How to make tea: the secrets, from boiling to infusion

The ideal boiling water temperature and the steeping time: these two elements contain all the secrets to making tea well and not wasting its aroma and benefits. With a caveat: these values vary depending on the type of tea, but in any case, this is a beverage best sipped and consumed slowly. Just like tea purists, and its consumers in the Eastern world (primarily China and Japan), they prefer to exclude the use of the Lemon;: It alters the original aroma, and can change the color and make the tea more sour and less pleasant.

Index of topics

Water temperature

The water temperature, which generally ranges from 70 to 95 degrees, varies based on the quality of the tea. Specifically:

Japanese green teas 70-75 degrees
Chinese green teas 80-85 degrees
White teas 80-85 degrees
Oolong tea 85-95 degrees
Black tea 85-95 degrees
Tea fermented 90-95 degrees

How to boil water

99 percent of tea is water, so its composition is crucial for good preparation. First of all, avoid water with too much limestone Or, worse, with excessive amounts of chlorine: it alters the flavor of the infusion. Second, avoid bringing the water to a boil: this destroys the oxygen and fades the tea's aroma. Finally, use a kettle specifically designed for tea or a saucepan that hasn't been used to cook other foods. The reason is obvious: the heat could bring out the flavor of previously cooked food and thus alter the aroma of your tea.

Infusion time

Steeping times are also very important because the polyphenols need time to move from the leaves to the water. So, don't rush, otherwise they won't benefit. Steeping times also vary depending on the tea type. In particular:

Chinese and Japanese green teas 2,30 minutes
Black teas 3 minutes
Yellow teas 3 minutes
Oolong tea 4 minutes
White teas 4-5 minutes

What happens if the infusion is too long?

If the infusion is too long there is no harm or health risk. However, the tea It loses much of its aroma, and even its properties, starting with the stimulating properties of theine. At that point, it's simply a beverage.

Can you drink tea during pregnancy?

Many women, especially those accustomed to this drink, ask themselves this question during pregnancy: Can you drink tea? There is no absolute ban but theine (the name of the caffeine contained in tea) almost always manages to cross the placental barrier and reach the liver. So, for example, avoid black and green tea during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), however, recommends not exceeding 200 milligrams of caffeine (or theine) per day during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How to choose the best tea

Obviously on the market it is possible to find many varieties of tea and therefore to orient oneself it is a good idea to make a basic choice, which perhaps combines health benefits with true sustainabilityIn this direction, an equally wide selection comes from Cupper, the world's largest Fairtrade tea brand. Here, the guarantees are different. These tea varieties are all untreated with chemical additives and pesticides, organic, and GMO-free. Likewise, the tea bags used are not bleached with chemicals, no plastic of any kind is used, and the packaging material is bio-vegetable.

Benefits of organic tea

Tea is a beverage with several beneficial effects. Rich in antioxidants, it can counteract the free radicals responsible for aging. This property is particularly enhanced when it comes to a organic productOrganic tea, in fact, while preserving its flavor intact, offers important advantages for each of us and for the environment in general. As regards production, for example, drinking tea organically grown helps support climate-friendly agriculture, capable of contribute to slowing global warmingBut it also encourages wildlife and native diversity. Specifically, organic farmers can use, under very limited circumstances, only 20 pesticides based on natural ingredients, including citronella and clove oil. This preserves the vital role of insects and reduces the amount of pesticides entering the water system.

Making tea well: the boiling method and infusion times (VIDEO)