Green tea can be delicious or too bitter to drink. To make the perfect cup of tea at home, you can use high-quality tea bags, tea leaves, or Japanese green tea (matcha) powder. Whatever method you use to make your tea, make sure to always use fresh water that isn't too hot and don't brew the tea for too long. Green tea tastes great without any additives, but you can also add honey and lemon for flavor.
Ingredients
Green Tea Bags
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- Lemon or honey, optional
For 1 cup (250 ml) tea
Green Tea Leaf
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) green tea leaves
For 3/4 cup (180 ml) tea
Matcha Green Tea
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (2 grams) matcha green tea powder
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
For a small cup of tea
Step
Method 1 of 3: Brew Green Tea Bags
Step 1. Bring the water to a boil and let it cool down to around 80 degrees Celsius
Heat the water on the stove or electric kettle until it starts to boil. After that, turn off the heat and open the lid of the kettle so that the water in it cools faster. Let the water cool for about 5 minutes or until it reaches 80 degrees Celsius.
Boiling water can burn the tea when brewed, making it bitter and unpleasant
Step 2. Put 1 tea bag in the cup
You should pay attention to the ratio of 1 tea bag to 1 cup (250 ml) of water. So, if you want to make more than 1 cup of green tea, consider putting 2 or 3 teabags in the teapot. That way, you can add more water.
If you have time, warm the cup before brewing the tea. Just pour hot water into the tea and let it sit for 30 seconds. After that, remove the hot water from the cup
Step 3. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water into a tea bag
Slowly pour 80 degrees Celsius of water into the cup. If you have a coaster or small saucer, use it to cover the cup to prevent steam from escaping and cooling the tea.
Step 4. Brew the tea for 2-3 minutes
If you prefer a lighter, lighter-tasting tea, just brew the tea for 2 minutes. For a stronger and sharper taste, steep the tea for 3 minutes.
Do not brew the tea for more than 3 minutes or it will become bitter
Step 5. Remove the tea bag and enjoy the green tea
Remove the teabag from the cup and allow the rest of the tea to drip into the cup. Set aside tea bags and reuse or throw them away. Now, you can enjoy hot green tea or add a little honey or lemon to taste.
Don't squeeze the teabag, as this will only expel the bitter component inside
Tip:
if you use a high quality teabag, you can use it at least 1 more time.
Method 2 of 3: Brew Green Tea Leaves
Step 1. Heat the water to about 75-80 degrees Celsius
If you are using a stove or electric kettle, bring the water to a boil first and then turn off the heat. Let the water cool for about 5 minutes until the temperature reaches 75-80 degrees Celsius.
Always use water that has not been boiled before to help the tea leaves open during brewing
Step 2. Put 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of tea leaves in a small teapot
You can use a small measuring spoon or digital balance to measure the weight of the tea leaves. Insert the tea leaves directly into the teapot or tea strainer if your teapot has one.
If you have time, you can pour hot water into the teapot to warm it up. After that, drain the hot water and put the tea leaves in the teapot
Variation:
For a stronger tea, use about 1 teaspoon (5 or 6 grams) of tea leaves.
Step 3. Pour 3/4 cup (180 ml) of hot water over the surface of the tea leaves
You should be able to see the tea leaves starting to open when exposed to hot water. If you can, cover the teapot to prevent moisture from escaping.
You can also place a small saucer over the teapot to prevent the moisture from escaping
Step 4. Brew the green tea for 1-2 minutes
Set the alarm for 1 minute then use a spoon to taste the tea. If you like the taste, you can stop brewing the tea or continue until the taste is strong enough for your taste.
If you use 1 tablespoon (5 grams) of tea leaves, you can brew it in much less time. Try tasting the tea every 10 seconds until it's to your liking
Step 5. Strain the tea leaves or remove the brewing strainer and enjoy the tea
You can lift the brew strainer from the tea so that the rest drips into the teapot. If your teapot doesn't have a brewing filter, set a strainer over a small cup and then slowly pour the tea from the teapot into the cup. Enjoy the tea while it's hot.
- Squeeze a little lemon or pour a little honey into the tea if you prefer a fresher tea.
- You can save the tea leaves and brew another 1-2 pots of tea using them. Keep in mind that already brewed tea leaves only need to be brewed again in a shorter time because they are already open.
Method 3 of 3: Making Matcha Green Tea
Step 1. Place a fine wire strainer over a matcha tea cup
If you don't have a matcha tea cup (also known as matcha-chawan) you can use a small cup or small bowl. However, make sure the bowl you use is heat-resistant.
If you like, you can warm the teacup to keep the matcha tea from getting cold. To warm the teacup, pour boiling water and let it sit for 30 seconds then drain the water slowly
Step 2. Sift 1 1/2 teaspoons (2 grams) of matcha powder into a tea cup
Pour the measured matcha powder into the sieve. Then use the back of a spoon to gently push the matcha powder through the sieve and into the teacup.
The sifted matcha powder should look like bright green dust in a tea cup
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil and let it cool down to 80-90 degrees Celsius
Since matcha green tea doesn't require too much water, just boil 1 cup (250 ml) of water on a stove or electric kettle. Once the water boils, remove the kettle from the heat and let it cool for about 1 minute until the temperature has dropped.
To get the best matcha green tea, use clean, fresh water that has never been boiled before
Do you know?
Pouring boiling water over matcha powder can actually burn it.
Step 4. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of hot water into a tea cup
Slowly pour 80-90 degrees Celsius water into the matcha powder in the tea cup.
The matcha powder should start to dissolve when it is exposed to the hot water
Matcha Latte:
To make milk matcha tea, dissolve matcha powder in 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of boiling water. After that, pour in about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of steamed milk.
Step 5. Stir this mixture for 20-60 seconds to make matcha green tea
Use a bamboo stirrer (also known as a chasen) to mix the tea powder with the water. Try to relax your wrists and stir the tea in a circular motion if you want a light tea. If you want a thicker, more bubbly tea, stir it quickly back and forth.
To make a light, smooth tea, stir for 20 seconds. You'll need to stir the tea for about 1 minute if you want to make the tea bubbly
Step 6. Enjoy the matcha green tea while it's hot
You can drink this green tea directly from the cup. Try to enjoy the tea as soon as you finish stirring as the matcha powder will settle to the bottom of the tea if left too long.
