In the USA, a lot of people don’t actually have electric kettles in their homes. While in the UK, electric kettles are kitchen appliances that pretty much all households have.
But in the USA, this isn’t the case. So, when it comes to heating water for a cup of tea, you will often have to be a little more adventurous.
One very popular way to heat water in the USA is to use a stovetop kettle or pan. All you need to do is add some water to the kettle or pan, then pop it on your stove, and leave it to heat.
But this can take quite some time, which is why a lot of people now use a microwave to heat water for tea.
Microwaves are excellent kitchen appliances, and most people will have one. They are also able to heat water for tea in a record time. But, how long should you microwave water for tea?
Keep on reading to find out!
How Long Should You Microwave Water For Tea?
Well, before we take a look at how long you should microwave the water for your tea, it’s important to note that there are two methods you can use when microwaving water for tea.
You can either microwave the water on its own, or you can microwave it with the teabag.
Microwaving Plain Water
While you may not think it’s possible, burning water is actually something that you can do, and it is surprisingly common when heating up water in the microwave.
Microwaves are very powerful so if you get the timings wrong, it is possible for you to burn your water.
For this very reason, it is better to heat your water in short bursts in the microwave, rather than simply popping the water in the microwave for an extended period.
Opening the microwave door allows the steam to escape, and also allows you to check on the progress of the water.
Generally speaking, your water will be boiled within 30 seconds of being placed in the microwave.
So after this time has passed, take it out and pour it over your tea bag and leave it to steep. In just a few minutes, you will have a delicious cup of tea to drink.
Microwaving Water With Tea
If you want to speed up the process, then it is actually possible for you to pop the tea in the microwave with the water. This is a popular method as it allows your tea to steep as it is being made. Cool right?
To microwave your water with the tea bag in it, simply fill a mug with water and pop your tea bag inside. Then put the mug in the microwave and set your microwave to medium heat.
Set the microwave to go for around 30 seconds, and then your tea will be ready to drink.
Simply take the mug out of the microwave, remove the tea bag (see also: How Many Tea Bags For One Gallon?)and add sugar or milk depending on your preference. Then sit back and enjoy your delicious cup of tea.
Is It Okay to Microwave Water For Tea?
Yes, it is perfectly okay to microwave water for tea. While this might seem a little odd to any British readers, microwaving water is an excellent option if you don’t have an electric kettle as it will really speed up the process.
The only thing that you need to be conscious of when microwaving water for tea is not over-boiling the water. If the water is left in the microwave for too long, it can give it a strange taste which can really ruin your cup of tea.
The first few times you microwave water for tea, it is likely that you may get the timings wrong and this can affect the flavor of your tea. However, once you get it right, the flavor of this tea will be incredible.
Does Tea Taste Different If You Microwave the Water?
If you only drink tea that has been made using microwaved water, then it is likely that you will not notice any difference in the flavor.
Tea made in an electric kettle does taste a lot better than tea made using the microwave.
That is because the kettle is designed for heating water. For this very reason, it is able to get the water to the perfect temperature for making a delicious cup of tea(see also: How To Brew The Perfect Cup Of Tea).
However, the microwave shouldn’t be frowned upon when making a cup of tea. This tea still tastes great, and after having a few cups, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference.
Why Shouldn’t You Heat Tea In The Microwave?
There are some people who think you shouldn’t heat tea in the microwave.
A lot are of this opinion because tea tastes better when made in the kettle. Others hold this opinion because it can be tricky to get your tea out of the microwave.
When you make tea using a kettle, the mug of your tea will get very hot, but the handle will remain cool and safe to use. But if you make your tea in the microwave using a kettle, then the handle of the mug will heat up too.
This can make removing your mug of tea difficult.
This is avoided when using a microwave to just heat water as you can use a heat-resistant microwave bowl for the job. Then, when you transfer the water to your mug, the handle will remain cool.
Summary
In short, you can microwave water for tea in as little as 30 seconds. But remember to keep a close eye on your water as it can burn which will lead it to taste funny when added to your tea.
If you have an electric kettle, then this will always be the best option for making tea. But, if you haven’t, then the microwave allows you to make a quick and convenient cup of tea in less than a minute.
