Site Navigation

The Perfect Cup of Tea

Boil water. Warm the teapot by pouring a little of the water into the teapot, swirling it around and pouring out.

Place one teaspoon of loose tea per person, plus one extra 'for the pot' into the warmed teapot.

Fill with boiled water and stir with a long handled spoon to 'elevate' the tea. Place lid on teapot and leave to steep for 2 to 5 minutes. Stir again before pouring.

There are two schools of thought about whether the milk should be added to the cup before or after the tea. Debrett's Guide to Etiquette suggests that milk, cream, lemon or sugar should be added after the tea is poured. Tea lovers believe that milk, if required, should be poured into the cup first and the tea afterwards, which will scald the milk, giving the tea a different flavour.

The teacup should be held between fingers and thumb without the fingers curling around the handle. Never drink with the little finger in the air.