However, one tea flavor that will see people mention over and over again is green tea, and for good reason too, as not only is this tea super tasty and delicious, but it’s also really healthy too!
Whilst many people will resort to tea bags, true tea connoisseurs know that loose green tea leaves are the ultimate way to enjoy this incredible blend.
However, brewing loose green tea is much more difficult than you might initially imagine, and if you get it wrong you can end up with a bitter drink with an overwhelmingly grassy taste.
So, if you’re looking to learn how to make green tea properly, as well as some brewing tips, different flavor variations that you can try, as well as a helpful FAQ, then you’re in the right place, as this guide has everything you need to ensure a delicious cup of green tea every time!
A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Make The Perfect Green Tea
As we previously mentioned, making your own green tea at home can be difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience of making it before, and it’s much easier to get it wrong than it is to get it right.
Thankfully, this guide will help to set you in the right direction!
Things You’ll Need For The Perfect Cup Of Green Tea
Green Tea Leaves: Choosing green tea leaves is actually an entire process of its own, as there are a number of different variations available, so it’s up to you to either stick with what you know and love, or experiment with varieties that you’ve yet to try.
Water: You may not think of it initially, but the type of water used can have a considerable difference on the taste of your tea. You should aim to use water that hasn’t been boiled, and if possible, use filtered water.
Mug/Cup: Having your favorite mug or tea cup at the ready is always a good idea, although you can always make your tea in a jug or teapot if you’re aiming to make a batch.
Tea Leaves Strainer/Sieve: Some people aren’t too fond of loose tea leaves present in their beverage, so you might want to use a sieve or tea leaf strainer to help remove them.
Thermometer: Not a necessity, but it does make it much easier to control the temperature of the water when using one.
Sweeteners: Again, not a requirement, but sometimes you just can’t beat adding some honey or maple syrup into your green tea.
Now that you’ve got everything you need, it’s time to begin brewing!
Making Your Green Tea
In order to begin making your green tea, you’ll first need to raise the temperature of your water to between 176 to 185 degrees fahrenheit, or 80-85 degrees celsius.
It’s important to note that this means that your water isn’t boiling, and is best achieved by using a temperature controlled kettle.
Alternatively, using a stovetop and a thermometer is also a great way to get your water to the right temperature, ensuring that you remove the water from the heat once it’s reached the right temperature.
Then, pour the water into your desired mug/cup/teapot/jug, and then add your tea leaves to the water, leaving plenty of room, as tea leaves can expand when added to hot water.
You can also use a sieve or tea strainer to add your tea leaves to the water if you don’t like loose leaves in your tea.
With your tea leaves added, you then need to steep the tea leaves for three minutes, although this time can vary slightly depending on how strong you like your tea.
If this is your first time drinking green tea, or you’re just unsure on how strong it will taste, then taste the tea initially after a minute of steeping, and then if needed, at 30 second intervals, until it tastes to your liking!
Steeping your tea for too long will ultimately lead to the bitter and grassy taste that so many people complain about when trying (see also: The Ultimate Guide To Tea (6 Examples You NEED To Try))green tea after making it at home, so getting it right is extremely important.
You can then add any sweeteners (if you’d like) and then you’re good to go!
Making Green Tea Taste Good
While some people love the taste of plain green tea,(see also: What Does Green Tea Taste Like?) others have to add in some extras in order to achieve the taste they want.
So, if you’re looking to experiment with the taste of your tea, here are some things you can try adding:
Cinnamon Pieces
Fresh ginger or ginger powder
Mint, peppermint, or chocolate mint
Edible flowers, such as jasmine, rose, or lavender
Dried fruit, such as peach, pineapple, mango, strawberries etc
Citrus peel from lemon, orange, or grapefruit.
Green Tea Tips
If you want to make iced green tea, make it as per our guide, then allow it to cool before refrigerating, add ice cubes and lemon juice for extra flavor.
If your tea leaves are still green after brewing, then it’s a sign of truly authentic green tea.
Cold brewing is a way of removing the bitterness, but can take up to 3-10 hours when done in the refrigerator
Whole tea leaves can sometimes be used up to three times, and each time will give the tea a different flavor, so feel free to experiment
For an alternative to tea bags or loose tea leaves, research “flowering teas”, which bloom as you add them to the water as you brew.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has helped to provide you with all of the details on how to make some delicious green tea, enjoy!
