Sorcha

One important point in making a good cup of tea, never use water from the hot water tap, always use the cold tap. Something (and this is a subject of discussion and disagreement among tea drinkers - is it the copper pipes, is it because the air has already been boiled out of the water once before you boil it, etc?) in the hot water makes the tea taste terrible. It's not discernible in coffee as far as I know. I've never heard a coffee drinker complain, but try making a pot of tea for a real tea drinker using the hot water tap and watch them screw their face up in disgust.

My sister kept complaining because her hubby complained about the tea she made him and said it was because of this. She didn't believe him until she made a pot for him once making sure he didn't see which tap the water came from. He knew straight away and as far as I know she has never made it again on hot water.

Twinings is better than the cheaper brands, especially for Earl Gray. Don't try cheap Earl Gray or you'll end up agreeing with Enda Kenny.

Helen