The Tea Mistake Almost Everyone Makes, And It's Wrecking Your Cup

One bad habit is turning your brew bitter.

You dunk the bag, you squeeze it hard against the side of the mug, and you wonder why your tea tastes so sharp and astringent. That squeeze is the culprit, and it is a habit worth breaking today.

Pressing the bag forces out concentrated tannins, the compounds that make tea taste bitter and dry. A gentle brew releases flavour and aroma; a hard squeeze releases the harsh stuff you do not want.

Timing matters just as much. Black tea only needs a few minutes. Leave it swimming for ten and you steep out a mouthful of bitterness no amount of milk can hide.

So let the bag do its work, lift it out gently, and stop the squeeze. A properly brewed cup is smoother, rounder and far more satisfying than the punishing brew you have been settling for.