A Lovely Cup of Tea: How to Make the Perfect Cuppa

Well, the nights are closing in, the rain is hitting the window and the leaves are falling. It's time to cosy up with a lovely cup of tea and preferably some carb and sugar laden treats. If they're dunkable, so much the better!

Personally I'd go for builders tea, made in a pot. Traditionally, first 'scald' the pot by adding boiling water and allowing it to pre-heat the pot (china, porcelain or earthenware) and pouring it out again. Then add good quality tea leaves, one tea spoon per person plus 'one for the pot'. You can use tea bags if you like, but make sure you allow the water to circulate within the pot. Finally top up with freshly boiled water, cover with a tea cosy and allow to brew. When tea reaches preferred strength, pour into bone china cups or mugs and finish with milk and sugar as required. Accompaniments vary from cake and biccies to my own favourite - sultana scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to tea, but it's worth getting it right. Always use boiling hot water, and always pour the tea before the milk. Oh, and enjoy!

For a really nice cuppa, check out our bone china mugs - choose from Cockney Rhymes, Rosie Lee and Love London. Or, if you're feeling rebellious try Sticky Toffee (cockney rhyming slang for coffee)!

For a yummy scone recipe, try Domestic Sluttery Blogsite.

For more about tea and it's history visit www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk, website of the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee.