A new infographic has revealed the optimal temperatures for brewing the perfect cup of tea and coffee, as well as storing alcoholic beverages. The guide, created by GB Energy Supply, highlights that tea leaves should be steeped in water as hot as 100°C to bring out their full flavour, while coffee beans can be scalded by boiling water.
According to the infographic, black tea and herbal infusions such as peppermint and chamomile require water at 100°C. Oolong tea is best brewed at 85°C to 90°C, while green tea should not exceed 75°C to 80°C. For coffee, freshly ground beans can withstand 90°C to 96°C, instant coffee is best at 80°C to 85°C, and filter coffee brews optimally at 49°C to 60°C.
The guide also provides storage temperatures for alcoholic drinks. Ports and red wine are best kept at 15°C to 18°C, while full-bodied white wines and light reds should be stored at 10°C to 15°C. Light white wines, dessert wines, and sparkling wines are optimal at 4°C to 10°C. Cloudy cider and cask ales are best at 11°C to 13°C, standard lager at 5°C to 8°C, and bottled beer at 4°C to 6°C.
This comes after a study from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne found that champagne is best served at around 18°C, as it retains more bubbles at warmer temperatures. The study also revealed that a typical flute holds about one million bubbles, far fewer than previously estimated.
