To make green tea, you must use water that is not boiling hot to avoid a bitter taste. Here's how:
Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Green Tea
- Heat the Water: Boil water in a kettle.
- Cool the Water: After the kettle boils, let it sit for approximately five minutes. This will bring the water temperature down to around 80°C (176°F), which is ideal for green tea.
- Using boiling water will extract tannins which leads to a bitter, astringent flavor.
- According to the reference, green tea is more delicate than black tea, so you must avoid using boiling water.
- Prepare your Tea: Place your green tea leaves or tea bag in your cup or teapot.
- Pour and Infuse: Pour the hot (but not boiling) water over the tea leaves or tea bag.
- Steep: Let the tea steep for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove Tea: Remove the tea leaves or tea bag from the water to prevent over-steeping and bitterness.
- Enjoy: Your green tea is now ready to be enjoyed.
Why Proper Temperature Matters
The water temperature is crucial for the quality of your green tea. Here’s why:
- Tannin Extraction: Boiling water extracts too many tannins from the leaves. This results in a bitter taste.
- Flavor Balance: Using cooler water helps preserve the subtle, sweet flavors of the green tea leaves.
Additional Tips
- Use Quality Tea: Using quality loose leaf tea or tea bags can improve your overall experience.
- Experiment with Steeping Times: Adjust the steeping time slightly (between 2-3 mins) to find your preferred flavor profile.