Okay, so today I decided to do a little experiment with Tetley Black Tea. Nothing fancy, just wanted to see how different steeping times and methods affected the flavor.

My Tea Brewing Experiment

First, I grabbed my usual mug and boiled some fresh water. You know, the basic starting point.

• Round 1: I popped a Tetley tea bag into the mug and poured the boiling water right over it. I let it steep for about 3 minutes, which is what I usually do. The result? Pretty standard, you know, a decent cup of tea. Nothing to write home about, but it hit the spot.
• Round 2: This time, I wanted to see if a longer steep made a difference. Same process – tea bag in mug, boiling water poured – but I let this one sit for a full 5 minutes. Honestly? It was noticeably stronger, a bit more bitter. Maybe a little too strong for my liking.
• Round 3: I am thinking about the water temperature.I used water that was slightly off the boil – you know, let it sit for a minute or two after boiling. Steeped for 4 minutes.

  The taste has some different, it has a little bit bitter and less strong.

• Round 4: Okay, last one. I decided to get a little “fancy.” I pre-warmed the mug with some hot water, then discarded that water. Tea bag in, boiling water over it, and I covered the mug with a small plate while it steeped for 4 minutes. I thought this might keep the heat in better. And you know what? It did seem a bit more robust, maybe a touch smoother than the first cup.

So, what did I learn from this thrilling tea adventure? Well, steeping time definitely matters. Too short, and it’s weak; too long, and it’s bitter. Pre-warming the mug might have helped a bit, but it wasn’t a huge difference. And using water just off the boil made it not too *, finding that sweet spot is key, and it’s probably a little different for everyone. I think I’ll stick with around 3-4 minutes, and maybe I’ll pre-warm the mug when I’m feeling extra particular.