Jackson Free Press

In the early, crisp days of winter, after a morning run to unknot my muscles and jolt my brain, my body needs its caffeine fix. Coffee, however, is too harsh and heavy for me after exercise. I prefer a steaming cup of tea with my breakfast.

Although it is the second-most widely consumed beverage in the world (after water, of course), tea in the South is usually associated with the cold, syrupy, saccharine goodness we call sweet tea. Hot tea is a staple in many cultures and boasts numerous health benefits—not to mention how tasty it is.

Some people are confused by the myriad tea choices at the supermarket, but since it's relatively inexpensive my advice is to just try out different brands and flavors until you find the one you like. If you are going to do this, though, make sure you know how to properly brew a cup of tea, or as the British call it, "a proper cuppa." Here are some simple rules for the perfect cup of tea.

First, bring fresh, cold and, ideally, filtered water from the tap to a boil in a kettle or pot. "Prime" your teacup or teapot with warm water to help keep the tea warm longer. Next, take your water off the boil and quickly pour it over your tea bag or loose tea leaves. Different teas require different steeping times, but usually a breakfast tea or black tea takes three to five minutes; the longer it steeps, the stronger your tea will be. Don't steep for too long, or your tea will be bitter. Finally, add sugar and milk if you fancy it. For more flavor, try adding lemon, honey or a cinnamon stick.

Tea isn't just for breakfast, either. Some special teas are designed to promote relaxation, for example, and others delight the senses with floral or potpourri scents. Some people like to serve tea with lots of ceremony and flair, but others, like myself, gulp it down in a regular coffee mug while reading the Jackson Free Press and eating cheese grits.

For more information about tea and techniques, check out http://www.adagio.com or http://www.enjoyingtea.com.