How to Make Tea: Your Step-By-Step Guide

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Tea is an essential part of the day for many of us, so it deserves care and attention at every step. Learning how to make tea the right way brings out the full flavour of your leaves and turns a simple drink into a moment of tradition and calm. In this guide, we'll show you:


How to make tea with tea bags in a mug or cup

Now, the elegance of a teapot is always the best way to enjoy tea, but sometimes making a single mug or cup is a convenient alternative. 

  1. Pick the variety of tea that suits your taste or occasion. Need inspiration? Explore our guide to the different types of tea to find your perfect match.

  2. Boil fresh water in a kettle.

  3. Add your tea bag to your favourite mug or teacup. 

  4. Wait at least 30 seconds for the water to cool, then pour it into your cup over the tea bag. 

  5. Steep your tea for around 2–5 minutes, depending on the type of tea and the instructions on the packaging. We'd generally recommend:

  • Black tea: 3–5 minutes

  • Green tea: 2–3 minutes

  • Herbal tea: 5–7 minutes

  1. Remove the tea bag, but don't squeeze, as this can make the tea bitter.

  2. Add a splash of milk, sugar, lemon, or honey to taste.

  3. Stir and enjoy.

How to make a pot of tea

Table set for afternoon tea with Burlegh Blue and Blossom Calico.jpg

Making tea in a teapot follows the same steps as above; the key here is making sure you have a good teapot that pours drip-free. You can use teabags or loose leaf tea. If you're using loose leaf, it's just like making tea with a tea bag, but with a few extra steps to keep the tea contained. 

  1. Choose your tea.

  2. Boil fresh water.

  3. Add a cupful of hot water to the pot to warm it up. Leave to stand for one minute, then discard. This is an important step!

  4. Measure around 1 teaspoon of tea per cup, plus an extra teaspoon for the pot. If you prefer bags, then it's one bag per person, plus one for the pot. 

  5. Add the tea directly to the pot.

  6. Once the rest of the water in the kettle has cooled a little (this is important so as not to burn the leaves), pour water over the tea, making sure tea leaves are fully submerged.

  7. Steep for around 2–5 minutes.

  8. Pour your tea. If you have used leaves, then place a strainer over your cup before you pour.

  9. Add milk, sugar, lemon, or honey to taste. Remember to add milk second, not first. 

  10. Stir and enjoy.

Secrets to making the perfect cup of tea

There are a few subtle secrets to making the perfect cup of tea that even seasoned tea drinkers can overlook. 

First of all, always use freshly drawn cold water. Re-boiled water can lose oxygen, which makes your tea taste flat and dull.

Secondly, pay attention to the temperature of your water. Black teas prefer hotter water (around 100°C), while green and white teas are best brewed slightly cooler (70–85°C) to avoid bitterness. So, leave the water to cool a little after boiling before you use it. Never microwave the tea. This will result in a hot drink, but it will taste a million times better if you follow this guide.

Finally, using well-made ceramic teaware can make a huge difference, as it can hold heat more evenly and pour more smoothly. In fact, Burleigh teapots hide a secret piece of clay in the spout, called a 'grid', that stops your tea from dripping and ensures a clean and elegant pour — a small detail that makes every teatime feel refined.

The perfect cup of tea is all in the preparation. Now you know how to make tea the right way, it's time to elevate the experience with hand-decorated pieces from the Burleigh collection. Alongside beautifully crafted mugs, teacups, and teapots, you'll also find a selection of sugar bowls and milk jugs, plus cake stands to make tea time feel extra special.

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