When making tea, you might put the tea bag in after adding the water without thinking. However, you’ll get a more delicious cup when you prepare the tea in the correct order. So, when do you add the tea bag to the cup?
You should put the tea bag in the cup first, then pour your hot water over the top of it. To get the best cup of tea, boil your water, then give it a few minutes to cool off the heat. Add the tea bag to your cup, gently pour the water over it, then let the tea steep for a short time.
If you follow these tea preparing instructions, you’re sure to get the perfect cup of tea every time! There’s more to learn about preparing your favorite teas; everything you need to know is in this article.
Why Put the Tea Bag in First
You should put the tea bag in the cup before adding the hot water. Many tea brands list this in their instructions on the packaging of their products. In fact, Twinings, a well-known tea company, recommends that you let the boiled water cool, then pour it over the tea bag.
When you put the tea bag in first, it mostly stays at the bottom or middle of the cup while it brews. That way, the flavor disperses evenly through the cup. When you put the bag in second, the tea bag tends to sit on the top for a while before absorbing enough water to sink.
You won’t need to “dunk” your tea bag to mix the tea if you put the bag in first. Dunking the bag makes the tea diffuse faster, so you’re more likely to over-steep your tea and get a very bitter drink if you do this.
Putting the tea bag first is most people’s preferred way of making their tea. Putting the bag in first or second won’t impact the final results too much. Still, you may experience a slight improvement in taste and acidity, making you enjoy the drink much more.
What Happens If You Put the Bag in Second?
Most of the time, the taste won’t be noticeable if you put the tea bag in second. However, sometimes the flavor won’t spread through the cup well or seems a little flat when you drink it. The tea might also taste more bitter if you add the tea bag second.
Pouring the water over the bag gives the leaves a moment to adjust. Dunking the tea bag in hot water can burn the leaves and reduce their ability to provide the entire cup with an even flavor. However, it’s not always noticeable, but many people prefer to make their more expensive teas by adding the bags to the cup first.
How To Make the Best Cup of Tea
If you want to make the perfect cup of tea every time, then you should put the tea bag in the empty cup first. Then you can pour the boiled water over it. Doing so is part of the process of making a delicious tea, so you’ll want to make it a habit.
Always start by choosing a cup of tea that suits you at that moment. Black tea is great when you need an energy boost, while camomile is perfect for falling asleep. It’s also good to choose a high-quality tea to get a better, smoother flavor.
Next, add fresh, cold water to the teapot. You always want to use new water because it contains more oxygen than previously boiled water, which helps to enhance tea’s flavor. After boiling the water, let it cool off the heat for a few minutes. That way, you don’t burn the sensitive tea leaves.
Finally, put the tea bag in the cup before pouring the hot water over the top of it. You’ll then need to wait about three to five minutes for the tea to finish steeping. It’s easy to make delicious tea, and you’ll find that you get the best flavors out of your tea bags by using this method.
Why Take the Tea Bag Out?
Additionally, it’s not uncommon for tea drinkers to leave the bag in the cup while they drink it. However, you should always remove the bag for the best cup of tea.
Leaving the bag in the cup allows the tea to keep releasing flavor into the water. It will make the drink very bitter at a certain point- not everyone likes this flavor. Taking the bag out after it brews completely ensures the tea leaves don’t overpower your cup with bitterness.
Always Follow Included Brewing Instructions
It’s worth mentioning that you should always do your best to follow the steeping instructions on the tea’s packaging. Some teas require longer brewing times or different preparation methods for the best results.
Many tea companies have professional tea tasters that work for them. These tea experts determine how to make the beverage for the best taste and benefits. If you follow their brewing instructions on the packing, you’re much more likely to get a perfect, smooth cup of tea.
Many companies will recommend that you pour the hot water over the tea bag in their instructions. However, you can always make your tea in any way you prefer.
Overall, the flavor won’t stay at just the bottom of your cup. It’s easier for the flavor and color to disperse through the water when the bag is already inside. Most tea recipes will have you follow that same process to prepare their blends.
Final Thoughts
In short, you should place the tea bag into the cup first, then pour your hot water over the top of it. In doing so, you prepare a delicious and smooth drink! However, you can always prepare your tea however you want. It’s a very versatile beverage. As long as you like how it turns out, you don’t need to worry about making it the “right” way.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
