Guides
Nearly all bad tea is over-extracted, brewed too hot, or made from leaf that has been sitting in a warm cupboard for two years. None of those problems is fixed by buying more expensive tea, and all of them are fixed by paying attention to four numbers.
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The Six Types of Tea, and What Actually Separates Them
Green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and dark tea all come from one plant. The difference is oxidation, and understanding it explains why each one is brewed differently.
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The Four Variables That Decide How Your Cup Tastes
Leaf quantity, water temperature, steeping time, and the water itself. Nearly every problem with a cup of tea is one of these four, and each has a specific fix.
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Buying Leaf, Storing It, and the Equipment Worth Owning
Most tea in a home cupboard is stale, and most tea equipment is unnecessary. What matters is freshness, an airtight tin, and something that gives the leaf room to move.