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
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.
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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 the following 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.
The teabags doing their job!
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).
Now, enjoy with a biscuit or two, and delight in the fact that you know how to make a proper cup of tea!
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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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! :)
[…] 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