Last Updated:March 25, 2025, 11:02 IST

Tea is essential in Indian households, marking the start and end of the day. For a perfect cup of tea, boil tea leaves in water first, then add milk for full flavor. Avoid adding tea leaves last

Tea is a staple in most Indian households, marking the beginning and end of the day. Without our morning or evening tea, we often feel unmotivated to start our tasks, and any excuse to have a cup is welcomed. Even during office hours, tea breaks are cherished because of our unique love for this beverage.

However, the art of making the perfect tea is frequently debated. Questions arise about the right moment to add ginger or the worry about jaggery tea curdling. There is also an ongoing debate about whether milk or water should be added first. Here, we provide the recipe for a perfect cup of tea.

Add Milk Or Water First?

Some prefer to add milk first, while others add water first, followed by tea leaves. Alternatively, some boil the tea leaves in water before adding milk.

The correct method involves boiling the tea leaves in water first and then adding milk. Adding milk first prevents the proper extraction of the tea leaves, leading to a bland taste.

Steps To Make The Perfect Tea

1. Firstly, boil water in a pan and add tea leaves.
2. If you desire ginger tea, add the ginger at this stage.
3. After the ginger and tea leaves have infused, add sugar.
4. Once everything is well combined, add milk.
5. Allow the tea to simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes, then strain and serve.

Common Mistakes In Tea Making

A common mistake is adding water after boiling milk and immediately adding tea leaves, resulting in under-extracted tea. Tea leaves should never be added last, as this prevents their flavour from fully developing.

Sugar dissolves quickly, so it can be added at any point without affecting the final taste.