The preparation technique is just a little bit different to that of the more traditional black tea that you may be used to.
Producing the perfect cup of green tea is a tricky process...if not done properly, the same polyphenols that provide health benefits can ruin the flavour, causing the tea to taste “grassy”.
It is very important not to over-brew the tea. While it is best to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer for each variety of green tea, here are some general rules.
Use 1-2 teaspoons of tea per cup, or 1 tea bag
Fill a kettle with cold water and bring almost to the boil
After this allow the kettle to stand for 3 minutes
Pour the heated water over the tea or tea bag, and allow it to ‘steep’ (draw the infusions from the leaves) for 3 minutes
If using a tea bag, remove the bag
Allow the tea to cool for 3 more minutes
The most crucial difference between preparing green tea to black tea is the temperature of the water.
With black tea, boiling water is used and with green tea, the water should not quite reach boiling point.
A lot depends on the type of green tea you are making – so read the instructions of the manufacturer.
Generally, green tea should be made with water between 61 and 87 degrees Centigrade.
As a rule of thumb, the better the quality of the tea, the lower the water temperature should be.
Don’t allow tea to steep for too long after you steep it in water.
Green tea isn’t supposed to be too strong – let it brew for no more than 3 minutes depending upon your personal taste.
If you do steep the tea for too long, it will taste bitter and astringent.
The best flavour extraction depends on the water temperature. So choose a variety of teas to try, use cooler water and steep for a couple of minutes, and sip your tea.
It should be good!
Which Way to Brew Green Tea Works Best For You??
Do you have some great tips about brewing green tea for taste and health? Share them with us!