Why Water Temperature Matters More Than You Think
With so many varieties of loose leaf tea to choose from, it's hard to pick just one sometimes. But if you've been on a green tea kick (like we often are), you know that green tea can be fickle to prepare. We hear it from customers all the time: "My green tea tastes bitter." Nine times out of ten, the issue is water temperature.
Green tea leaves are delicate. They're minimally processed, which preserves their fresh, grassy character, but it also means they're more sensitive to heat than black or oolong teas. Pour boiling water over green tea and you'll scorch the leaves, releasing harsh tannins that overpower the natural sweetness.
The Right Temperature for Brewing Green Tea
The ideal water temperature for most green teas is 175°F (80°C). If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, just boil your water and let it cool for about three minutes. That will bring it down to roughly the right range.
Some green teas do better with slightly different temperatures:
Japanese green teas like sencha and gyokuro prefer the lower end, around 160 to 175°F. Gyokuro, in particular, benefits from cooler water (even as low as to 150°F) to bring out its rich umami character.
Chinese green teas like Dragonwell and Mao Jian can handle slightly higher temperatures, around 175 to 185°F, since their pan-fired processing makes them a bit more heat-tolerant than steamed Japanese greens.
We Put It to the Test
We decided to test our own advice by brewing our Organic Sencha three ways: with boiling water, with 175°F water, and cold brewed using our Steep & Go tumbler.
We steeped the two hot teas for 2 minutes, and the difference was visible immediately. The boiling water brew was a dark yellow, while the 175°F brew was a lighter, brighter yellow. The cold brew, which infused for about 20 minutes, had the lightest color of all.
But the real difference was in taste. The tea brewed at 175°F was slightly sweet and grassy, balanced perfectly with a gentle saltiness that's typical of a good Sencha. Delicious and rounded. The boiling water version was noticeably more bitter, and that bitterness buried the sweet, grassy notes. It also picked up a roasted quality that pulled away from the tea's natural vegetal character.
Worth noting: we're at high elevation here in Boulder, CO, where water boils at around 205°F. At sea level (212°F), the flavor difference would likely be even more dramatic.
The tea cold brewed in the Steep and Go was light and refreshing, and the sweetness really came out of the background. It was a very refreshing afternoon treat, and a great way to enjoy any green tea! This experiment was a good reminder that the advice that we give to customers is sound: using the correct temperature of water makes a better cuppa, and a better tea drinking experience!
How to Brew Green Tea: Step by Step
What you need: About 1 teaspoon of loose leaf green tea per 8 oz cup, a tea infuser or basket, and fresh filtered water.
Heat your water to 175°F. If you're boiling, let it cool for about 3 minutes before pouring.
Steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Green tea doesn't need long. Start with 2 minutes and adjust from there. Steeping too long will pull out extra tannins and make the cup bitter, even if your temperature is right.
Use a basket infuser, not a tea ball. Green tea leaves need room to unfurl and release their full flavor. A cramped tea ball restricts this and gives you a weaker, less nuanced cup. Our Steepware infusers are designed with this in mind.
Re-steep. Good green tea can be steeped 2 to 3 times. The second steep often reveals new flavor notes you didn't catch in the first cup. Just add another 30 seconds to the steep time for each round.
Cold Brewing Green Tea
Cold brewing is the most forgiving way to make green tea, and honestly one of the most delicious. Because there's no heat involved, you don't extract the bitter tannins at all. The result is a naturally sweet, smooth, incredibly refreshing cup.
To cold brew green tea, add about 1.5 teaspoons of tea per 8 oz of cool or room temperature water. Place it in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours (or overnight, it's very forgiving with timing). Strain and enjoy. That's it.
In our experiment, the cold brewed Sencha was light and refreshing, and the natural sweetness of the tea really came forward. It's a perfect afternoon pick-me-up, especially in warmer months. Our Cold Brew Sport Bottle and Craft Cold Brew Filters make this even easier since the built-in infusers let you brew on the go.
Cold brewing works beautifully with almost any green tea. If you want something fruity, try cold brewing Boulder Blues for a naturally sweet, berry-forward iced tea. For something more traditional, a cold brewed Dragonwell is buttery and smooth.
Quick Reference: Green Tea Brewing Guide
Hot brew: 175°F water, 1 tsp per 8 oz, steep 2 to 3 minutes. Can re-steep 2 to 3 times.
Cold brew: Cool water, 1.5 tsp per 8 oz, refrigerate 2 to 4 hours. Very forgiving on timing.
Iced tea (flash method): Brew hot at double strength (2 tsp per 8 oz), steep 2 minutes, pour directly over a full glass of ice. Instant iced green tea with bright, punchy flavor.
Best Green Teas to Start With
If you're new to green tea or looking to explore, here are a few favorites from our collection:
Boulder Blues is a fruity green tea with blueberry that's incredible hot or cold brewed.
Moroccan Mint combines Chinese gunpowder green with spearmint for a bright, refreshing cup.
Jasmine Pearls are hand-rolled green tea scented with jasmine blossoms. Floral, elegant, and perfect for multiple steeps.