Microwaving Tea Goes Against the Laws of Physics It turns out that the electric field that acts as a warming source in the appliance causes the water to end up at different temperatures at the top and bottom of your mug. And a good cup of tea is about achieving a uniform temperature throughout your mug.
That's right: Research shows that zapping your favorite tea bag and a cup of water together in the microwave is the most effective way to garner the bevy of tea's benefits, and get the best taste.
Since we recommend that you prepare your tea at specific water temperatures based on the type of tea, heating water in a kettle is the only way to do that. A microwave will give you water that is hot, but the temperature is not consistent throughout the cup.
When you open the microwave door and grab the mug, the sudden movement and temperature change causes a sudden explosive boiling of superheated water, which can be as harmful as hot oil. You can microwave water safely by adding a wooden chopstick or coffee stirrer to the mug.
The FDA has received reports of serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces because of hot water erupting out of a cup after it had been over-heated in a microwave. Over-heating of water in a cup can result in superheated water (past its boiling temperature) without appearing to boil.
When water is boiled on the stove the water boils evenly and all of it boils. In the microwave the water only boils where the microwaves have hit it so you can have cold spots throughout the water.
Any stove-safe vessel, whether a sauce pot or whistling kettle, can hold water to be heated, and the direct heat of a gas flame heats water quickly and evenly. Whether in a home kitchen or over a propane-powered camp stove, a gas flame is a reliable way to heat water.
Overheating your water can make your tea taste bitter and weird, says Slate. But those without a kettle shouldn't despair just yet: as long as you're willing to drink only green tea, the microwave is the way to go.
An electric teakettle is about 80 percent efficient, although again this varies from kettle to kettle. Electric kettles are generally very well insulated, and the heating coils sit directly in the water, so less heat is lost to the air. An induction stove or hot plate is about 85 percent efficient.
If you're boiling water in the microwave, it must stay at a rolling boil for two minutes. Putting water in the microwave for two minutes does not make it safe to drink.
In general, you just need to heat the water for about one minute time in the microwave using a microwave safe mug or cup to make the tea. If you need the tea to be very hot, you may heat the water for about one minute and 30 seconds.
Make Sure Your Water Is the Right Temperature
Pouring boiling water on your tea can burn the leaves and bring out unwanted bitterness. In general green and white teas need a temperature of 140°F to 185°F. Black or herbal teas should be 208°F to 212°F.
Experts at Uswitch.com have explained how the cheapest way to boil a cup of tea is by using a covered pan on a gas hob, instead of depending on your usual kettle.
“Using a gas hob could be slightly cheaper, with the cost of using 1 minute of gas costing around 0.17p, but this can often take longer and is less efficient than using electricity.” Many modern kitchens don't need a kettle – they have a boiling water tap that provides instant hot water instead.
Slow-brewing it with cold water. It's a method Nicole Dean uses exclusively with her tea brand, Kollo. Dean, who has a background in science, says this is the best way to extract both the most flavor and benefits. "It's really easy to do at home," she says.
Is microwave heating of water harmful? Does water boiled in the microwave stay hot as long as water is boiled in a kettle? Yes, assuming you microwaved the same amount of water in the same kettle and made sure the temperature of both was the same.
Generally, microwaves that are 700 watts or higher can successfully boil 1 cup (8 ounces) of water in 2-3 minutes. If you have a lower wattage, boiling the same amount of water might take up to 4 minutes. If you want to speed up how long to microwave water to boil, consider using a container with a lid.
Is it cheaper to boil water in the microwave or kettle? While using a microwave is cheaper for boiling larger quantities of water, it is much cheaper to use a kettle if you just want one cup of boiled water.
The temperature of the water decides how quickly flavour and structure is released. The higher the temperature, the quicker the release. A cup of tea made with boiling water will look darker, taste stronger and have more structure than a cup of tea made with 80-degree water that has infused for the same amount of time.
Easier to use, a lot nicer to look at, and instant – hot and cold water dispensers are the best kettle alternative.
A kettle heats itself as well as the water in it, and some of that heat is conducted/radiated away as the kettle is brought to the boil. Microwaves are designed specifically for heating water (in food) so the microwave energy heats nothing but water.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: A kettle uses an external or internal heating source to heat water and bring it to a boil. Microwaves use electromagnetic radiation to heat food or liquid in the cavity. While either appliance will boil water, a kettle is more efficient and will give better-tasting tea.
Squeezing Out Tea Bags
Because of the high levels of tannic acid in tea, you're actually making the tea more bitter. It's not only weakening the taste, but it's also wearing the strength of the tea bags itself. By squeezing it, you run the risk of tearing the bag and releasing some of the tea leaves into your cup.
Water that's still lukewarm in spots after coming out of the microwave is less effective at extracting flavor compounds from tea leaves. Over-heated liquid can be equally disastrous. When water exceeds 212° F by a few degrees, it can destroy the compounds that give tea its desired flavor.
Place a tea bag in your favorite cup or mug. Bring water to a rolling boil and immediately pour over your tea bag. Steep for a good 3 to 5 minutes. (Great taste can't be rushed—it really does take the full time to release the tea's entire flavor.)