Recommended brewing directions
Brewing green tea requires a much lower temperature than black or oolong tea. Green tea should be brewed at around 175°F to 180°F. However, the exact temperature depends on the type of tea. Over-steeping and using water that is too hot will result in bitterness. If you want a stronger cup, add more tea leaves rather than steeping for a longer time.
Herbal and black loose-leaf teas typically are brewed using a teaball or strainer, but green tea lends itself to brewing loosely in a pot, allowing the curled tea leaves to fully unfurl. Simply strain the tea when pouring into cups.
| TEA VARIETY | Brewing Temperature | Amount per 8 oz. cup | Steep time |
| Chun Mei | 175°F | 1 to 2 tsp. | 1 minute |
| Gunpowder | 180°F | 1 level tsp. or 2 grams | 2 minutes |
| Jasmine | 175°F to 180°F | 1 level tsp. or 2 grams | 3 minutes |
| Lung Ching | 170°F | Heaping teaspoon | 3 minutes |
| Moroccan Mint | 175°F to 180°F | 1 level tsp. or 2 grams | 1 – 2 minutes |
| Sencha | 175°F to 180°F | 1 to 2 level tsp. | 1 – 2 minutes |
| Young Hyson | 180°F | 1 level tsp. or 2 grams | 3 minutes |
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that are believed to be cancer preventatives, specifically due to polyphenols. The most abundant of the many phenolic compounds found in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), among other catechins, which empower green tea with its superpowers.
Green tea also offers enhanced cognitive function, not only due to caffeine, but also its rich L-theanine content. L-theanine is an amino acid that not only improves mental focus and alertness, but also promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety, resulting in better sleep quality. In fact, L-theanine’s benefits are enhanced when paired with caffeine.
Green tea’s attributes also include improved heart health (by lowering LDL cholesterol), increased metabolism that helps with weight loss, and reduced chronic disease risk. Green tea has antimicrobial properties that may help fight off infections, is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help conditions such as arthritis, and is believed to improve bone density and reduce bone loss. In short, green tea is an absolute powerhouse of health benefits.
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