How to make the perfect cup of tea

"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." ~Gladstone, 1865

• Use loose tea wherever possible, but ensure whatever tea you use has been sealed properly and kept in a cool, dry and dark place 
• The milk goes in last, not first. Otherwise it will slightly cool the water- you need the boiling water to infuse the tea properly.
• If you're using a teabag don't squeeze it against the side of the mug with your spoon. Doing so releases tannins (the same compound in red wine that gives you a dry sensation in your mouth)
• Serving tea in a teapot makes a difference. You get to control the infusion -whether you prefer it weak or strong,  and it also gives a pleasant ritualistic dimension to your day.

February will be cheered up with this pretty mix and match china by PiP Studio