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Green Tea Information (Home) > Green Tea Basics > Brewing Green Tea
Brewing Green TeaNowadays many people drink tea around the world, and studies are now suggesting that one variety of tea in particular green tea is believed to have many healthful benefits. Green tea is brewed differently from black tea because of its fresh green leaf which makes a slightly astringent tea. With cooler water and shorter brewing time, we get more delicate flavor from the unfermented leaf. A perfect cup of green tea indicates different things to different people. Many tea experts believe that the best-tasting green tea is brewed for under one minute with hot, but not boiling, water. Using boiling water is thought to produce bitter flavor to the tea. One of the issues that discourage tea drinkers from brewing green is that they don't know how to simply and easily prepare a cup for themselves, which reliably good tastes. We really have to think of it as a different drink from black tea, chai, or herbal infusions. Water temperature is a crucial factor in bringing out the best qualities of green tea. If the water temperature is too hot, the tea will be too bitter and much of its delicate aroma will be gone. And if the water temperature is too cool, the full flavor contained in the leaves will not be extracted. A number of substances in the leaf supply to the flavor and aroma of green tea. The overall flavor and sweetness of green tea is determined by various amino acids and natural sugars. Bitterness and astringency are produced by polyphenols ("tannins"). Amino acids are melted at 140°F (60 °C) while tannins at 176°F (80°C). Therefore, green tea is brewed at lower temperatures which will ensure that its sweet and complex flavors will not be overpowered by the bitter-tasting flavors. Green teas are very delicious when it is brewed at temperatures between 140°F - 185°F. The grade of the tea and the time of its harvest will also manipulate the appropriate steeping temperature. In advance, Green teas picked in the spring will benefit from lower temperature brewing due to their overall higher levels of amino acids. Green tea does not require much time but too long a steeping time will result in more bitterness and a less balanced flavor. It is recommended to experimenting with a range of 1 to 3 minutes. Japanese green teas generally taste best at 1 to 2 minutes while Chinese green teas seem to prefer 2 to 3 minutes. The smaller leaves of Japanese teas will extract faster than the normal larger leaves of Chinese teas. Steeping time should be balanced with water temperature: the lower the temperature and the longer the tea can be steeped. Green tea has not been evaluated by the FDA, which for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All possible risks and/or advantages of green tea may not be known. Additionally, there is no regulated manufacturing standard in place for these compounds. Before taking green tea, it better to consult with family doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if we have any medical condition, or if we take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Green tea is not recommended in some situations.
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