THE HOUSE OF TEA OFFERS OVER 300 FRESH, QUALITY TEAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD How can I be certain to brew a good cup of tea every time? I've never used loose tea before. For consistent results, always use one level teaspoon of tea per cup, and steep three to five minutes, then remove leaves. What if I want to make Iced Tea? Use 1/4 cup of dry tea per gallon of water for a good, strong pot. Iced Tea is best when brewed like hot tea and then cooled slowly. If you put it over ice immediately, it will become cloudy. Do teapots require special care? Rinse with hot water and let dry. Use soap sparingly, if at all, and always rinse well after washing with soap. You don't want to taste it in your next pot of tea! Before using an Yching or clay teapot, submerge in a pan of water and boil several minutes. This will begin to season the pot, and help take away the flavor of the clay. Never use soap in a clay teapot - it will never come out. CHOOSE A TEAPOT WITH A HARD, SMOOTH GLAZE ON THE INSIDE. THIS WILL HELP IF YOU USE A VARIETY OF STRONGLY FLAVORED TEAS, BECAUSE THE FLAVORS WILL RINSE OUT. Refinements Once you establish your basic flavors, there are several pointers to keep in mind. For black tea, water just brought a boil is perfect. You don't want to over boil the water and lose all the air. Microwaves will kill the life of the water, and water heats at the same rate whether on stove top or microwave. The general rules are based on a 6-ounce up. When we speak of a "6 cup teacup," we mean 36 ounces. The teapot doesn't drink, so forget the "one for the pot" saying. It's always best to start with less than you think you need. Tea likes to be free! Use an infuser that gives the leaves the most space possible, and never fill more than half. The best flavor will arrive if the leaves are allowed to fully open in water. I've heard about Green Teas recently. Must they be brewed differently? Green Teas, by nature, need a little more care to brew, or they will turn bitter. Also, watch the water temperature: Greens brew best at 180 to 190 degrees, just below boiling. Steep for three minutes and under for most green teas. High quality green tea can be re-infused if properly brewed, in some cases up to eight times!