Next to water, tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. That said, in some parts of the world, tea is not just any beverage but a way of life. Not only can it help energize you on a lazy afternoon, but it has also become a must-have for socializing or when you need to slow down from the busyness of life.
The art of brewing green tea is also a great hobby one can indulge in. However, brewing tea isn’t as simple as pouring hot water over green tea leaves and taking a sip. If you want to enjoy a cup of green tea that truly showcases its aroma and flavor, there are some tips you must keep in mind.
This article discusses the best type of green tea and some tips and tricks on brewing the perfect cup of green tea every time. Keep reading!
Best Type Of Green Tea
Green tea comes from the fresh leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This centuries-old plant is cultivated in Japan and China, where it’s also the most popular type of beverage. It is loved for its wonderful health benefits, including weight loss, improved heart health, and reduced inflammatory conditions.
Generally, there are different varieties of green tea differentiated by various factors, including growing methods, the timing of harvest, and processing methods. The most popular varieties in the world are Sencha, Gyokuro, and Matcha, with each variety having varying flavor profiles, ranging from earthy, rich tones to subtly sweet flavors.
The Rare Tea Company says the best type of green tea you can buy is loose-leaf green tea, because it contains none of the micro-plastics of mass-produced tea bags, and tends to be from growers who use fewer chemicals during production.
Loose-leaf tea comprises whole, unbroken tea leaves, whereas teabags are typically made from low tea grades. Moreover, freshness is a major issue with regular teabags, causing the essential oils to evaporate, leaving the tea stale and dull.
Ways To Brew The Perfect Cup Of Green Tea
Once you’ve chosen the best type of green tea, you’re ready to brew a perfect cup of tea. Whether you’re a budding green tea enthusiast or think your tea tastes a little dull, there are ways to improve its flavor. This section shares valuable tips on how to brew the best cup of tea every time. Read on!
Opt For High-Quality Tea Leaves Or Bags
Brewing the perfect cup of tea starts with suitable green tea leaves. After all, it’s the fundamental element of your whole tea experience, so you want to ensure you buy only the highest quality. That said, you want to take your time looking for a high-quality green tea product.
Generally, the best green tea should be green. Unlike black tea, green tea doesn’t undergo the oxidation process, which causes the browning of leaves. As such, you should always look for products with vibrant green leaves. Also, whether you’re buying online or from your local grocery shop, always check the origin of green tea and find out how the tea is grown and processed.
Invest In The Right Teapot
For the best results, experts suggest investing in a separate teapot, especially for brewing green tea. Although this may seem unnecessary, using a different teapot helps prevent flavor contamination from other herbal blends, preserving the distinct flavor profile of your brew.
Generally, it’s best to use ceramic, glass, porcelain, or clay teapots for brewing. Avoid aluminum since it can alter the flavors.
Use Filtered Water
Tea is mostly water. And yet, most newbie tea enthusiasts overlook water quality when brewing tea. If you think you can use tap water to make the perfect cup of green tea, think again.
Unfiltered tap water may contain minerals and chemicals that can change the tea’s flavor. That said, using filtered water can provide your tea with a cleaner, more in-depth flavor. If you’ve ever thought that your tea tasted a bit muddied compared to what you buy from local tea shops, then water quality may be the issue.
Know The Best Brewing Temperature
The compounds of green tea are highly sensitive to high water temperatures. Thus, you should brew green tea using lower water temperatures. If you brew green tea in boiling water, you’ll get an astringent or bitter flavor due to the release of tannins.
You should brew your green tea in water between 175°F -185°F. At this range, water extracts the pleasant flavors from the green tea leaves without over-extracting the bitter flavors.
Steep It Right
To develop the best flavors, consider covering your teacup or kettle and allow the leaves to steep for three to five minutes, depending on your flavor preferences.
Experts recommend that you steep it for three minutes and taste it every 30 seconds until you like the flavor. Please note that in addition to water temperature, the amount of time the green tea steeps can impact its bitterness.
Generally, the longer it steeps, the more bitter it will taste, so pay attention to your steeping time. Once you’ve achieved the right flavor, immediately separate the leaves from the water to prevent overstepping. Now, pour it into your favorite teacup and enjoy.
Takeaway
As you can see, brewing the perfect cup of green tea isn’t as straightforward as it seems and will take lots of practice. However, the satisfaction of creating the most flavorful and aromatic green tea at home will give you a sense of satisfaction and pride. Once you’ve perfected the art of brewing green tea, your morning or afternoon routine and tea parties will never be the same again.
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