No, you generally should not use boiling water (212°F/100°C) for green tea, as it scorches delicate leaves, extracts too many bitter compounds (catechins), and degrades amino acids, leading to a harsh, bitter taste; instead, use water cooled to 160-180°F (70-82°C) to coax out sweet, savory, and umami notes for a smoother, more flavorful brew, though some robust green teas like Hojicha can handle slightly hotter water.
However, some research has shown that boiling hot water (100 C/ 212F) can degrade EGCG leading to less antioxidant power [7,8,9]. Two studies showed greater antioxidant extraction for cold water than hot water, but only after infusion over several hours [17,18].
The green tea steeped in cold water for 2 hours had significantly higher concentrations of antioxidants and other nutrients than that steeped in hot or cold water for 5 minutes. As strange as it sounds, this implies that cold-steeped green tea is healthier than hot green tea.
Exposing green tea to boiling water can lead to the degradation of these amino acids, resulting in a loss of the tea's pleasant umami taste. By using water at a lower temperature, you can help preserve the delicate balance of amino acids, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Key Takeaways. Drinking green tea daily might improve heart health by lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. Green tea can enhance brain health by improving mood, reaction time, and memory.
The caffeine in green tea might also speed up the nervous system. Taking green tea along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems, including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with caffeine.
Green tea contains compounds that may interact with iron supplements, iron-rich foods, folic acid, caffeine, dairy products, and spicy or acidic foods. To minimize the interaction risk, consume green tea at least one to two hours after taking your supplements. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Many suggest drinking green tea in the morning to boost metabolism, or before exercise to potentially enhance fat burning. Avoid drinking it too close to bedtime if you're sensitive to caffeine.
The Dark Side of Green Tea: When Too Much is Harmful
Green tea contains tannins and catechins, which can bind to iron in food and make it harder for the body to absorb. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking tea with meals reduced iron absorption by up to 60%.
Typically, people bring their water to a boil and then put their tea inside of the cup or pot, but that's not the correct way to steep tea. Using boiling water will make the tea taste bitter and diminish the nutrients and minerals in the beverage.
Just follow those and you'll soon be sipping delicious tea with one less thing to worry about. Our rule of thumb is that if you're making tea for yourself at home, simply boil the water and then leave it to cool down - usually between three to five minutes - to the temperature best suited to the tea.
Reboiling water depletes the levels of dissolved gases, thus making a less flavorful brew.
Not exactly. While social media suggests that green tea can operate like “nature's Ozempic” by elevating GLP-1, the hormone that lowers blood sugar and tells your body it is full, research says the resulting rise is insignificant.
Voltage difference explained
The electrical system in the US operates at 110-120 volts, while most electric kettles are designed to be used with 220-240 volts. As a result, electric kettles in America take longer to boil and may not function as efficiently as here, so we can't blame them for giving kettles a miss.
Tips for Enjoying Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins, a type of natural antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Milk, meanwhile, contains caseins. These proteins react with the catechin and reduce some of the health benefits.
Can green tea cause acid reflux if consumed first thing in the morning? Yes, green tea's natural acidity and tannin content can sometimes trigger acid reflux, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Drinking it after a small meal or switching to a low-acid variety like roasted green tea (hojicha) may help.
Some other side-effects of green tea include:
Headaches/dizziness: some people may experience a headache after drinking green tea and that may be a result of the caffeine content in green tea. Sleeplessness: Drinking too much green tea may disrupt your sleeping pattern. It can cause iron deficiency.
Before Bedtime
While green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, it still contains enough to potentially disrupt sleep patterns and lead to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
4 Supplements That Don't Mix Well with Green Tea
Using boiling water
Hot water at boiling point will make green tea lose its flavor because the water will burn or cook the leaves. Boil water and let it sit for a few minutes before using it to brew green tea. When using a stove and kettle, remember how low or high the flame is.
“Never squeeze your teabags, as this can make your tea taste bitter due to the release of tannic acids,” explains Angela Pryce, senior tea buyer at Whittard. “Instead lift it out carefully after 3-5 minutes of brewing.” Our expert Dr Bond says five minutes is the optimum time to let your tea brew.
5 Exciting Ingredients You Can Add To Your Green Tea