Mum’s Kitchen
This page belongs to my mum. I am allowed to type it because my handwriting is “not to be trusted near a list”. Her rule: if it needs a timer, it goes on the wall. This is the wall.
The head taster. Every dinner is inspected by a beagle in a chef's hat before it reaches the table. Mum says he is not staff. He has never accepted this ruling.
Steeping times
| Tea | Water | Steep | Mum says |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 75–85 °C | 2–3 min | Gentle. Boiling water scorches it. |
| Green | 70–80 °C | 1–3 min | Goes bitter quickly if you forget it. |
| Oolong | 85–95 °C | 2–4 min | Often forgives a second and third steep. |
| Black | 95–100 °C | 3–5 min | The sturdy one. Milk is allowed. |
| Pu-erh | 95–100 °C | 2–5 min | Some people rinse the leaves first. |
| Herbal | 100 °C | 5–7 min | Not tea, strictly. Very patient. |
Leaves and packets differ, so start short, taste, and add thirty seconds. Hotter water and longer steeping both pull out more bitterness. Dad adds the milk first. We do not discuss this.
The egg timer. Pick a tea and it counts down the middle of Mum's range, then beeps — three small beeps. The real egg timer ticks so loudly you can hear it through a closed door and one pillow.
0:00
Things in this kitchen
- One tin of tea with no label. It is a surprise every time. Mum knows. Mum is not telling.
- A timer shaped like an egg. It ticks, loudly, and has opinions.
- Seven mugs. Two are “for guests”. The guests are also surprised by the tea.
- A hand-written sign on the oven: “IT IS NOT READY YET.” It is always true and never helpful.
Mum’s notice: this page has no search box. If you can't find something in a kitchen, shout. Someone will shout back where it is, wrongly, with confidence.
Is there a shelf you can’t see from here? psst