If you’re a tea lover, it’s very likely that your shelves are filled with all kinds of tea. From bagged black tea to loose leaf green tea, a true connoisseur is stocked with all varieties and kinds of tea. If you want to prepare the best tea possible, follow some of these basic rules for tea brewing. First and foremost, don’t boil your water. Let it come to just below boiling. This will bring out the flavor of the tea better.

Also, don’t let the tea steep too long or too quickly. Too quickly, and you’ll have a weak, flavorless cup of tea. Too long, and you’ll be stuck with a bitter brew. The ideal amount of time is anywhere between two and three minutes. For many people, black tea is too bitter, even when brewed properly. If that’s the case, consider adding a bit of milk and/or sugar. When adding these products, however, add it a little at a time. You don’t want to overpower the taste of the tea.