Should I add milk during or after the steep?

After. Adding during creates uneven extraction and a cloudier cup.

Why does my tea taste bitter at 5 minutes?

Either water that was too hot for the variety (Darjeeling and first-flush need 90 °C, not 100), or leaves that were past their freshness window. Tannin extraction accelerates with age.

Can I use bag tea for this?

Yes — bag tea (CTC grade) is engineered for 3-5 minute steeps. Loose leaf rewards the same window with more flavour.

Does the chime sound through a closed kitchen door?

On a normal laptop or phone, marginally. Keep the device in the kitchen for a reliable cue.

Black Tea Timer · 5 Minutes

Para que serve black tea timer (5 minutes)?

Use freshly boiled water

Unlike green tea, black tea wants water at or just off the boil — 95-100 °C. The fully oxidised leaves are more robust and need higher temperature to extract their darker tannins and malt notes. Use fresh-boiled water; reheated water loses oxygen and produces a flat cup.

Five minutes is firm but not bitter

Three minutes is light, five is full-bodied, seven is over-steeped and astringent. Five is the British breakfast tea standard and works for almost every CTC (cut-tear-curl) or full-leaf black tea. For more delicate Darjeelings or first-flush teas, drop to 3-4 minutes.

Milk and sugar last

Add milk after the steep finishes and you remove the leaves — never during. Milk proteins bind to tannins and stop further extraction, but adding milk during the steep clouds the brew and makes it harder to judge strength. Sugar last, by taste.

Como usar este temporizador

Click Start Black Tea Timer. The countdown opens at 5:00 and begins instantly.
Pode trocar de aba ou se afastar — o temporizador é preciso contra o relógio do sistema, independente do foco.
Observe o LED vermelho brilhante contar regressivamente. Cada dígito é grande e legível de qualquer canto do cômodo.
No zero toca um acorde de três notas, o LED pisca e o favicon fica vermelho.
Aperte Espaço para rodar de novo, R para resetar, ou 1–8 para escolher outro preset.

Perguntas frequentes

Should I add milk during or after the steep?: After. Adding during creates uneven extraction and a cloudier cup.
Why does my tea taste bitter at 5 minutes?: Either water that was too hot for the variety (Darjeeling and first-flush need 90 °C, not 100), or leaves that were past their freshness window. Tannin extraction accelerates with age.
Can I use bag tea for this?: Yes — bag tea (CTC grade) is engineered for 3-5 minute steeps. Loose leaf rewards the same window with more flavour.
Does the chime sound through a closed kitchen door?: On a normal laptop or phone, marginally. Keep the device in the kitchen for a reliable cue.

Black Tea Timer (5 Minutes)