To start, preheat the pot by filling it with hot tap water and letting it sit for several minutes. Pour out the water and drop in one teaspoon of loose tea per cup plus one for the pot. If you don't have an infuser, a strainer placed over the cups when serving works just as well. For those who are partial to tea bags, simply follow the instructions printed on the box. It's crucial not to let the water boil too rapidly or too long.
Tea loves oxygen.
It's what gives tea its character. Carrying a boiling kettle across a cool kitchen can lower the water temperature by several unwanted degrees, so always bring the preheated pot to the kettle and pour. Then immediately replace the cover and allow the tea to steep for three to seven minutes, depending on your preference. Tea lovers have been arguing the merits of milk versus lemon for centuries. While there's no sign of agreement, there are a few well-established rules.