How to brew a perfect cup of green tea

Green Tea:

Green tea, renowned for its numerous health benefits and delightful flavours, has been cherished for centuries in different cultures around the world. But, How many of you have actually enjoyed the green tea for its flavour and not gulping it for the sake of health benefits it has to offer? Well, a few of us. In this blog, let us understand the essential factors that contribute to an exceptional green tea experience

The Ideal Temperature

Unlike black tea or oolong, green tea leaves are minimally oxidized during the production process, retaining their vibrant green colour and delicate flavours. To unlock these flavours and prevent the tea from becoming overly bitter or astringent, it's crucial to brew it at the right temperature. The ideal brewing temperature for green tea is around 80°C (176°F). At this temperature, the water is hot enough to draw out the tea's flavours without scalding the delicate leaves. If the water is too hot, the tea might taste bitter and lose its subtlety. Using cooler water might result in a weaker infusion, leaving you unsatisfied with the final cup as it will be an under extracted cup of tea.

NOTE: The mistake most of us do is to brew the tea in boiling water. The temperature of boiling water is 100 degree Celsius and it causes over extraction of the tea resulting in bitterness

The Time

While steeping time varies depending on personal preference and the specific type of green tea you're using, three minutes is generally regarded as an optimal steeping duration. Steeping the tea for too long can lead to bitterness and astringency, overpowering the tea's nuanced flavours. On the other hand, steeping for too short a time may not fully extract the tea's essence, leaving your cup somewhat underwhelming. By following a strict 3-minute steeping time, you strike the perfect balance, ensuring that the green tea has enough time to release its flavours without becoming unpleasantly bitter.

NOTE: Many a times we keep the tea bag or let the tea leaves immersed into the water for beyond three minutes which results in a not so flavourful cup of tea.

The Brewing Process:

Now that we've understood the science behind the ideal temperature and steeping time, let's dive into the step-by-step brewing process:

Ingredients:

• High-quality loose green tea leaves (1 teas per cup)

• Filtered water

Equipment:

• A teapot or a vessel with a fine mesh infuser

• A thermometer (optional but recommended for precise temperature control)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Water: Heat filtered water to approximately 80°C (176°F). Boiling water should be left to cool for about 2-3 minutes before use to reach the desired temperature.

2. Preheat the Teapot: Pour a small amount of hot water into the teapot and swirl it around to warm the pot. Discard the water.

3. Add the Tea Leaves: Place one teaspoon of green tea leaves per cup into the teapot or an infuser.

4. Pour the Water: Gently pour the heated water over the tea leaves in the teapot. Ensure that all the leaves are fully submerged.

5. Steep for 3 Minutes: Set a timer for precisely 3 minutes and allow the tea to steep. Avoid exceeding the recommended time to prevent bitterness.

6. Once the three minutes are up, carefully pour the brewed tea into your teacup, savouring the delightful aroma as you pour. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your perfect cup of green tea.

Experimenting with Variations

While the 80°C for 3 minutes recipe is an excellent starting point, feel free to experiment with various green tea varieties and find the best combination that suits your taste buds. Some teas may taste better with slightly shorter or longer steeping times, while others may respond well to temperatures slightly below or above 80°C.

Conclusion:

Brewing a cup of green tea may seem like a simple task, but to truly appreciate its delicate flavours and benefits, it's essential to follow the ideal recipe: 80°C water temperature and a 3-minute steeping time. Higher temperatures and longer steep times extract more tannins from tea leaves, contributing greater bitterness to tea.

So, the next time you prepare a cup of green tea, remember to take a moment to enjoy this ancient and cherished beverage to the fullest. Cheers!