How To Brew Green Tea

Green tea is said to be full of antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols can be found in green tea and other food sources like fruits and vegetables. These are said to have health benefits, which include reduction of the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Green tea is said to be a rich source of polyphenols. Brewing your own green tea ensures that you get clean and fresh green tea. There are, however, several things to consider when brewing green tea in order to maximize the health benefits that it can give.

To brew green tea, take note of the following:

1. The size of the tea leaves to be brewed. The best tea leaves to be brewed are those that are small and loose. Small and loose green tea leaves can be infused quickly. Bigger tea leaves take a longer time in infusion.
2. The choice between using tea bags and using loose leaves for your green tea. Continuous dunking of the teabag in a teapot is required to be able to extract polyphenols. A teaspoon of loose tea leaves is good for eight ounces or water.
3. Know the right temperature for the water. There are several ways to brew green tea using different temperatures.
   • Green tea should be brewed using temperature around 175 degrees Fahrenheit, plus or minus five degrees. Brewing on too hot water would make the tea bitter.
   • Steeping tea for two to five minutes will increase polyphenol. On the other hand, high caffeine content and low polyphenol is the result of a short steeping time.
   • The extraction of polyphenols happens when boiling water is used.
   • Green tea steeped for less than two minutes using water that has not reached boiling point tastes best, according to traditionalist tea brewers.
4. Brew green tea according to the taste you prefer. It is definitely healthier if the tea is brewed longer because the polyphenols are increased. If you prefer a milder taste, brew your green tea using shorter steeping time.
5. Know the right teapot to use in brewing green tea. Clay teapots should not be used on gas or electric stoves to heat water. Water can be heated using a stainless steel tea pot while the tea leaves re added on the clay pot.
6. Brew only what you will consume. Immediately consume brewed green tea to avoid the bitter taste.
7. Keep your green tea fresh. Use an airtight container for keeping the green tea, whether these are loose leaves or tea bags.

Brewing green tea should be easy. Not only will you enjoy sipping this relaxing drink after a hard day’s work, you will also enjoy the benefits that you will get from brewed green tea.