tea tip: creative ways to use the last few sips

There are times when I have to steep and run, often leaving a little leftover tea behind. Instead of trashing the little sips when I return, I'll pour the room temperature tea into an ice cube tray. These chilly bursts of tea will brighten up a glass of water with a pop of flavor.

And then there's always the simplest of syrups. Add 1 cup of the leftover tea to a pan, add a few teaspoons of honey, stir, bring to a boil and then let simmer and cool. Voila, tea flavored simple syrup to pour over fruit or to sweeten your next steamy sip.

If the tea has lingered in the lonely pot overnight, fight the urge to pour each perfect drop down the drain and use it to craft a lovely card with an antique aesthetic. Take a plain note card and dip it in into the reheated leftover tea. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Gently remove the card and allow it to dry.

where do you take your tea beyond the cup?

photo from messina1017

Comments

[Emily]

Thought you might like this link if you haven't seen it already– http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/10/how-to-make-apple-chips-slideshow.html#show-114450. Maybe a tea-infused simple syrup for the apples?

[alexis]

thank you for this fabulous apple chip tutorial. I can't wait to crunch on apple chips while sipping a hearty black tea.

I actually made an apple simple syrup to add to black tea, so maybe I'll reverse it and steep my apples in a black tea simple syrup with lavender honey?

[Jenious]

Delightful ideas. I especially like the ice cube suggestion since I often add a touch of fruit juice to water to give it a bit of personality. Cheers.

[alexis]

yes, I love to pop the tea cubes into water for a quick splash of cool tea flavor.

I'll have to try adding fruit juice as well! thanks for the tip.