What's there to brewing a cup of tea? You just simply boil the water and let it sit, right? Well, that's not exactly right but we're close.
Did you know that steeping the perfect cup of tea is a delicate dance of steeping time and water temperature? Not all teas can be placed in boiling water and not all teas can be left in a pot to come to a rolling boil. Believe it or not, there is actually a method to the madness when it comes to making yourself the perfect cuppa!
Let's uncover the best water temperature to steep or brew various types of tea so you can unlock the best tea drinking experience.
Green Tea
We often hear people say they don't like green teas because of their bitter taste. More often than not, it's likely bitter because it was steeped in water that was too hot. For green tea, it's best to turn the water off when you see the bubbles starting to form, right before it starts to boil.
Water temperature is best between 150 - 175°F (65-80°C).
Black Tea
Black teas demand a bolder approach compared to green teas. The water needs to be hotter in order to extract the full-bodied flavours.
Water temperature is best between 200-212°F (93-100°C).
White Tea
Known for their subtle and delicate flavours, white teas like green are best steeped in lower water temperatures.
Water temperature is best between 160-185°F (71-85°C)
Herbal Tisanes
Fun fact - did you know that a blend without any tea leaves is actually called a tisane? Herbal tisanes are made up of a variety of ingredients such as flowers, fruits and more.
Water temperature is best around 212°F (100°C).
It is important to change the water temperature based on the type of tea you are drinking to elevate your tea drinking experience. However, note that in addition to the water temperature, steeping time is equally important. You'll often find steeping times as instructions on the bags of tea you purchase. Go ahead and experiment to see what you like best!
What's in your cup today?