Learn the Art of Brewing Green Tea - How to brew Green Tea and Have It Turn Out Delicious
Although it's not hard to do, there are a few things to consider when brewing green tea...
Note: This pages focuses on brewing loose leaf green tea. Here is more specific information on Brewing Matcha, Brewing Gyokuro, and Iced Green Tea)
Printable PDF Green Tea Brewing Instructions
Printable PDF Matcha Brewing Instructions
Water quality...
Good quality water is essential for making a good cup of green tea. Make sure you're using good water. Bottled mineral water is usually quite good!
Water temperature...
This is where most mistakes are made. Brew your green tea too hot, and your tea will become bitter. The correct temperature does vary depending on the green tea, but for most it is around 165-170 degrees F (73-76 C.)
Proportion of green tea to water...
Most of our green teas are brewed at 1 heaping teaspoon (5 grams) per 8 ounces (230-260ml) of water, but this can vary depending on the tea.
Brew time...
Generally, one to two minutes (max) is all it takes. Some teas do well at just 30 or 45 seconds for the first infusion. Any longer and the taste may become too bitter. Also, it's very important to NOT stir, shake, or mix the tea until ready to pour.
Allowing the tea room to expand...
This is rather important. Japanese green tea is compact - it needs room to expand. Tea balls do not work well at all. You'll be much better off using a Japanese teapot that was designed with green tea in mind. It is a one time investment of between $30-$100, and will make your life so much easier.
Take a good look at the inside of this green tea teapot to the left, made in Japan. The infuser screen goes all the way around the inside of the teapot, allowing the tea leaves to expand fully. This is the best kind to use. These teapots are rather small, about the size of a grapefruit, and usually hold 8-13 ounces or so.
Step-By-Step Instructions To Brew Green Tea
Here is a time proven method. The first time you do it, you'll have to think about it but it soon becomes an easy routine.
You will need:
- Teapot
- Teacups(s) - For our method, you will need one or two more empty teacups than what you actually plan to drink.
- A good green tea
- Teaspoon
- A thermometer (for the first time or two, just to get a feel.)
Step 1.
Heat water in a tea kettle, bringing it to just the point where it's simmering and is about to boil, then remove from heat. At this stage, your water temperature will be close to 200 F (93 C)
Step 2.
Pour hot water into your empty (no tea leaves just yet) teapot, filling it, and allow it to sit like that for about a minute or two. The water temperature drop will drop to around 185 F (85 C). Added benefit - The teapot is pre-warmed at the same time (an essential step when brewing gyokuro).
Step 3.
+ After waiting for about a minute or two, pour the hot water from the teapot into your teacup(s). This will do several things - drop the temperature, pre-warm the teacup(s), plus the exact amount of water you will use to brew your green tea. Drain remaining hot water from teapot. Set aside with the lid open.
Step 4.
+ Add one teaspoon (4-6 grams) of loose leave green tea into the now warm, empty teapot. If you happen to have a scale that measures out grams, this is even better!
Step 5.
+ + After waiting for about a minute or two, pour the hot water from the teacup(s) back into the teapot with the dry green tea leaf in it. The temperature will drop to around 165-175 F (70 C), perfect for sencha.
Step 6.
+ 
Pour hot water from your teacups directly into your teapot, and brew for 1 to 2 minutes. Be sure to drain well and set the teapot aside for further infusions.
At this point, before you actually take your first sip, take a look at the color. Smell the aroma. With experience, you will soon be able to the tell the good green tea from the mediocre green tea. You will see tiny bits of tea floating around that will settle to the bottom. This is normal, drink them up! One teaspoon can make 3 to 5 infusions.
You may also want to visit...
How to Brew Green Tea -
The Top Ten Reasons Your Green Tea Didn't Turn Out Great
O-Cha.com
22 Kajimachi, Taira
Iwaki-City, Fukushima
970-8026 JAPAN
