Q&A for How to Make a Good Cup of Tea

Sure, but many people prefer adding milk in afterwards! Just bring it to a boil like you would when making hot cocoa. Chai tea is especially good when made with milk :)

Yes. You can either microwave a cup of water until it boils or boil water in a sauce pan.

Whether you add milk or lemon (or nothing at all) depends on the type of tea and your personal preference. Indian chai tea is normally made with milk and lemon wouldn't really go well with it, while Earl Grey tea goes better with lemon (at least in my opinion, there are people whose opinions differ in that regard).

No, that will ruin the kettle and the tea. Instead, place loose tea in a teapot or directly into the cup.

There are different kinds of herbal tea, and they can be different colors.

A tea bag only needs to steep about 3-5 minutes to obtain full flavor. If a stronger tea is desired, leave the bag in longer.

It's entirely up to your own taste (and health goals, if you have those). It's healthiest not to add any sugar, but you might like the taste better with a teaspoon or two (or even more) of sugar. Try out different combinations and see what you prefer.

Of course they can! Tea has many natural health benefits, and a lot of kids really like it.

Milk is usually added to tea in England, but not in most other parts of the world. You can add it if you'd like.

It depends on the amount of tea you are making, and personal preference. Usually a teaspoon will be sufficient for a 200 ml cup.

The general rule of thumb is one for each person and one for the pot. If you're only making tea for yourself, it depends on how strong you like it. Add more leaves if you like it stronger tea, and less if you like it weaker.

This is personal preference and doesn't make much of difference.

It depends on the tea. Herbal teas are very good and have different benefits depending on the herb.

No, because that ruins your kettle. To make a tea, you put only the water into the kettle - not the sugar and the tea bag; that goes afterward.

The best way to keep loose leaves out of your tea is to use a strainer, this way they don't get into the tea in the first place.

No. It is a very healthy and good to drink as it helps you to cool down and heal stress.

That's accurate for some teas but not others, it depends on the tea type and quality. I usually steep for 1 minute which makes a strong but not bitter tea. I think that the person's preference might be steeping for 6 minutes or they left the teabag in by accident when waiting for the cup to cool.

Jasmine flowers are combined with a tea base. The base can be any sort of tea, but usually green or white tea. Steeping it for around 1.5 minutes should be able to bring out the taste.

If you don't have a tea bag but you have tea leaves, wrap the tea leaves in a paper towel.

If you are serving tea from a teapot, each person should sweeten their tea according to his/her personal preference after it is poured into the cup.

It should be added when the water is boiling because it will bring out the flavor better that way.

No. Anybody can make tea.

It depends on your personal preference. Honey is healthier than sugar, but also produces a different taste than sugar would.

Just as some like cream in their coffee and some don't, it depends on what you prefer.

Fill the machine with cold water as it will boil the water itself. Always check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand.

It does not have to be boiled, though it is recommended for the best results.

A peppermint fusion in tea can have a refreshing effect. It is good for your digestive system and fresh breath.

It depends. I use teabags, and I usually add my teabag to the cup first and then pour in the hot water. That way the leaves can soak as soon as the water hits them. If you're using plain tea leaves, perhaps you could use a teapot and filter the leaves in the pot with the boiled water before pouring it into your cup.

If you're planning on adding anything to the tea, like milk, then I would only fill the cup up about halfway with tea. (You don't want it to overflow after adding the milk.) If you're just having plain tea, then you can pour as much as you'd like.

Yes, you can either add a pinch of cinnamon, clove, star anise, cardamom etc. to enhance the aroma and taste of the tea. Some people add all of these in small quantities. They either grind all of it or crush them and put it in. Make sure these spices are in the tea for long enough until boiled. Having them before it boils can make the body feel warmer. It is good for when the climate is cold, also.