Your call. Dusty bags are often full of tannin and so they’re far too bitter on their own. Milk’s been doing a stellar cover-up job for years. If you’re using rolled, whole leaves then they’ll have enough taste to hold their own without needing any milk. But it’s all about finding the perfect balance, so if you like it, throw it in.

Making a cup of tea during the day is, for most, a process that requires little or no thought. When we need something to quench our thirst, more often than not, we make a cuppa. However, tea extends far further than just a common or garden tea bag in a cup, and the Manchester-based Brew Tea Co is on a mission to show what many Brits have been missing out on.

True to its name, Brew Tea Co also emphasises the importance of the brewing process itself. To really get the most out of your cuppa, you’ve got to have the right kit. Like coffee, the necessary hardware is of paramount importance. But hey, it’s all about preference. To give your cup a stronger taste, put a few more leaves in with the same volume of water. If you prefer it a little lighter, reduce the leaves instead. Play around with it. Your perfect cup of tea is all in this ratio.

Founded in 2012, Brew Tea Co is the brainchild of the husband and wife team Phil & Aideen Kirby. They felt that tea drinkers deserved as much thought and attention as wine slurpers and coffee sippers and set about creating a brand that celebrated tea. Brew Tea Co want to make tea drinkers proud, to make tea an amazing experience and believe it is never “just” a cup of tea.We’re flying the flag for a better standard for tea drinkers. For us, making the perfect cup of tea is making the tea you love to drink. For example, Brew Tea Co’s iconic teapot – sculpted from state-of-the-art borosilicate glass – is comfortably heat resistant and can conserve heat for longer than any rival teapot on the market.

If you prefer tea bags, 300ml water is perfect straight into most standard mugs . We’ve varied the amount of tea in our bags for each blend so that the taste is as consistent as possible with the loose leaf. Since your tea is fixed, your water should be too. Remember that ratio. Step 3. Temperature matters.

Making a cup of tea during the day is, for most, a process that requires little or no thought. When we need something to quench our thirst, more often than not, we make a cuppa. However, tea extends far further than just a common or garden tea bag in a cup, and the Manchester-based Brew Tea Co is on a mission to show what many Brits have been missing out on.

According to the UK Tea & Infusions Association, there are more than 1500 varieties of tea, and it’s very likely the average Brit would be hard pushed to name more than ten. This is where company’s such as the Brew Tea Co come to the forefront by helping to educate us about the extraordinary range of flavours, colours and the benefits of this staple of British society. This depends on the blend. For English Breakfast look for a ruby red. For Darjeeling you’ll want a paler, straw like colour and Green is in the name. Look out for the whole leaves & proper ingredients, make sure you brew it for at least 3 minutes, and it’ll be bang on. A great clue is the clarity - dusty bags make for a murky cup. Really good tea from rolled, whole leaves looks a lot lighter and clearer. Don’t be fooled into thinking this means it’s weaker. It’s got all the taste. Should you put milk in tea?