10 green tea mistakes: Don’t do these mistakes when brewing green tea

July 13, 2022

 

Green tea tastes great, especially when you try a sample of it at groceries and tea festivals. When you got home and brewed your tea, the result is having a bitter green tea or just a drinkable tea that lacks flavor. Cheer up! You just did not know how to brew green tea right. Please don't give up on tasting good green tea, and let's learn how to make it right by discussing the following mistakes.  

#1 Not using leaves and just buying green tea leaves in the grocery

Green tea bags and powders are convenient, but it is better to use green tea leaves to reap the most of the green tea benefits. It does not mean that you can just grab green tea leaves at the grocery. You must look for the quality because some leaves were inconsistent in shape and color. A greener tea or drier tea does not mean a high-quality tea. Look for color and shape consistencies and the rolled leaves' texture to see how well these were packed. Don’t just be fooled by beautiful packaging. Bright green or very green leaves do not mean fresh green tea.

#2 Buying bulk for your consumption

Besides taking note of the expiry date, buy green tea leaves that can last for you up to 3 months because buying too many stocks will make the leaves too old for steeping. It is not true that storing green tea for many years will make an aged and better-tasting tea. The freshest tea is the one with proper storage and won't take too long for the leaves to be made into tea.

#3 Using distilled water and mineral water

Water should taste good, whether it is soft tap water, spring, or bottled water. You may use bottled water except for mineral and distilled water. Distilled water makes boiled or hot water with tea tastes metallic or dull, while hard water has more mineral particles making your drink tastes flat. It also wreaks havoc on the green tea leaves while brewing.

If you don't have soft tap water, use filtered water or get a good water filter system. Note: To be sure, taste the water first before using it to make a green tea drink. The water to be used must not be acidic or alkalized.

#4 Using boiling water

Hot water at boiling point will make green tea lose its flavor because the water will burn or cook the leaves. Boil water and just let it sit for a few minutes before using it to brew green tea. When using a stove and kettle, remember how low or high the flame is. Remember the minutes, so If the tea tastes good, that’s the waiting time. An electric kettle with temperature control or a kettle with a thermometer is a better option.

#5 Rushing the tea brewing process. Tea drinking is supposedly a time to calm and relax.

Small green tea leaves will brew more quickly than large ones and see after 1 minute if green tastes good. If not, just wait for another 30 minutes and taste it again. In case of caffeine energy boost, you can steep the green tea for 3 to 5 mins., steeping it longer than 5 minutes will not make an energy-boosting green tea. Steeping it too long will result in a bitter taste, which will be toxic for you instead of refreshing. For good quality green tea, you can re-steep these 2-3 times.

Here’s a fix. If you over-brew your tea, just make it into iced tea or milk tea. You may add honey, lemon, or lime when the tea is warm or not too hot.

#6 Using Ball Infuser Type

Leaves can become larger in size when steeping, and using a wider / larger filter or infuser is better than using a ball-type infuser. Don’t have an infuser? You can pour the water directly on the leaves inside the teapot/glass pitcher and strain the leaves when drinking this on a cup. For beginners, it is great to use a mug with an infuser.

#7 Use a teapot for green tea only

Washing the teapot will remove the residue, but the tea smell still lingers there. Having steeped too many teas or juices on the teapot will surely ruin your tasting experience with green tea unless you just want to drink green tea with several flavors in one.

#8 Do not put less than one teaspoon

For best extraction of green tea flavor, use around one teaspoon of tea leaves; you may add more in case after one and a half minutes, the taste is still bland to you. When the taste is too strong, you can use fewer leaves next time you drink.

#9 Using a wide-mouthed cup

Same with teapot, there must be designated cups only for green tea use. If you notice, most green teacups have narrow mouths. A wide-mouthed cup will turn almost all your tea drink cold quickly, unlike in narrow-mouthed teacups where only the top will become a bit less warm so you can sip, then the rest of the tea drink is still warm. The most common type of Japanese teacup, the one without handles, is called Yunomi. The other common types are Chawan and Matchawan.

#10 Using a non-airproof container for storage and keeping it in a bright-lighted room

Tea leaves will lose their freshness in a short time if you just roll the packaging or transfer it to a plastic bag. Store green tea in an airtight container and place this in a dark place because light will eat away its abundant chlorophyll making green tea taste metallic.

Drinking green tea is enjoyable and a great time to relax. Whether you are alone or having a chat, a good-tasting tea will make your body feel rejuvenated. Enjoy your drink. We hope you can improve your tea brewing skills, and experiencing several mistakes won't stop you from being a green tea lover.

---

Related Articles You May Be Interested

---

Get Free Bonus Content

If you have ever thought that Green Tea is an “acquired taste” or that it is “too bitter” to enjoy, we’re here to change your mind! We want everyone to experience the health benefits of Green Tea and show you that this can be an amazing, refreshing, and delicious drink when made correctly. With just a few tips on how to brew this powerful leaf we can change your mind about the taste and enjoyment of drinking Green Tea.

Don’t miss out on the health benefits of tea!

• Improve health
• Increase brain function
• Regulate weight
• Lower your risk of cancers
• Reduce risk of heart disease
• Lowers risk of diabetes

We know that you will love these tips for brewing tea and getting the most flavor and elegance out of every cup.  Sign up for the Free Japanese Green Tea Club and get this great informative manual on brewing green tea. You will learn what it is that makes it one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Sign up for Green Tea Club to Get The Two Books for Free.

Website

Unsubscribe anytime. It's Free!

What do you think about the article? Please comment below or reply me privately here!

Share:

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

---

Also in Japanese Green Tea and Health