You want to drink green tea for its health benefits, however, you may think it is bitter and a little hard to drink.
Because green tea is one of the least processed teas, it retains many of its earthy and natural aromas and components. These organic components could be affected by temperature and other variables. Therefore, incorrect brewing can result in an unpleasant bitter or sour flavor.
There are ways you can make your green tea taste better.
Contents
1. Use Quality Green Teas Instead of Tea Bags
Using quality gree teas is the most important factor in making your green tea taste better. If you use low quality teas, no matter how you brew it, it will still taste bad. Use loose leaf or whole leaf teas instead of tea bags. They are of better quality and will give you a more pleasant flavor.
If you’re new to drinking tea, you might begin by purchasing green tea bags. Tea bags are simple to use and practical for traveling. Both the brewing process and cleanup are convenient. However, they don’t provide actual flavor of teas.
Commercial tea bags are usually made of lower quality tea leaves. These leaves are often crushed to dust, giving them a bitter taste. They can also release tannins, which give the tea a dry and astringent taste.
The quality of the tea leaves actually determines how flavorful green tea will be. The region in which the tea was cultivated, the soil’s nutrient level, the climate, and other factors can all affect how the tea tastes.
To get the best flavor, purchase tea from a reputable source. Consider buying loose leaf or whole leaf green tea instead of tea bags. These products are generally of higher quality and will provide a more enjoyable cup of green tea.
2. Brew at the Right Temperature – 160 and 180 degrees
Green tea should be brewed at a lower temperature than black tea. If the water is too hot, it can make the tea taste bitter. The ideal brewing temperature for green tea is between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
This can be achieved by boiling the water and then letting it cool for about two minutes before pouring it over the tea leaves.
If you don’t have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and then let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring it over the tea. Allow the tea to steep for two to three minutes.
3. Steep for Less Than 2 Minutes
You brew a cup of hot water, add in your tea leaves, and wait patiently for 3-5 minutes while it steeps. Sounds perfect, right? However, this method of brewing green tea can make it taste quite bitter.
The key is to not overdo it on the steeping time. For most types of green tea, you should only steep for 1-2 minutes. If you like a weaker cup of tea, steep for 1 minute. If you prefer a stronger cup of tea, steep for 2 minutes. Anything beyond that and your green tea will likely taste quite bitter.
If you’re using a tea bag, most instructions will tell you to steep for 3-5 minutes. This is too long for green tea and will make it taste quite bitter. Instead, steep for 1-2 minutes and then remove the tea bag.
Just like cook steak, there is a sweet spot for the perfect green tea. Steep it for too short and the tea will be weak, steep it for too long and the tea will be bitter.
4. Choose the Right Tea-to-Water Ratio (2 Grams Tea to 8 Ounces Water)
The general rule of thumb is to use 2 grams of tea leaves for every 8 ounces of water. This is the standard ratio that most tea companies use.
If you find that your green tea is too weak, increase the amount of tea leaves. If it’s too strong, reduce the number of tea leaves. Experiment with different ratios until you find one that you like.
5. Use Filtered or Bottled Water
The quality of the water you use to brew your tea can have a big impact on the flavor. That’s because green tea is mostly water, so the quality of the water really matters. If your tap water tastes bad due to chemicals or other impurities, it will make your green tea taste bad too.
To get the best flavor, use filtered or bottled water when brewing green tea. This will help to ensure that the water is clean and free of any impurities.
6. Add Flavors
If you find that green tea is still a little too bitter for your taste, there are some things you can add to it to make it more palatable.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can help take away some of the bitterness in green tea. Just add a little squeeze of lemon juice to your cup of green tea. You can also add a slice of lemon to your teacup. The citrus flavors can help to brighten up the taste of green tea.
Mint Leaves
Mint leaves add refreshing flavor to green tea. They can also help to take away some of the bitterness. Just add a few mint leaves to your cup of green tea. You can also add a sprig of mint to your teacup.
Sweeteners
If you find that your green tea is too bitter, try adding a little bit of sweetness. A small amount of honey, sugar or a stevia leaf can help to round out the flavor and make it more enjoyable.
Fresh Spices and Herbs
There are a variety of fresh spices and herbs that can be added to green tea to make it more flavorful. Some of our favorites include:
- Fresh ginger
- Lavender
- Cinnamon
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Lemon verbena
Just add a small amount of any of these spices or herbs to your cup of green tea. They will bring a spicy flavor and make it more enjoyable.
7. Try Different Types of Green Tea
Most people are familiar with green tea, but there are actually many different types of green tea available. Each type has its own unique flavor profile. Some are more grassy, while others are sweeter. Trying different types of green tea can help you find one that you really enjoy.
You may be surprised to learn some green tea are good taste while some are bitter in the same way you brew and drink it. If you want to make your green tea taste better, start by trying different types until you find one that you really like.
The common green tea is as follows:
Sencha
This is the most popular type of green tea in Japan. It has a grassy flavor with a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Gyokuro
This type of green tea is grown in shade, which gives it a sweeter flavor than other types of green tea.
Matcha
Matcha is a powder made from green tea leaves. It has a very strong flavor and is often used in desserts.
Try brewing a cup of each type of green tea and see which one you like the best. You may be surprised at how different they all taste.
Final Thought
Green tea is a healthy and refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed by everyone. By following these simple tips, you can make green tea that tastes great every time.
So, next time you brew a cup of green tea, remember to use quality green teas instead of tea bags, brew at the right temperature – 160 and 180 degrees, steep for less than 2 minutes, choose the right tea-to-water ratio, use filtered or bottled water, add flavors, and try different types of green tea.
