Pour the cold water into a teapot and put on the stove over high heat. Bring the water just to a boil (a full boil will make the tea taste flat). Remove the pot from the heat and add your tea leaves (for this pot, I put them in the strainer and put the strainer in the pot). Cover the pot with the lid. Let the tea steep for 3 minutes. While the tea is steeping, fill your teacups with hot water so they will be nice and warm. Pour the water out of the tea cups and serve.