Green tea is a drink that’s rapidly growing in popularity–and for good reason. The many benefits of green tea are only beginning to be discovered. Green tea is an excellent substitute for coffee since it’s lower in caffeine and less likely to lead to the jitters. This is because it contains theanine–an amino acid that has a calming effect on the brain.
The key to enjoying a cup of green tea to its fullest is to prepare it properly. The preparation of a cup of green tea can greatly influence how it tastes and the experience of drinking it. Here’s how to prepare the perfect cup of green tea.
Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags
Many people prepare green tea using tea bags due to the convenience, but using loose leaf tea gives a better flavor and is less expensive. Most green tea packed into tea bags is tea leaf shavings whereas loose leaf tea consists of the whole leaves. This gives the finished cup of tea a much better taste. Loose leaf tea doesn’t have to be complicated to prepare. All that’s needed is a teapot and a strainer.
How to Prepare a Cup of Green Tea Properly
- Use a ceramic teapot to prepare the water for steeping green tea to get the best flavored tea. Metal teapots can leave a metallic aftertaste.
- For green tea, use about a teaspoon and a quarter of green tea leaves per eight ounce cup of tea.
- Never allow the temperature of the water to go above 170 degrees Farenheit before adding it to the tea leaves. Many people make the mistake of allow the water to come to a boil. Higher temperatures will burn the delicate green tea leaves and ruin the flavor.
- When steeping the leaves, only allow the leaves to remain in the water for a maximum of two minutes before straining. Otherwise, the tea will end up with an unappealing, bitter taste. The longer the hot water remains in contact with the leaves, the more caffeine and polyphenols the finished cup of green tea will have.
Should Green Tea Leaves Be Used More Than Once?
In most cases, green tea leaves can be steeped a second time as long as the tea is of high quality. The cup of tea that comes from the second steeping will be lower in caffeine and polyphenols, but will still have a satisfying taste.
Other Tips for Preparing Green Tea
If you enjoy a cup of green tea iced, add twice as much green tea leaves to the cup before steeping as the water from the ice will dilute out the flavor.
Pour freshly brewed tea into a pretty tea cup to add to the experience of drinking it, then enjoy!
References:
WHFoods website
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