by Emeric Harney February 04, 2021 4 min read 9 Comments
Back in 1946, George Orwell, the British novelist, journalist, essayist, and critic best known for Animal Farm and 1984, turned his pen to the subject of tea. As a Brit, he most certainly had some passionate thoughts on how to make and take your tea -- and on how you should do it, too. His piece “A Nice Cup of Tea” outlines his 11 rules for making the perfect cup of tea, “every one of which I regard as golden” he wrote. (He actually has 10 rules for how to prepare tea; the 11th rule is his opinion on adding sugar, which is quite adamant.)
As a third-generation tea company, we Harneys have some thoughts on the topic of the proper way to make the perfect cuppa every time. Here are our 10 Rules for Making Tea. We think Mr. Orwell would agree with most if not all of them, although there were no microwaves in 1946 and he would advise against adding sweeteners no matter what. Stiff upper lip and all that.
White Teas: 175° F for 3 minutes
Chinese Green Teas: 175° F for 1-3 minutes
Japanese Green teas: 160° F for 1-3 minutes
Oolong Teas: 180° to 212° F for 1-5 minutes
Black Teas: 212° F for 5 minutes
Herbals: 212° F for 5 minutes
First Flush Darjeelings: 175° F for 3 minutesMarch 02, 2021
Thanks for your information. My mom always drank Tender Leaf tea for breakfast and we used Tender Leaf tea well sweetened for iced tea. Of course we can’t get that any more but I am still looking for an equivalent for iced tea. I do enjoy your Black Current both hot and iced. I take a thermo of iced on my golf outings.
I enjoy your Decaf Assam almost nightly during the winter and either the Peach Ginger, Black Current, or Black Cast Bourbon in the afternoon.
February 17, 2021
I’m jealous! Mr. Harney is both an innovative, passionate teamaker and a superb writer.
We already subscribe to # 10 — try a new tea every few weeks. That’s the only way to discover new favorites.
February 08, 2021
I didn’t know many of these facts except to use spring water and heat in
a tea kettle kept warm on the back of the wood stove. I was raised on a
dairy farm. That is how I began drinking tea at a young age.Back then (many
years ago) we added milk because we had plenty of it. I just recently – about
3-4 years started drinking it without milk. Don’t have access to FRESH milk
any more.
February 08, 2021
Thank you for all of this. I’ve been reading your instructions as my tea assortment has grown, and the many varieties and flavors offered are fantastic. I had to limit myself to making one purchase a month, which went out the window with Harneyville Holidays.
During that time, I tried matcha and as much as I enjoy the ritual of making loose tea, making matcha is so relaxing before I even take a sip!
I’d suggest making a Tea 101 gift set, with the accoutrements and a sample of the best of black, white, green, and matcha teas.
February 04, 2021
Information on how to enjoy your tea and how to prepare it properly
February 04, 2021
Excellent tips! Thank you!
February 08, 2021
You do not give quantities of tea for these instructions. If I am making two teacups of liquid tea, I might use one or two tablespoons of tea leaves, however, if I am making a full teapot to produce 6 cups of tea, and use 4-5 tablespoons of tea leaves, wouldn’t there be a difference in steeping time?
Thanks, Laura
February 04, 2021
Interesting! just wanted to comment and say that i enjoyed the article.
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Sheridan Barkley
March 24, 2021
Just love the taste and aroma of Hot Cinnamon tea‼️Real treat any time of day‼️