Exquisite Indian-Style Steeped Tea

1. Boil Water

Bring water to a rolling boil. This ensures that your tea will infuse properly, capturing all the rich flavors of the leaves. You’ll know it's ready when you see vigorous bubbling.

2. Heat Teapot

While the water is boiling, take a moment to heat your teapot by rinsing it with some of the boiling water. This step is crucial as it helps maintain the temperature when you steep the tea, ensuring an even extraction of flavors. Feel the pot; it should be warm to the touch.

3. Add Tea Leaves

Add the loose tea leaves to the teapot. Use one teaspoon of tea leaves for each cup of water you plan to prepare, plus one extra teaspoon for the pot. This additional teaspoon is the secret to achieving a robust and full-bodied flavor.

4. Steep Tea

Pour the freshly boiled water over the tea leaves in the teapot. Cover the teapot and let the tea steep for about 3 minutes. This is the optimal time for extracting the perfect balance of flavors from the tea leaves. Using a timer can be helpful here to ensure you don’t over-steep and end up with a bitter brew.

5. Stir and Strain Tea

After 3 minutes, give the tea a gentle stir to mix the flavors evenly. Then, strain the tea into teacups using a strainer. This will catch any loose leaves and give you a smooth cup of tea.

6. Serve Tea

Serve your tea while it’s hot. You can offer lemon, sugar, or hot milk on the side, allowing each person to customize their cup to taste. Enjoy the delightful and aromatic experience of your homemade Indian-style steeped tea.