The PG Tips Original cup is the British everyday standard, and most people get it slightly wrong with under-boiled water and too short a steep. Done properly it's brisk, malty and ready for milk. Fully boiled water, 3 to 4 minutes in the mug, then milk last: that really is the whole job.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the The Standard PG Tips Original Cup recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/cocktails/the-standard-pg-tips-original-cup/
It uses PG Tips Original English Breakfast, a brisk everyday Black Tea. One mug, the foundation cup.
You'll need
- 1 PG Tips Original tea bag
- 250ml freshly drawn water, brought to a full rolling boil
- A splash of cold milk, to taste
- Sugar or honey, optional
Method
- Fill the kettle with fresh cold water and boil it fully. Black tea needs 100C; reboiled or under boiled water gives a flat mug.
- Put the bag in the mug and pour the boiling water straight onto it so it agitates the leaves.
- Steep 3 minutes for a standard cup, up to 4 for builders strength. Past 4 the tannin makes it bitter.
- Lift the bag out and press it gently against the side once, no more, then discard it.
- Add the milk after the bag is out so the brew stays hot enough to extract; cold milk too early stalls the steep.
- Sweeten if you like, stir, and drink while it is properly hot.
Want the background, not just the brew?
Brewed with: PG Tips Original English Breakfast, 80 Tea Bags 232g
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