To ask you how you make tea taste good?

[VeronicaM27]

Every now and then I make a cup of tea and it tastes like pure magic. The problem is 99 times out 100 it tastes like soggy cardboard.

I put the teabag in the cup with 2 sugars, pour in the boiling water, leave for 2-3 minutes, take out and then add a splash of milk. I have no idea what I do differently that one magic time but it’s so annoying when I crave a nice cup of tea and it ends up tasting like the aforementioned cardboard.

So what am I doing wrong? How to you get the perfect cup of tea every time?

Thanks for posting this. I have the same problem and it seems I do two things wrong

1. Not always fresh water, sometimes I forget/get sidetracked and boil the kettle several times before making the tea (blame loading the washer or dryer, buttering toast, taking tablets, sorting out cat/squirrel fights, etc).
2. Not pouring immediately when the kettle boils (see above reasons).

Use a china cup. Not a mug.

It's just that I know I can make an amazing cup of tea with the cup/kettle/water I have. I’ve done it before. I just don’t know how I did it

I know exactly what you mean, OP. Someone on another thread referred to this elusive magic cup of tea as "golden tea". I have not idea how I occasionally do it, either. Maybe the fairies do it... It is a true mystery. You sure know it when you find it!

Might be controversial but, teabag in cup then after pouring boiling water add milk before removing teabag. Let tea brew with the milk in the water. once a good colour then strain and remove teabag.

Agree that water should just be boiled before pouring it in. Not sat for a few mins before pouring in.

I hate strains in my tea and find that adding milk before removing teabag removes risk of strains

Also, brand matters. I prefer Tetley

Swirl the bag but don't squeeze it, just lift out. Squeezing releases extra tannins.

Swirl the bag but don't squeeze it, just lift out. Squeezing releases extra tannins.

Its the perfect temperature for me after 10 minutes but if you like it scalding then you need a tea cosy.
My late MIL use to make a big pot of tea in the morning, sit it by her chair and gradually drink it throughout the day. Stone cold black tea.

Don't use tea bags, dust in a bag!