When it comes to romance, many set the mood with a glass of pinot noir, or a bubbly flute of champagne. Don't forget that "tea for two" can also brew romance, if you pay mind to the presentation.
Tea can be poured in a porcelain mug, a metal goblet or a shallow saucer. Some like to gulp it down, others slurp and swish, while some take the time to delicately sip their tea from fine china cups placed atop dainty saucers. The likes and dislikes of tea drinkers may vary, but tea accessories are becoming a big part of the tea-making exercise.
Making a great cup of tea means starting with the basics. The kettle is where every fine brew begins. Some people have boiling water for years in the same metal kettles. Others enjoy the tea of generations in their inherited kettles. These people have been using the same kettle for years and are quite content with the results.
It's time to seek out a kettle to brew your perfect tea if you're not so lucky. When shopping for a kettle, ensure that the lid fits tightly. There is the risk of hot water blowing into your face if the lid is loose. Ensure that the handle won't get hot, and that it is securely fastened to the body of the kettle. The size of the kettle is equally important. Don't buy a big kettle if you are only going to brew one or two cups at a time.
The teapot is another very important accessory, and great care must be taken in choosing the right one. A two- or four-cup porcelain teapot is perfect for black teas. Green or Oolong teas should be brewed in a Chinese or Japanese teapot. Herbal infusions are best suited to clear glass teapots.
When choosing your new teapot, be sure that it has a tight-fitting lid, balanced proportions, a polished and smooth surface and a spout that doesn't leak. Nothing spoils the mood like a leaky teapot.
The tea infuser is another must-have accessory for true tea lovers. The most common form is the wire mesh style, but there are also ball infusers, infuser presses and traditional bamboo infusers available. An ideal infuser should fit the entire mug or extend deeply into the teapot.
Those who truly love their tea or are a tad finicky about their brew might also have a measuring teaspoon, thermometer, digital timer, tightly sealed storage containers, a delicate tea elegant and cozy saucers and cups. The tea tray is the last link in the chain of tea accessories, and the one that holds it all together.
When romance is brewing, pour some tea for two, and dazzle your love with all the right accessories.
