There is nothing like a perfect cup of tea. It can be enjoyed at any time of day - in the morning, during afternoon tea time or in the evening before bed. A great cuppa, as our friends across the Atlantic Ocean in Britain call it, can have an almost mystical power to elevate your spirits, brighten your day and generally lift you out of a funk.

There are so many varieties of tea to choose from, but the main types of tea are black, green or herbal tea. A strong cup of traditional black tea can give you the kick you need to start your day. Green tea has its own unique flavor and is packed with healthy antioxidants. Herbal tea has so many flavor combinations it can be hard to choose a favorite. Whatever tea you choose, taking a few minutes for a great cup of tea can be the difference between a good day and a great day!

What should I Use to Brew My Tea?

Making the perfect cup of tea is easy, but it can take some finesse. First, you will need to choose whether to brew your tea in a tea pot vs kettle. A tea pot is normally used to brew loose leaf tea, and it can be made of glass, porcelain or other materials. Usually, a tea pot contains an infuser for loose leaf tea or tea bags, and the hot water is poured over the tea and into the pot in order to brew the tea.

A tea kettle, on the other hand, is placed directly on the stove top to heat up the water. There are also electric tea kettles which can be plugged-in to heat the water. Tea kettles are mainly made out of metal or stainless steel, and have a whistle to indicate when to remove the kettle off the burner when the water is at a boil. The hot water is then poured over a tea bag directly into a cup. Tea kettles are more common and user-friendly, so here are some suggestions on how to make tea in a kettle.

How to Use A Tea Kettle

1. First, you will need to start with the water. Cold, filtered water is best as it does not contain the sulfur and metals that tap water can sometimes have. Fill an empty kettle with 1 cup of cold water. Try not to use previously-boiled or distilled water. Again, filtered water is best but tap water can be fine.
2. Place the kettle on the stove top and turn on the stove. If you are using an electric kettle, plug in the kettle and turn it on.
3. Bring the water to a boil. When the water is ready, the kettle will whistle and you can remove the kettle from the stove top. Be sure to use a towel or oven mitt if your kettle handle does not have a heat-resistant covering. Remember to turn off the stove. An electric kettle will shut-off automatically.
4. Warm the cup. It is a tiny detail, but it will make your tea stay hotter longer. Rinse out your cup with some boiling water before pouring the hot water over the tea bag or loose leaf tea.
5. Add water. Fill your cup about 4/5 full if you wish to leave room for milk and sugar. Pour the water slowly and be careful to keep the hot kettle from touching your skin.
6. Let the tea steep. Allow black tea about 3 minutes to steep, and green or herbal tea around 5 minutes. Follow the directions on the tea package for recommended steep times.
7. Add sweetener or milk (or not) and enjoy!

Suggested Tea Kettles

There are so many fun and funky tea kettles out there! You can choose a sleek stainless steel kettle, or go for a jewel-toned tea kettle to add a pop of color to your kitchen. Making tea a part of your daily routine has so many benefits both physically and mentally. Taking a few minutes for a warm cuppa can be relaxing, calming and soothing – so why not give it a try!