Q&A for How to Make English Tea

Breakfast tea has a stronger flavor and higher caffeine content.

Twinings has been around for over 300 years, so they are certainly one of the more reputable brands of tea available.

It really depends on the tea, but for a black tea, you might enjoy a digestive, a sultana or a shortbread biscuit. For an Earl Grey, try a slice of jaffa (chocolate and orange) cake to highlight the bergamot notes in the tea.

Sugar is a choice, not a must-have. Don't add the sugar if you don't want it, many tea drinkers don't use sugar and much prefer it that way. Or, you might like to use a sugar-free substitute such as stevia.

Definitely, for if you don't the leaves will float around the cup and they're not pleasant to drink down with the liquid. There are many single-cup or teapot tea leaf strainers available and some of them are cute enough to collect if you love all things tea.

No. The tea will have a stronger flavor if you do not add milk though.

Cream isn't usually put in tea. The fat and heavier content of the cream can sometimes ruin the whole cup of tea. Half and half, however, is put in tea by some people. But in the end, either is acceptable to put in your cup. After all, it's your cup of tea and your taste preferences.

For your own use, it's fine, though uncommon, and it won't be as flavorful. It's bad manners to give a guest a used tea bag. In fact, guests should be afforded the pleasure and quality of loose tea.

The first bullet under Step 1 suggests some English brands. If you're in the U.S., you can try Bigelow, Twinings, Dilmah, or Harney & Sons.

Normally one per mug, or a minimum of two for a pot. Tastes vary, so experiment to see what you like!

It doesn't really matter because it mixes with the hot tea. Cold milk will cool down the tea more quickly.

You didn't let it steep enough. It will be brown after you add milk if you've let it steep long enough.

It dilutes to the tea so its taste isn't as strong, and it gives the tea a creamier, mellower flavor.

No, the milk can be any temperature. It will get hot once blended with the hot tea.

You should add milk after you remove the tea bag.

No, because you have to wait a few minutes for the tea to brew.The water will get slightly cooler than earlier, so if you use sweetened condensed milk, it won't dissolve. Also, the tea will end up being quite sticky.

It can be used as a substitute for the liquid in baked goods or dishes such as pot roast. You can also just discard it.

Use it as you would coffee-mate powder. Just add a teaspoon at a time, until you get to your desired liking.

Whole milk. Usually marketed as "Vitamin D Pasteurized Whole Milk," it can be purchased at the local market.

Yes, although this may weaken the flavour of the tea.

If you're asking about the actual bag itself, I recommend trying Clipper's bags, which are natural and more earth-friendly than the normal paper ones. However, any type of tea bag would work, really.

It depends if you want caffeine in your tea. If you use a tea without caffeine, have it before bed, rather than as a morning pick-me-up.

Many English tea drinkers put milk and sugar in their tea, but also many don't. It's your decision whether you want it or not.

Yes. This can help you reduce the boiling time, saving money and taking care of the environment.

It is viewed as improper because it cools down the tea when adding it to the cup, meaning its harder to dissolve sugar in.

It doesn't really matter. Adding the milk second is traditional - this is thought to scald the milk, but unless you have a very refined palate or you use a lot of milk and hardly any tea, you won't taste the difference.

The milk is usually added cold, between fridge and room temperature. You could try heating it a little if you like, but not too much, or it could get scalded (changing the flavour) or separate.