Tea is second only to water as one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. There are four varieties of tea: green, white, black and oolong. Green tea is used extensively in alternative medicine and is believed to be high in antioxidants. Loose leaf green tea, derived from the youngest leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is thought to have more flavor and a higher concentration of antioxidants than green tea from a tea bag. Brewing a cup of loose leaf green tea is a simple way to enjoy this warm and potentially healthy beverage.
Step 1
Spoon 1 tsp. loose leaf green tea into a teapot for every 6 oz. cup of tea you desire.
Step 2
Heat 6 oz. of water per cup of tea to just below boiling. For green tea, a temperature of 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
Step 3
Pour the heated water into the teapot, and cover with the teapot lid.
Step 4
Let the tea steep, also called brew or infuse, for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes.
Step 5
Pour the brewed tea through the tea strainer into a teacup.
Tips and Warnings
- Without using a thermometer, a good way to approximate a water temperature of 150 to 170 degrees is to heat the water until the steam just begins to rise, but does not yet form bubbles. Instead of a traditional tea strainer, you can use a tea infuser, which holds the loose tea leaves in an enclosed capsule. An infuser is placed directly into the teapot filled with hot water, and removed when brewing is done.
- Consult your doctor before using green tea to treat or protect against any illness. Brewing the tea for longer than the suggested time will make the tea taste bitter.
Things You'll Need
- 1 tsp. loose-leaf green tea leaves
- 6 oz. hot water
- Teapot
- Teacup
- Tea strainer or tea infuser
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