The Queen’s official tea supplier has shared its secrets to making the perfect cuppa – including warming the teapot with hot water first and letting it sit for four minutes.
English firm Twinings has been supplying the British monarchy with tea since 1837, when it was first ‘honoured’ by Queen Victoria.
Speaking to Town & Country magazine, Stephen Twinings, the brand’s director of corporate relations, and the 10th generation of his family in the business, said: ‘We’ve had the honor of supplying every successive British King and Queen from that day to the very current day.’
The Queen’s official tea supplier, Twinings, has shared its secrets to making the perfect cuppa – including warming the teapot with hot water first and letting it sit for four minutes. Pictured: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor in June
And while he wouldn’t reveal Her Majesty’s favourite brew, he did suggest how to create the best cup of black tea – explaining that the trick is to leave it to sit for at least four minutes.
For those wanting expert results, you must first warm your teapot with hot water before getting rid of that liquid, according to the brand.
Then, fill the device with fresh cold water and it heat to its boiling point before immediately pouring it over your tea bag.
Over-boiling your water will make your tea taste ‘flat’, according to Twinings.
The brand also insists that tea shouldn’t be judged on its look.
It explained: ‘Colour comes more quickly, but flavour takes a bit longer to develop.’
The company’s recommended brewing time is four minutes, but added: ‘The best cup of tea is the one you like the most.’
And when including milk in your cuppa, Twinings suggested that the liquid should be added to your mug before any tea.
‘When adding milk, pour it into the cup before adding your tea.
‘This allows the milk to cool the tea, rather than letting the tea heat the milk,’ it said.
Confirming that the company does continue to hold multiple royal warrants, Stephen added: ‘The first rule of doing business with the Royal households is of course confidentiality.’
Speaking to Town & Country magazine, Stephen Twinings (pictured), the brand’s director of corporate relations, and the 10th generation of his family in the business, recalled the company’s long history with the monarchy
A warrant from the Queen means that a company has supplied her and her household with some of its products for at least five years out of seven and is generally seen as a mark of excellence.
It is rumoured that the Queen’s favourite cuppa is Earl Grey tea, taken with a little milk and no sugar.
Source: Food Recipes and News