Brewing a perfect cup of tea

In honour of London 2012s Opening Ceremonies look at British history and culture and what could be more British than black tea?
According to Northumbria Universitys School of Life Sciences, the following steps are key to the perfect cup:

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Pour 200ml freshly boiled water on top of your tea bag (in a mug)

Always use fresh, cold water in the kettle, as it contains more dissolved oxygen an important ingredient for great-tasting tea.
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Tea tip!

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Allow the tea to brew for two minutes

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Dont be fooled by the colour of the water after 30 seconds of steeping unless drinking hot, coloured water is what you were going for.

Tea tip!

Remove the tea bag with a spoon

Tea tip!
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Cream is never put in tea in Britain, and many residents think adding sugar is absolutely barbaric!

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In the U.S. and Canada, about 80% of all tea is consumed cold, in iced tea.

Did you know?

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Sit back and enjoy your perfect cup of tea
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Add 10ml of milk

WORLD TEA PRODUCTION

399
Millions of tonnes, 2010

Wait six minutes before drinking optimum tea temperature is 60C

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If you want stronger tea, add another tea bag. Your drink will be too bitter if left to infuse longer than two to three minutes.

Tea tip!

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China

India

Kenya Sri Lanka Turkey Vietnam Iran

Indonesia Argentina Japan

TYPES OF TEA
Except for herbal infusions, all tea is made from the Chinese Camellia Sinensis plant, a type of evergreen tree.

Green

Least processed Made by steaming leaves, rolling them and drying them until crisp Creates a green drink with a grassy avour

White

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Yellow

Buds and leaves are withered in natural sunlight Creates a pale yellow tea

Very rare Slow drying phase; damp leaves sit and yellow Creates a yellow-green tea

Black

Leaves air blown, rolled to release juices (fermented) and dried Creates a reddish-brown drink with strong taste

Oolong

Leaves partially fermented before dried Creates a greenishbrown drink that tastes in between green and black

Sources: Twinings of London; Northumbria University; Wikipedia

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY MEGAN DINNER/QMI AGENCY