Green tea is increasingly recognized as a health aid in the fight against cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. However, it's is a beverage that takes a bit of getting used to with a very fresh, fruity, almost grassy taste to it. Some like it, and some don't. But one thing cannot be denied, and that is green tea's many health benefits.
Some people who dislike green tea just haven't had a properly brewed cup. Either it has been too bitter, or too strong, or too weak. So exactly what makes a great cup of green tea? Before we look at some green tea brewing tips, let's take a quick look at the history and health benefits of the popular beverage.
A Brief History of Green Tea
Approximately 5,000 years ago, the Chinese began to use tea as a medicinal beverage to promote mind and body health. While the pop health craze of today lauds the many health benefits of tea (particularly green tea), the beverage has been an integral part of Chinese culture for thousands of years.
The earliest recorded reference to the use of green tea as a health aid goes back to 2737 B.C. But it wasn't until the reign of the Ming dynasty in 1368 A.D. (after the fall of the Mongolian empire) that tea drinking spread from the elite to the populace. It was at that point that interesting stories of the health benefits of green tea emerged. For example, Chinese sailors would drink green tea for the vitamin C which prevented scurvy, a disease which killed numerous European sailors more than 100 years later.
Green tea is unique among teas. While other teas including black and oolong are oxidized during processing, green tea is made from fresh, non-oxidized tea leaves. This gives green tea a fresh, unique taste and aroma in addition to its telltale color. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of green tea is the many health benefits associated with drinking the beverage on a daily basis.
Tips on Brewing Green Tea
If you fail to brew green tea correctly, it may taste too grassy, weak, or strong. Here are some tips for that perfect cup:
* This may run contrary to popular thinking, but don't allow the water to boil. The boiling point of water is 212 degrees; you want the water to be between 180-185 degrees. Use a cooking thermometer if possible.
* Steep green tea for 2 to 2-1/2 minutes. Steeping for less time results in a weak tea, while steeping for more time will make the tea bitter.
* Use filtered water for a more pure tea drinking experience.
* Install a hot water dispenser on your sink (it looks like a regular faucet, but gives you instant hot water). The temperature of the water is perfect for green tea.
* Use a glass coffee press if you're making a batch of green tea, or a glass mug if you're making just one cup. Glass allows the tea to cool faster, which cuts down on bitterness. This practice is akin to the traditional thin porcelain cups used for tea drinking in China.
* If you're in a hurry, heat the water in the microwave. However, keep a very close eye on the temperature. Overheating water in the microwave makes it hotter than the standard boiling point of 212 degrees; and thus will severely impact the taste of your cup of green tea.
* If you want to reuse your tea leaves, immediately plunge the tea strainer containing used leaves into a cup (or bowl) of ice water. If done correctly, you should be able to get at least one more use out of them.
A properly brewed green tea will not only taste better, but its nutrients will be fully retained as well.