Green Tea Forum

xisca · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

i bought ethnic authentic green tea and a tea pot e.g.,
amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008XXS9/nextag2-21/ref=nosim.
So I've read I must let the tea and hot water brew simultaneously (as opposed to straining tea) for at least 1 minute and most 4 minutes. So my problem is this tea pot strains the tea immediately after the water fills up.
Is this okay?Will I still get the same health benefits if tea doesn't brew 4-5 minutes. Does the green tea lose important anti oxidants if tea doesnt brew for several minutes.

Thanks

okimasa · Posted: Jun 08, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Cool teapot!

Before I answer your question, green tea shouldn't steep for 4 or 5 minutes. It is all up to personal preference, but generally, one minute to a minute and a half will yield good results.

Anyway, your teapot looks to be ideal for green tea. Green tea needs lots of room to expand, so that rules out the use of tea balls, tea bags and small strainers. However, large stainers (like the one in the picture) will do fine.

As for the antioxidents, pretty much all are in the first infusion (You can use the leaves multiple times). This means all the health benefits will come out in the first minute or so. If you REALLY want all the benefits out of the tea, two minutes would do, but the tea may taste somewhat bitter.

britt · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 175