Although making a cup of tea may seem like a really simple thing, making a really good cup of tea is an art!
Welcome to the second installment of our Green Tea Series. We'll talk you through the different steps to make a great cup of tea and help you choose from our Organic Green Tea Range.
To see the first instalment - Green Tea & Sake Cocktail click here.
The basics:
Teapot or mug?
- It's up to you whether you choose to brew in a teapot or in a mug with a filter, but just make sure that the leaves have enough room to expand so that their full flavour can come out.
- Don't forget to pour a little boiling water into the teapot or mug, swirl it around and then pour it out before you start to brew your tea. This will warm it.
Water
- Traditionally it is believed that for the best cup of green tea you need to use soft water. If you happen to live in a hard water area, try filtering the water before you boil it.
- Remember to use freshly drawn water each time you boil water for tea, it tastes better!
Storage
Store tea leaves in a cool dark place in an airtight container, otherwise they may discolour or spoil.
The different teas and what to do with them:
Qualities With a slightly grassy aroma and deep rich taste, sencha is the classic Japanese green tea. At Clearspring we harvest the tender first of the season leaves, which are known to be the best due to their brighter colour and gentler, slightly sweeter flavour.
Quantities Loose : 1 heaped teaspoon per person into the teapot
Bag: 1 teabag per person
Water temperature 70-90?C - brewing at this temperature will stop the tea from becoming bitter while allowing the full flavour of the tea to come out.
Brewing time 1-2 minutes
Qualities A combination of premium quality sencha green tea and roasted brown rice, genmaicha has a deliciously nutty taste, it was originally a tea drunk by the poor as the rice acted as a bulking agent meaning that less tea could be used to make it. It is now drunk by all walks of society and makes a popular choice for children too.
Quantities Loose : 1 teaspoon per person
Bag: 1 teabag per person
Water temperature 100?C
Brewing time 2 minutes
Qualities When green tea is roasted over a high heat it becomes hojicha, which has a mellow toasty flavour. Chilled hojicha is a classic summer drink.
Quantities Loose : 2-3 level teaspoons per person
Bag: 1 teabag per person
Water temperature 100?C
Brewing time 2 minutes
Qualities Prepared from the roasted twigs and stems of the tea bush, kukicha is much lower in caffeine than other green teas and has a rich toasty flavour.
Quantities Loose : 3 teaspoons for 1 litre of water (will serve 3-4)
Bag: 1 teabag per person
Water temperature Loose: boil the leaves in the water for 5 mins
Bag: 100?C
Brewing time 5 minutes
Qualities Formulated by the Japanese diet and health philosopher, George Ohsawa, in the 1950s, Mu tea is an invigorating caffeine-free blend of Eastern herbs and spices.
Quantities Bag: 1 teabag per person
Water temperature 100?C
Brewing time 3 minutes
To find out about all the health benefits of green tea, have a look here or for information about our tea producers look here.