How to Brew Green Tea



Many people are curious about how to brew green tea. Knowing how to brew green tea the right way is said to increase the antioxidant effects on the body and enhance the health benefits as well.

Using boiling water and making the tea steep for a long time can increase the bitter taste of the tea; however, studies suggest that this is actually good as this increases the amount of polyphenols in the tea.

Here are some guidelines on how to brew green tea so that you can get the most health benefits out of it.

1) TEMPERATURE OF WATER

While some people may tell you that the best green leaf tea is one that is steeped in water that hasn't reached its boiling point yet, researchers will tell you otherwise. Yes, it is true that using hot, not boiling water, for green leaf tea will produce a less bitter tea, hence, better tasting.

However, boiling water promotes extraction of polyphenols which are responsible for the therapeutic value of green tea.

2) STEEPING TIME

Steeping time also affects the quality of green tea. Usually, a steeping time of 2 to 5 minutes is recommended to increase the content of polyphenols in the tea. A shorter steeping time will produce green tea that is low in polyphenol content but high in caffeine.

3) LOOSE LEAVES

Loose tea leaves are better than using tea bags. Loose leaves ensure that the polyphenol content is extracted from the leaves because these are in direct contact with water.

Tea bags, on the other hand, need to be dunked continuously to get the polyphenols because they have the tendency to float on the water.

4) TEA LEAF SIZE

Obviously, the smaller the tea leaf, the better. This is because it infuses quickly unlike large green tea leaves or ones that are tightly curled up which needs a longer time to infuse.

How to Get More Out of Green Leaf Tea

Brewing green leaf tea is really easy and you can do it really quickly. However, some people prefer to take supplements instead of drinking the tea straight. This is much more convenient as you don't have to boil water, wait for the tea to steep, or buy loose green tea leaves.

A natural green leaf tea supplement will ensure that you get all the benefits of green tea just as from drinking the tea. However, a supplement with other nutrients as well like vitamins, minerals, other herb extracts, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, and co-factors is even better as it enhances the overall effects.

A multivitamin supplement with green leaf tea and other natural ingredients may also be better for those who have busy schedules or don't want to take the time to brew a cup of tea for themselves.