These are my step by step instructions on how to make a proper cup of tea (using British teabags). No fancy teacups here, just mugs.
Hopefully, by the time you’ve reached the bottom, you’ll know how to make a “proper” cup of tea. *BLETHER will be explained at the end of the post.
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I’ve been posting a lot of Italian recipes lately, so I’m going to do something British for a change. Since it’s an overcast, drizzly day here in Los Angeles (we don’t get a lot of those), it’s a perfect day for it, too.
My American “tea vs coffee” theory.
I have a theory that from the day of the Boston Tea Party, the US continued their boycott of tea for a very, very long time. Because it was obviously associated with the tyranny of the “mother country,” this is the reason that coffee became the preferred hot beverage in this country. What do you think?
Tea is an institution in the UK. Its fibers are woven into the British culture in such a way that it is difficult to describe to a “non-Brit.” I came across this video a while ago and was so awed by the impact a beverage can have on a country.
FYI to Americans, Eastenders is a popular soap-opera type show in the UK. When the show finishes, most viewers turn the kettle on for a cup of tea resulting in a huge surge for electricity!
Click here or the photo for my proper scone recipe. 😍
British Tea Bags
I put “proper” in quotation marks because this is my version of how to make a proper cup of tea. It’s not the “proper-proper” tea made with loose leaf tea, of course. What’s the point of making something properly if you don’t like it? In the UK they say to put one teabag per person and “one for the pot.” However, in my opinion that’s too strong for most people in the US who are used to a weaker tea.
If you are using a British brand of tea, which is already much stronger and has a lot more flavor than most US tea brands, you might just want to use a teabag per person. I like Ty-phoo and PG Tips for everyday tea, which are imported from the UK (I buy them on Amazon).
Three teabags for a 32 ounce pot, not completely filled to the rim (about 4 cups of tea) is perfect for my family, but if you decide to try this tea, experiment and see if you like it stronger, and adjust accordingly.
How to Make a Proper Cup of Tea
First of all, a proper-proper cup of tea is made with loose leaf tea, but most of us don’t have time for that on a daily basis, two or three times a day.
So this is mostly aimed at US households who are used to a Lipton teabag in hot water in a mug. This will be a big change in flavor for those of you.
Boil the water
First, bring water to a boil, but do not let it keep boiling. Remove it as soon as it comes to a boil. Hot water will not do. We want the tea leaves to infuse the flavor of the tea into the water, and tepid or hot water will not do this nearly as well as boiling water. I use an electric kettle because we make a lot of tea. (I don’t recommend my Breville anymore as it sometimes won’t shut off.)
You will also need a good teapot, preferably one made in the UK (they know their tea there).
I bought this little melamine trivet to keep my teapot warm when making tea so the granite countertop doesn’t cool the pot off too quickly.
Warm the teapot
So, when the kettle is almost boiling, put some water in the pot, just to warm up the teapot. Return the kettle to its base (or stovetop) to make it come to a full boil. Swirl the hot water around the pot and then drain it out. Make sure to have your teabags ready.
Add the teabags and water to the pot
I’m using a PG Tips and a Typhoo teabag together. This is something my daughter started doing, and we all liked the combination. When the water just comes to a boil, put the teabags in the teapot and immediately pour the water into the pot.
Use a tea cosy (if you have one)
Next, if you have a tea cosy, cover the pot. If not, use a heavy tea towel or something to keep the pot warm. You’ll discover that this also makes a big difference in the outcome of the flavor of the tea.
My daughter makes beautiful tea cosies, so email me if you’d like one.
Steep the tea
Let the tea steep for about 3 to 5 minutes; the longer you leave it, the stronger it will be. (Three minutes is too week for me, btw.)
Pour the tea
Now it’s time to pour.
Add milk, and/or sugar (I just add milk). Regarding the whole milk or tea first debate, it used to be that milk went in first to protect the china from cracking, so that’s no longer a reason. I think it’s a personal preference. I like to add the milk after so I can better control the ratio of milk to tea.
