Tips for Handling the Tea Bag

Do I wind the tea bag string around the teaspoon to drain the tea bag? Which goes first in the cup: tea bag or water?

Below are a few tips for infusing etiquette in the handling of the tea bag.

At a restaurant when offered a teapot with hot water and a tea bag, unwrap the paper from the tea bag and place the tea bag in the teapot. Allow the tea bag to steep for a few minutes or until your preferred strength. Resist wiggling the tea bag with the string to hurry the steeping process. Instead, engage in conversation with your guest and enjoy the food. Once the tea is at the desired strength, carefully pour the tea into your cup about three-quarters full and savor the flavor. Leave the tea bag in the teapot.

If you are served a teacup filled with hot water and a tea bag on the saucer, unwrap the paper from the tea bag and place the tea bag in the cup. Once the tea is at your desired strength, remove the tea bag from the cup by using a teaspoon. Do not wrap the tea bag string around the teaspoon to drain the tea bag. Instead, place the used tea bag on an extra saucer located on the table. This will avoid puddles on your saucer and a dripping tea cup.

For those empty paper tea bag wrappers, place them slightly under the saucer holding the teapot or your individual saucer.