5 key steps to ensure a perfect tea-time.

Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

1. Quality Tea and plenty of it

– 1 tsp per cup or in 12 cup pot: 12 + 1 tsp ‘for the pot’

– Buy and brew within 3 months (max 6)

– Store in dry, dark, not-hot environment

2. Pure Water

– After all, there are only 2 ingredients in tea: tea and. . .water.

3. Proper Temperature—the water and teapot

– 165-195 degrees F (below boiling! Surprised? I was when I first learned to not burn the tea leaves.)

4. Pour water over the tea like watering a plant

- don’t dunk tea into water!

5. Correct Timing

– 3-5 minutes in general. . . into the cup, first comes the caffeine, then the color, and finally the flavor.

Wendy Bazilian is a doctor of public health, registered dietitian and freelance writer in San Diego. She is also the Nutrition Advisor at the renowned Golden Door and Co-owner of Bazilian’s Health Clinic with her husband and business partner, Dr. Jason Bazilian. Dr. Wendy is author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet (Rodale)

Follow her on facebook at Wendy Bazilian