Now, enjoy with a Bourbon biscuit.
Or a Custard Cream or two, and delight in the fact that you know how to make a proper cup of tea!
Enjoy with any snack or cake, like this gluten free tea bread!
How to Make a “Proper" Cup of Tea (British Tea, that is)
How to make tea like a Brit.
Materials
- Tea pot
- British tea bags
Tools
- a kettle, electric or stovetop
Instructions
- Boil the water
- Warm the teapot
- Add the teabags and water to the pot.
- Use a tea cosy, if you have one.
- Steep the tea at least 5 minutes.
- Pour the tea and add milk and/or sugar if desired.
Notes
First of all, a proper-proper cup of tea is made with loose leaf tea, but most of us don’t have time for that on a daily basis, two or three times a day.
So this is mostly aimed at US households who are used to a Lipton teabag in hot water in a mug. This will be a big change in flavor for those of you.
Now for your Glaswegian
(Glasgow dialect) Lesson:
Basically, “to blether” means to chat–a lot.
“A blether” is someone who talks incessantly–gee, I wonder why I have this mug? :)
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[…] And don’t forget a cup of tea! […]
It’s so cringy to see Americans make such a fuss over this – just put a tea bag in a cup, pour boiling water over it and put some milk in once its’s steeped a few minutes – no longer than three as the tannins leech out and make it bitter – why is it so hard for you all?
Tea cosy? Mixing tea bags??? Wild.
An actual British person.
Cringe all you want because I AM an “actual British person.” You obviously know nothing about the tea making culture in the US. I’m trying to help people taste an actual good cup of tea in the US and don’t need to be berated and scoffed at as being bizarre.
Great article.I use PG Tips, makes a lovely cup of tea. Cant wait to try your scone recipe. What is the name of the floral cup/saucer in photo. For some reason I find tea tastes better in cup than from a mug. Personal choice.
Same as wine in a wine glass! :) The cup is from Arthur Wood and Son, but also Springfield makes the same pattern (bone china made in England) none of them have the design name, though.
Thanks for responding. Also did not see email address,would like info on tea cosies,mine works but getting old.
[…] beans, potato scones, grilled tomatoes, black pudding and don’t forget a nice hot, steaming mug of tea (with milk)! Haggis can also be added, but there’s plenty on the plate without […]
[…] that I’ve been having a lot of fun with. I wouldn’t say that I necessarily make myself a “proper cup of tea” every day, but I have been taking the time to slow down and enjoy a cup of tea in the […]
[…] been having a lot of fun with. I wouldn’t say that I necessarily make myself a “proper cup of tea” every day, but I have been taking the time to slow down and enjoy a cup of tea in the […]
[…] English […]
Great post thanks for sharing good helping words
[…] very few that actually tell you how to simply make a proper pot (or mug) of tea. But this one and this one do, and all your cold winter days will be so much the better for […]
Hi there,
I’m an avid loose leaf herbal and black tea drinker. What kind of loose leaf tea do you recommend for a proper-proper cuppa?
Thanks so much,
Jaclyn
Christina,
I really enjoyed your article about preparing a proper cup of tea. Would you please forward my request to your daughter about purchasing a tea cozy? I would like to see what patterns she has available and pricing, please.
Thank you.
Victoria
Thanks, Victoria. Yes, I’ll send her your info. :)
I would also money I see a pattern for a cozy.
I’m sorry?
Could you describe how to make a proper cup of tea using loose tea leaves? And the proper equipment needed?
Thank you.
Hi Barbara, same as using a tea bag, only when you pour it out, you will need a tea strainer to filter out the leaves. Enjoy!
FYI, not all USAmericans are ignorant of how to make a good cup of tea & not all of us like our tea weak either furthermore some communities of USAmericans in the south continued to drink tea after & everafter the infamous Boston Tea Party but in keeping with separating from the British purchased tea from other places.
