Brewing green tea

Brewing tea is a routine for many, or a ritual for others. Many of us seek meditation and tranquillity in it, as did the tea masters of old. Drinking tea is turning into a way to relax, calm down and build interpersonal relationships.

To enjoy tea, we do not need to gain full knowledge of Chinese or Japanese culture. It is enough to show interest and respect. Perhaps this beverage which is popular in Poland will help us find inner peace and tranquillity.

How to brew green tea

It is said that we appreciate the true taste of green tea only after the third sip. The first sip prepares us to drink, the second awakens our senses, and the third allows us to fully enjoy the taste. For this to happen, tea must be brewed correctly. Any tea – black, green or white – should be brewed according to its type. The brewing method also depends on the size of leaves. The larger and more curled the leaves, the longer we should brew them. It is best to pour almost boiling water over black tea and herbal mixtures. Green teas taste best when water at 60-90 degrees Celsius is used, depending on the type and leaf size.

Green tea brewing temperature

To accurately determine the temperature of the water you may use a special thermometer, but you can also manage without it. All you need to do is wait the appropriate amount of time after boiling water: after 3-4 minutes it reaches 90 degrees Celsius, and after 12-14 minutes – 75 degrees Celsius. To prepare an aromatic and tasty tea, soft water with low calcium content is best. Remember not to boil the water for too long, it is best to stop the process at the so-called “white boiling” stage. How can you recognise this? The first stage of boiling begins when air bubbles break away from the bottom and walls of the pot and appear on the surface of the water. In the second stage, the bubbles rise en masse, causing the water to become slightly cloudy and even confluent. This stage is what we call “white boiling”: it lasts for a short time and quickly proceeds to the third stage of intense and turbulent boiling.

How many times to brew green tea

Most green teas are suitable for brewing two or three times. The first brew, which has stimulating properties, should be short and last about 1-3 minutes. Subsequent brews, which have a relaxing effect, can be longer. Tea is sold in a dried form comprised of large leaves (we brew them longer), express teas containing shorter and broken leaves, or even powdered form. The last one is Matcha which is currently very fashionable and can successfully replace your morning coffee.