Tasty Tea Tips

Warm up with a cup of one of the seasons healthiest hot beverages – tea! It's easy to brew a perfect pot, but not necessarily simple. Culinary Director Rachael Perron offers up some tips for masterful brewing:

• Use filtered water for the cleanest taste.
• Fully open your tap and let it run for 30 sec. to allow for maximum aeration of the water; oxygenated water helps activate the release of flavor from the tea. If using bottled water, shake it vigorously before heating.
• White and green teas are more delicate than black, red and herbal teas. After bringing water to a boil, let it cool slightly before adding these tender teas.
• Steep tea for 1-4 min. to taste, bearing in mind that black, red and herbal teas should generally steep longer than white or green tea.
• If brewing in a cup instead of a pot, be sure to cover the cup with a saucer as you steep to maintain both heat and flavor.
• Don't squeeze the tea bag over your cup. Doing so adds extra tannins from the leaves, which may make tea more bitter.