Gentler water helps
Green tea usually prefers cooler water and a shorter steep than black tea. Water that is too hot can pull bitterness before the sweeter, softer character has a chance.
Keep the green flavour, limit bitterness
- Start around 80°C with about 3 g of leaf in 300 mL of water. A temperature-controlled kettle makes this easier to repeat.
- Try a 2-minute steep and strain. If the flavour is too light, increase the next steep gradually rather than jumping straight to boiling water.
- Genmaicha adds toasted rice character to the green-tea family. Try it if a very grassy green tea is not your first choice.
What does it taste like?
Depending on origin and style, green tea can taste grassy, nutty, marine, floral, creamy or softly sweet.
What about caffeine?
Green tea contains caffeine. The amount varies, and repeated steeps can spread it across more than one cup.
Who might enjoy it?
- You enjoy fresh, vegetal or toasted flavours.
- You want a lighter-bodied true tea.
- You like a drink that changes over repeated steeps.
Brewing reference: TeaSource brewing guide. Use the leaf packet or equipment instructions where they differ.