How to Brew Green Tea

To get the best flavor and the most health benefits out of your green tea, it's best to brew it yourself.

If you've never brewed your own tea before, don't worry - it's much easier than you might think.

For a crash course in how to brew green tea, keep reading!

1) The Water

The water you use to brew your tea makes a very big difference to the flavor and quality of the finished beverage.

Generally speaking, spring water or purified (but not distilled) water will provide you with the best flavor, but if this is not something you can see doing on a daily basis, then tap water will usually be fine; as long as you don't have terribly hard water, it should be OK.

2) Chlorine Is Not A Flavor You Want In Your Tea

Chlorine in your tap water can impart a slightly off taste to your green tea.

To eliminate this, let your water sit in an uncovered pot for a few hours or overnight before boiling; chlorine evaporates much more quickly than water.

3) Boiling

The water temperature also matters. The hotter the water, the more flavor it will extract from your tea leaves.

You want your water to be boiling or just short of the boiling point, so make sure that it's at a full boil before you brew your green tea.

The time it takes for your water to come to a boil depends on how much water you're boiling, obviously - a whistling kettle may a good idea, since this will let you know when your water is ready.

4) Steeping

Most tea requires three to five minutes of steeping before it's ready to drink. The longer you allow your tea to steep, the more polyphenols and other antioxidants will be in your tea.

Of course, there will also be more caffeine present, but given the relatively low caffeine content of green tea, this is probably not a concern for most people.

5) The Leaves

According to studies, smaller leaves brew a better cup of tea, since they can infuse more quickly. Larger leaves or leaves which are tightly compressed will require more steeping time.

Loose Leaf Tea Vs. Teabags

If at all possible, use loose leaf tea.

It is generally fresher and more flavorful and ultimately provides you with a better tasting and healthier cup of green tea.