Tea etiquette Archives - Professional Courtesy, LLC

How to Brew the Perfect Pot of Tea

January 28, 2015 by procourtesy

Glass tetic tea on a black wooden table and o Tea aficionados are very particular about the brewing of their tea; whether it is loose or in a tea bag. The water, the temperature and brewing time affects the quality and taste of the final product. Here are some tips on how to brew the “perfect” pot of tea.

Run cold water from the faucet for at least one minute. Then fill the tea kettle with sufficient water to warm the teapot and
make the tea. Filtered water is often used.
When water is near boiling, pour some into the teapot and swirl it around to warm the pot.
Measure a rounded teaspoon of tea for each cup of water the teapot holds. Add an extra teaspoon if a strong tea is preferred. The tea may be placed directly in the pot or use a tea infuser or filter. If you put the leaves directly into the teapot, stir the liquid and strain or decant the steeped tea into another heated pot.
Steeping time depends on the size of the leaf. Any black tea should steep at least three minutes; very few require more than six minutes. Formosa oolong calls for seven minutes, and most green teas about one to three minutes. Green tea is brewed at a lower temperature. Steeping any tea too long can make the tea bitter.
Pour the tea into the cup before adding milk, lemon or sugar. Do not use milk and lemon together; it can curdle the milk.

When in doubt about the brewing time for a certain type of tea, do a little research. Here’s hoping your next “cuppa” is perfect.

Tea Tips and Info

January 25, 2015 by procourtesy

Fresh Tea Leaves from garden.

Tea Tips

January is National Tea Month. Here are some tea tips and info to raise your tea I.Q.

Owl in one of the Pooh books said, “Come along inside. We’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.”

China’s oldest wild tea-plant is a tree about 1700 years old growing in Yunnan Province.
Oldest cultivated tree is over 800 years old
Small leaf tea is in China (Camellia Sinensis Sinensis.)
Large leaf tea comes from Assam (Camellia Assamica)
Tea is harvested every week to 10 days for the duration of the growing season.
Tea is to China what wine is to France.
“Ten thousand” is the Chinese description of too many to count.
“Ten thousand” teas is the Chinese way of saying all of the tea in China.
Six categories of tea according to Chinese: green tea, white tea, yellow tea (unknown to westerners), black tea, dark black tea, and scented or floral tea.
Green Teas are hard to keep “ has no keeping quality”- solution was to roll flat leaf into pellet shaped balls, Chinese name was Zhucha or pearl tea, rest of world calls it Gunpowder
Gunpowder leaf is picked any time, it is not a tea of distinction.
Gunpowder tea is a favorite tea in Morocco and Middle East, served with mint and lots of sugar. Heavier than other tea, you need ½ the amount of dry leaf.
Chinese black tea did not appear until after Ming Dynasty.
Keemun is the finest black tea in the world.
Yin Hao Jasmine is the top grade Jasmine tea.
Jasmine Pearls have limited production “only hearts colder than children could fail to be enchanted.”

Try a fresh loose leaf tea sometime and taste the difference from the usual “bagged” tea.

Afternoon Tea is Not High Tea

January 10, 2013 by procourtesy

Afternoon Tea and Beyond

Afternoon Tea is Not High Tea
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea”. Henry James

I often hear people describe an “afternoon” tea as “high” tea. I suspect this is their way of making it sound special. However, the two are distinctly different and should not be confused. Below is a list of descriptions for the various types of tea that one could host or participate in.

Afternoon Tea includes three distinct courses – tiny sandwiches, scones, pastries and tea.
Cream Tea is a light repast that calls for scones, jam, clotted cream and choice of tea.
Light Tea is a lighter version of afternoon tea. Sandwiches are not usually included.
Full Tea is a complete four-course menu which includes finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and dessert along with choice of tea.
Royal Tea is also a complete four-course menu, but the addition of a glass of champagne or sherry gives it the distinction of royal.
High Tea is a simple but hearty sit down meal which originated during the Industrial Revolution. The menu often includes meat pies, Welsh rarebit, sausage, cold meats, breads, cheese, jam, butter, relishes, desserts, fruits and tea. And it is served later in the day, often around 6:00 p.m. It can take the place of the evening meal.

There is something about having tea that evokes a heightened sense of civility. If you have never had afternoon tea in a fine restaurant where they do it well, I suggest you give it a try sometime. It is one of my favorite things to do when I am in a big city or in a restaurant known for their wonderful teas. If you are unable to travel or find a place in your city, try doing a tea for friends and family in your home. It is a wonderful way to entertain. And no “extended pinkies”; that is not proper etiquette.

How to Brew the Perfect Pot of Tea

Tea Tips and Info

Afternoon Tea is Not High Tea

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