I think you missed this, “So this is mostly aimed at US households who are used to a Lipton teabag in hot water in a mug. This will be a big change in flavor for those of you.” Also, I’m pointing out that coffee is the beverage of choice, over tea, in the US. Whereas it’s tea over coffee in the UK.
If I am correct, the tea that is popular in the South is sweet tea and not had with milk. Thanks for your comment.
It’s definitely sweet, and also iced. American Southerners rarely drink hot tea.
Correct, I should have added that. I was thinking iced tea, but never wrote it.
My experience from parents who are from the South, adding mint leaves to ice tea is another favorite.
BTW, really enjoy this conversation on making proper British tea.
I know nothing about the southern iced tea culture, but I did try sweet tea in Nashville (it was way too sweet for me, but am sure there are many variations). I really have to visit the Southern US!!
I see your point, Cat. People often think of Americans as drinking Lipton tea bags in a mug. While many do, I think a lot of people do this out of convenience. We often don’t have time to make a full pot of tea to enjoy 3 times a day. In many places of employ, even a coffee break is seen as a nuisance, whereas in UK, tea time is an institution as much steeped into their culture as their tea in their cups.
I can understand the slight annoyance at being looked at as an amateur for how we make tea. The common irritation is with how hot the water is. Many people just microwave their water in a mug until it boils, and many people mix their flavors or use more than one tea bag to their desired strength as well, but many just stick with the simple portion provided in the bag. Steeping leaves in boiling water is hardly nuanced, and I hardly equate making it in a pretty pot as being more ‘proper’ than someone in a hurry using microwaved water and a mug.
However, when you have the time to actually enjoy pouring everything into a separate pot and making edibles like biscuits and scones to sit down with your loved ones and enjoy a beautifully presented cup of coffee or tea, it’s a lovely experience (if you like coffee and tea). I find more and more people drinking less coffee and more tea, and enjoying the many different brands and flavors offered.
Hear, hear, Nat!
Hi, I enjoyed this blog post and just thought I’d add a comment on your technique.
I’m English and tea has always been a huge thing for us here as you know. I can’t actually remember a time in my life when I didn’t drink tea as it’s often seen as a cure for every problem in life, from headaches to nausea to feeling glum!
I’m glad you mentioned that teabags in a teapot are not the “proper” way to make tea and to be honest I tried bags in the pot once out of lazyness thinking making a pot would save me having to get up again to make another cup so soon. I found it quite unpleasant compared to the loose leaf tea which is odd considering I am ok with a teabag in a cup.
You are right that you need to boil and not just heat the water but when you pour the water into the pot, or onto the teabag if it’s in a cup it should not still be boiling as this can scorch the leaves which taints the taste, so basically just wait until it stops bubbling and then pour.
When pouring from the pot there is an order in which to do it. It goes milk first, then tea, then sugar. This is because pouring the tea into the milk means the taste of the milk is not as impacted by the tea as when you do it the other way around. It’s a subtle difference but there you go. To be fair, most of us do use teabags for convenience as we make so many cups of tea per day, often in a hurry and with those you can’t (or shouldn’t) add the milk before the water in a cup as the milk hinders the ability of the tea to infuse by partly blocking the holes in the bag but for the best cup of tea, from the pot, discretely ignoring the bag issue lol, the order that I just listed is the way to achieve the best tea.
Also, if you want an ideal snack to go with it, something about the taste of Jamaican Ginger cake goes perfectly with a cup of tea (as do English style bacon sandwiches but that’s another topic!).
Thank you for addressing “Milk first, then tea.” I had learned that this is the “proper” way to make tea. Particularly in England.
Don’t know how I missed these comments, but this is not the “everyday” way of making tea. I don’t think anyone would have more than a cup a week if this was done daily! Maybe for an afternoon tea at the Ritz, but not in our homes. And as far as the milk first, then tea; I HATE milk first and don’t know why it tastes so different, but it does. If you like it that way, go ahead, but I’ll recommend it the other way around as most Brits do, too.
