Buy the best-quality tea you can afford. Try different varieties of tea to make a change; some of the most interesting types are on pages 21-22.
Tea loses flavour when exposed to the air, so when you open a packet transfer the tea to an airtight container. Teabags should be treated in the same way.
Always take fresh water from the cold tap; this makes a surprising difference to the taste of the tea.
Just before the water comes to the boil, pour some into the teapot to warm it. Pour out all the water when the teapot is thoroughly heated.
Add the amount of tea required – the old saying ‘one teaspoon per person and one for the pot’ is generally right, although some tea experts recommend one teaspoon per cup.
Pour the water over the tea as soon as it comes to the boil. Cover and wait for 3 minutes or a little longer if using tea with a fairly large leaf.
The tea is now ready to pour. You can strain it into the cups or pour straight from the teapot.
Serve with milk or lemon, and sugar, or try the tea just by itself.
