note that this post was previously published on March 18th, 2015
Brewing a delicious cup of green tea is not difficult, but if your previous attempts have produced a bitter, harsh or overly grassy taste, you may find that a few minor tweaks in your technique will make a big difference.
5 Tips for Brewing a Better Cup of Green Tea
1. Start with Great Quality Water
Experts agree that water quality makes a big difference in the taste of green tea. Whether you choose tap, filtered or bottled water, it should be low in calcium and minerals (soft water) and it should taste good. Never use distilled water, which can taste flat.
2. Don’t Skimp on the Leaf
One of the most important factors in brewing a great cup of tea is balancing the leaf-to-water ratio. As a rule of thumb, start with 1 teaspoon of tea leaves for every 6 ounces of water, but depending on the size and quality of the leaves and your own palate, you can add up to a tablespoon.
3. Use a Thermometer
The flavor and sweetness of green tea is drawn out by steeping at the correct temperature. This is because different chemical compounds in tea dissolve at different temperatures. Green tea brewed at too high of a temperature makes a bitter, astringent cup. If the temperature is too low, you’ll miss out on much of the rich flavors and aromas.
It’s often said that green tea should be prepared with water that is just short of boiling. This is generally true, but depending on the specific tea, the ideal temperature can vary from 160°F to 180°F, so check the package for an accurate guide.
4. Use a Timer
Green tea is usually steeped from 1 to 3 minutes. The exact amount of time will depend on the particular tea and your personal preference. Small leaves generally infuse more quickly than large leaves. You can taste the tea after 60 seconds, and then at shorter intervals to find the best taste for your palate.
For additional steeps, water temperature should be higher and steeping times are usually a bit longer.
5. Give your Leaves some Space
Tea leaves need room to unfold and release their flavors. Quality leaves will expand many times from their original size, so choose a strainer or infuser with plenty of space. You can also brew leaves directly in your cup and strain them out when the infusion is finished.
Photo by Hit Thatswitch/Flickr CC
Learn More about How Green Tea is Made