Yes, all this is correct – if you’re a posh xxxx.
Get a grip Sophia and stop perpetuating the idea of the sophisticated Brit to these Yanks – the majority of us in the UK just chuck a teabag in a Sports Direct mug and have it over with. Sort it out lass.
I took the liberty of editing one word in your comment, but have to leave it because you are spot on! We usually have 2 to 4 mugs of tea to make in my house which is why we always use a teapot. The difference in the UK is better tea bags and the water makes a massive difference, too. Our bag in a mug tastes much different to yours.
I love your site! I spent 10 days in Scotland in August 2018. My heritage is there and my family occupied Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, for 400 years (Burnett).
I would like to purchase one of your daughter’s tea cozies, please. Please let me know designs and prices. Thank you!
Janet Burnett Miller
Hi Janet, thank you so much! My apologies for my late reply as I’ve been traveling through Europe for the last month. What a great family history! Lucky you!
I will be home later this week and have my daughter send the fabric designs and prices for you then. Stay tuned~ CC :)
[…] different kinds of tea for different occasions. The one that can be drunk with milk is the regular type. A plain tea bag […]
I’m brand new…I’ll check thingfs out and get back with you =-)
Enjoy!
I plan on purchasing Decaf PG Tips from Amazon but first I have a question for you. After reading Amazon reviews, some say along with the new packaging the tea now also tastes different and not in a good way. Have you noticed a difference? I’ve never had it so I have nothing to compare it to. Also, I like your thoughts about why the US has a love for coffee over tea. I tried to pull up the video on the impact tea has had on the UK, but the video is no longer available. Do you know of a new link where it can be viewed?
Hi Mary Louise, I honestly can’t comment on the decaf since I’ve never tried it. I do like the Typhoo because it comes sealed in smaller packages. Regarding the video, I’ve replaced the link, so you can view it now. Thanks for the heads up on that! Let me know what you think about whatever tea you order. :)
Love this post… ever since visiting the U.K. in Sept. 2018 (11 days in Scotland, 10 days in England, 2 days in Wales) I’ve had the overwhelming need to put the kettle on every afternoon! I use your method, but my pot contains 1 bag each of PG Tips, Taylor’s of Harrogate Yorkshire tea and Edinburgh Tea and Coffee Co. Scottish Breakfast tea. It makes a lovely, well-rounded brew.
I adore Scottish food too! Have made shepherd’s pie, mince with tatties and neeps and Cranachan several times. Next on my list are your scones, mincemeat tarts and the haggis, neeps and tatties with whisky sauce, as soon as my Grant’s haggis arrives. I’ve found a local farmer who raises organic lamb and sells the livers and hearts quite reasonably, just need to find sheep stomachs then I’m making my own haggis, I hope!
Oh good for you, Sandi! You’re brave to try making the haggis, but I’m sure it will be amazing! So happy you love Scottish food and have been making so many of my recipes! Thank you so much! If you sign up for my subscription, you can read about the challenge I’m doing this year and you can enter by sending in a photo of a monthly dish. Keep in touch! CC
I recently.stopped drinking caffeine everything due to Migraines. Decaf coffee makes no sense to me. So decaf tea has been my go to.
I found the PG Tips at a shop where I live and they had decaf !
It’s awesome and as I look at your post I make it the same way only I use Italian Sweetened Creamer. I just need to get Digestives to enjoy with my tea.
