I like the idea of tea.
I like the slow, methodical process of tea-making.
I like the ritual of afternoon tea.

It’s just the tea part I don’t really love about tea.

So I did what any good bookstagrammer would do – I took to Instagram and asked for advice. And man!, did I get responses. You guys are SERIOUS about your tea!

I thought I’d share some of the repeated responses I received in case there’s anyone else out there looking for tea help (and I know there are because many of you commiserated with me about not particularly liking tea.) So maybe some of these hints will help you out too:

• by far the most common thread was: GET RID OF THOSE TEA BAGS! -ha! I was promised over and over again that loose leaf tea is far superior to any tea bag
• make sure to use the correct ratio of leaves to water: 1/2 tsp per 8 oz.
• by high quality tea!
• if you want to add milk, brew it in water first and then add milk or creamer to it
• whipping cream is a necessary luxury
• Earl Grey latte: earl grey tea, honey and frothed cream
• no need for a fancy frother: brew you tea and cream in a Mason jar, put the lid on and shake it vigorously until frothy
• (above tip came with the comment that it’s also a great workout at the same time!)
• use coconut milk in your chai tea
• advice from the UK (so you know it’s legit!): you can only use milk with black tea and don’t forget to pour boiling water over the tea. Let it stand for 7 minutes before pouring from the teapot.
• if tea is made in a teapot, pour milk in the cup before pouring in the brewed tea and if brewing in a cup, add the milk into the cup after the tea has brewed.
• heat your milk but not to a boiling point, stir in the chai powder or syrup – no water used at all.
• David’s Tea is awesome loose leaf tea
• loose leaf tea is not as intimidating as it sounds if you have a good tea infuser to make it super easy
• the best teas to use with milk are ones that contain a nutty, buttery, caramel-like tea which are most black teas and rooibos tea

These are the rules, people! 

I don’t think I’ll ever be beyond the point of adding so much honey and cream to the cup that it really can’t even be called tea anymore. I suppose that’s how young coffee drinkers start out, right?

Do you have any additional tips for us Tea Wannabees?