Tea and coffee are the most popular beverages that are consumed by millions around the world. Here are some simple tricks and tips that could make your tea or coffee taste better.
Buy small packets of tea powder that is required for only a few days.
Do not empty the tea packet into a tin as the tea powder may smell like tin. Tea and coffee can easily absorb smell and moisture. So, it is better to store tea powder in their packets itself, inside a glass jar. Scoop out the tea powder, as required, from the packet in the jar using a dry spoon.
Boil the water for tea only after keeping ready the vessel, tea powder and the spoon that are required.
Immersing the tea powder or leaves in hot water for too long would make the tea taste slightly bitter or unpleasant.
Wash the sauce pan in which tea is made in hot water and pat dry. Put the tea powder in it while the pan is still warm and then pour the hot water. This makes the tea release its essence in the right amount and proportion. Three teaspoons of tea powder is required to make two cups tea. Similarly, two cups water is enough for two cups of tea.
The tea should be immersed in the hot water for not more than 2-3 minutes. Give the tea a stir and then transfer it into a dry vessel. There is no need to add too much milk in tea. After pouring the black tea in cups, add a little bit of boiled milk and sugar. Preparing tea like this is extremely refreshing and tastes great.
Reheating the tea would lose its natural taste and flavour. It is better to immerse the tea cup in hot water. However, tea tastes best when prepared fresh as required.
Russian tea
There is no need to add milk in Russian tea. Just add a wedge of lime in hot black tea and mix well.
Ice tea
Add crushed ice into a glass or cup. Pour black tea into it. Those who like the flavor of mint can put a few mint leaves in the glass before pouring in the tea. You could also add a few lime wedges.
Coffee
The coffee beans get its unique smell and flavour when they are roasted. However, take care not to burn them. The flame should be evenly distributed while roasting the coffee beans. Add the coffee beans into a hot pan and stir continuously until they are evenly roasted. If the pan is taken off the flame often and then re heated while roasting the beans, the coffee beans may harden up. Take the roasted coffee beans off the heat when they turn ash in colour. Overcooked coffee beans may release its essential oil and taste unpleasant. Store the roasted coffee beans in air-tight containers. The coffee beans could be powdered as required to retain its natural smell and flavour. The roasted coffee beans should not be powdered finely. The sauce pan or the vessel in which the coffee is prepared should be washed in hot water and pat dried.
Add two teaspoons coffee powder in the sauce pan and then pour a glass of hot water. Mix well, sprinkle some normal water over it and then close the pan using the lid. The normal water is sprinkled for the coffee powder to immerse well in the hot water. After the coffee powder has immersed well, add hot milk and sugar.
The real flavour of the coffee would be lost when it is reheated. You could lightly heat the coffee over low flame and then add hot milk into it. Or you could add coffee and milk together and then immerse the cup in hot water for some time. However, it is better not to reheat coffee. There is no need to add as much sugar in coffee as you add in tea. The real taste of the coffee would be lost if it is too sweet. Freshly boiled milk would enhance the taste of tea or coffee. Wash the sauce pan or vessel in which tea or coffee is prepared in hot water and then dry it under the sun as often as possible.
Always try to use freshly ground coffee powder to make a refreshing cup of coffee. The vessels too should be clean and dry. Do not prepare coffee in the same vessel in which tea has been made. Similarly, do not use the vessels or pans in which tea or coffee is made to cook or boil other things.