Cool! Have you tried this barley drink? This may be another option for you. I usually drink tea, but once in a while, I do love some orzo! Let me know if you try it, Dami. :)
Hello again Christina, really pleased I found your site.getting close to winter now over here,garden ready for winter looks a bit bare to be honest dont really like winter gardening. house you might say ship shape Bristol fashion. wife at work sitting here with our two pugs ,going through your past catalogue we both love Italian food I’m doing carbonara for tonights tea/ supper . going to find your recipe and give it a try. back to the tea brewing all what you say is spot on (can’t tell a Brit how to brew a cuppa char) pg and typhoon are in the main good tea won’t dispute that Christina, BUT have you tried twinings or Taylor’s of Harrogate. smashing brews, do you know the tale of the tea shops in Britain and Ireland couple hundred years ago there was explosion of coffee shops all over the land.,but they couldn’t all make a living so a certain mr twining decided to open a tea shop in London and the British tea shop was born , do try twinings English breakfast tea.catch you again Christina. Micky.d
Of course I have! Unfortunately, Twinings was on the “bad” list of containing the most chemicals of teas, the last I checked. :( Nothing is safe anymore, it’s very sad. Thanks for your note and enjoy the Carbonara! :)
I buy RedRose. Originally available only in Canada, but now its available in the US. No chemicals used in its growth. Its on the good list!
I remember drinking that when we first moved to the US. My mum collected all the little animals!!!
[…] How to Make a Perfect Cup of British Tea […]
Do you have a recipe for the biscuits in the picture. I clicked through your recipes and I didn’t see one. I love this kind, not a big fan of chocolate. Horrible I know.
I haven’t posted that recipe, but they are Anzac biscuits, an Australian recipe. Here’s a good one:
https://www.annabel-langbein.com/recipes/annabels-anzac-biscuits/1990/
You may also like Custard Creams-they are a melt in your mouth type biscuit:
https://www.christinascucina.com/how-to-woo-a-brit-bake-them-homemade-custard-creams/ ENJOY!
I’ve just stumbled across your website whilst searching for a thick Italian hot chocolate recipe and seen your post for making tea. I love it ! As a Brit, sat here in the UK on my day off, a very sunny and warm April day off (warm weather-we thought it had gone forever…) I’ll be putting the kettle on for a cuppa in a mo. I may have a wander around your website first, some great recipes to feast my eyes on. Toodle Pip :o)
Hi Charlotte! I’m so glad you are getting some warm weather as I know how hard your winter has been! Happy you found my site and hope you enjoy some of my recipes and travel (I have a free subscription for updates, if you like)! :)
OMG having been called a blether since (probably before) I could talk, I MUST find that cup!
Just found, and love your wee site.
Stacy
Haha! You must be like me! Glad you found my site and hope you can get your hands on the mug, Stacy!
[…] the mini sandwiches to the petite desserts, everything, including the tea (which as you might now, I’m quite picky about), and the service was spot on. Sue, Cynthia […]
[…] Continue until all the biscuits and filling are used. Finally, enjoy with a steaming hot, cup of tea! […]
Christina, I’m new to your blog but I love it already! You’re a woman after my own heart because you believe in unpretentious cooking with real, high-quality ingredients. Already I’ve bookmarked at least 10 to try in the upcoming months …
And of course you’re a woman after my own heart for appreciating a good cup of tea! However, with this post, I admit you slightly disappoint me, as you will NEVER get a ‘proper’ cup of English tea with tea bags — good loose tea truly gives a nicer flavor. Mind you, I was shockedhow difficult it was to be able to find loose tea in the U.K., especially since it’s relatively easy (outside of most supermarketes, that is) to find it here in Greece. My English grandmother is rolling over in her grave :-(.
I imagine it’s not easy in the U.S. either, unless you go for one of those posh brands which are, usually, overpriced. Shall I send you my very favorite “Payne” which we drink here?! If so, be prepared to publish a retraction :-)
Ah Anna! You posted this when I just left for France last September! So sorry I’m just seeing this now!
Glad you like my site and I will respond to your tea comment. As you see, I’ve put “proper” in quotes. Maybe I should have explained in more detail, for day to day tea drinking, most of the the population in the UK is using tea bags (as you confirmed). Compared to what is available in the US, like Lipton and Red Rose, these tea bags and 100x better tasting.
I agree, loose leaf is the proper way to make tea, but as we all seem to have such harried lifestyles nowawadays, most of us have to stick to the bags and I’m not complaining if I have at least Typhoo and PG Tips! :)
Again, sorry for the late reply. When I’m not traveling I respond within a day or two to every comment!
Take care, Christina :)
Yes, according to my grandfather Nicoll, that is the way to make a “proper” pot of tea. I can not tell you how many pots we would consume on family Sunday dinners. I love it, but just plain. It’s so good for you, too. Oh yes, and a bletherer…my grandmother would listen to someone tell a tall tale and turn to me and say “Ack, he’s a bletherer” LOLOL She’d be so angry! I laughed when I saw your tea mug!
So funny, Barbara! Glad the mug brought back memories! :)
Those biscuits look yummy! Are they homemade or shop bought? If homemade, can you share the recipe, please?
Hi Crystal, they are actually homemade! They are Australian Anzac biscuits which I’ve wanted to add to my posts, but have yet to do so. Will try to add them soon, but you can find many recipes online. :)
I grew up making tea like this at my Gramma’s. There was heavy UK influence on both sides of the family. However as an adult after breaking multiple tea pots I moved to a stainless steel one, Henley.
Ooh, that’s painful to hear, Laurie! Broken teapots would do that to me, too! I usually stock up on tea pots when I go to boot sales and charity shops in the UK (the ones made in England are the best, and not full of lead) and luckily, I don’t break many! :)
[…] so attentive, yet unobtrusive. She poured our tea and I couldn’t help capturing the moment. Properly made tea is such a joy, especially since it’s a rare occasion in the US (black tea should never be […]
I love the idea of the “right” way to make tea. I’m going to try it with my special tea.
Thanks, Sandi! Is is black tea? There are different types of tea that shouldn’t be made with boiling water. If it’s black, I’m sure you’ll taste the difference!
[…] tea at least twice a day, so my tea cosy definitely gets a workout. Using a tea cosy really makes a better cup of tea as it keeps the pot so much warmer. Check out Denisa’s Etsy shop for different patterned […]
Im American but absolutely love tea. I usually dont order a cup.of tea from..restaurants here in America because the water is never hot enough so tea tastes flat and i always bring my own tea bags so i can get a ” proper ” cup of tea IF they will specialty boil the water
[…] How to Make a Perfect Cup of British Tea […]
My Mom was from Nova Scotia, so I grew up drinking tea 3-4 times a day. Every time I drink a cup I remember my Mom and just enjoy my tea-time! Thank you so much for your great directions on making a perfect cup of tea! I’m going to go shopping for one of those electric tea kettles! A great idea!
[…] And here’s how to make a “proper” cup of tea! […]
fitness ceny
How to Make a âProper Cup of Tea (British Tea, that is)
Some good (PG) tips! I’ve been getting into South American yerba mate tea lately, and it is not supposed to come to a boil. Sometimes I get the water too hot and have to let it sit before pouring it into my teapot! Even though it has more caffeine than other tea, the high is much calmer.
That’s so funny, I just wrote to Lana that boiling water will make herbal tea taste better too, unless it specifically says not to use boiling water! I’ve never heard of yerba mate tea-will have to check into it. Thanks, Adair :)
I always make tea with hot water, but now it seems I need to visit some estate sales and find me a tea cozy! Yes, I also take my tea with milk – only herbal teas I drink with lemon, rather than milk:)
Using boiling water will bring out more flavor in your herbal teas, too (unless there are some which specifically say not to use boiling water).
Oh good! So glad you’ll give it a try, Kelly! Cost Plus has both brands (at least they do here in LA.) You probably want to stick with milk (whole, 1% or 2%) with this tea. Save the cream for the scones…something I will post later!
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it! CC
Christina,
Love this! I’ve been drinking hot tea with milk or cream for a while—went to a place in Tecumseh and tried the clotted cream—fell in love. Won’t go back -cuz my waistline would suffer!!!! LOL But I’ll give your brand a try—I usually shop at Trader Joe’s, but I’m thinking some “Proper” Tea might be a good thing!!!
Thanx Friend
Kelly