12 MISTAKES YOU MAY BE MAKING WHEN MAKING TEA
We firmly believe that there is no right or wrong way to brew tea. The most important thing is that you enjoy it. However, if you are not happy with the taste of your tea, here are some common mistakes that may be preventing you from making the perfect cup.
The good thing is that they are all very easy to fix. Here are 12 mistakes you might be making when making tea.
YOU'RE NOT DRINKING ENOUGH TEA
I often hear people say they don't like tea because it tastes like water. If you don't use enough tea, the flavor will be weak and tasteless. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon (about 2 grams) of tea leaves per cup (225 ml) of water. If you're using tea bags, there should be 1 bag for every cup of water.
YOU ARE USING TOO MUCH TEA
More doesn’t always mean better when it comes to making tea. Using too many leaves will result in a bitter and unpleasant drink. The best way to measure loose tea is to weigh it, as leaves come in all shapes and sizes. If you accidentally used too much tea, one possible way to fix it is to dilute the tea with ice. If you’re looking for a stronger flavor, we recommend trying the Gong Fu method.
A good rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon of tea (or 1 tea bag) for every cup (225 ml) of water.
YOU ARE USING WATER THAT IS TOO HOT
Hot water increases the extraction of astringent and bitter components in tea. If your tea is astringent (that's the dry mouth sensation you might get from red wine), lowering the water temperature can help reduce it. Green tea is higher in catechins, making it more sensitive to temperature than black tea. Lower-quality tea is also more likely to become bitter when brewed with hotter water.
YOU ARE USING WATER THAT IS TOO COLD
The opposite can also be true. If the water is not hot enough, the tea will brew very slowly. This is why brewing with cold water takes hours, not minutes. We often see people making tea with hot water from a dispenser. These are usually set to a fairly low temperature for safety reasons, so they are not the best way to get hot water.
YOU'RE NOT LETTING IT STEAM LONG ENOUGH
We all know that person who steeps a tea bag for a few seconds and declares their tea is ready. Tea needs time to release its aroma. The time needed varies greatly depending on the type of tea and the method of preparation. The instructions provided by the store where you purchased the tea are a great starting point. You can always adjust them to your taste.
STEAMING TOO LONG
It happens to all of us. You get distracted and suddenly realize that your tea has been steeping for 20 minutes. Unfortunately, steeping it too long can make the tea taste very unpleasant. If this happens, you can try diluting it with ice, but this is less effective than if you simply used too many leaves.
It is important to know what type of tea you are drinking in order to prepare it in the best way.
USING VERY OLD TEA
In most cases, tea does not actually spoil, but it does lose its flavor over time. As a general rule, the greener the tea, the shorter its shelf life. Matcha has the shortest shelf life, while Shu Pu'er (fermented pu-erh) has no specific expiration date. Be careful with the amount of tea you have, and avoid buying very large quantities unless you can drink it in less than a year.
DO NOT RE-SEAM
Almost all unflavored loose leaf teas can be re-infused to make 1-2 more cups of tea. It is even possible to make even more when brewed using the Gongfu method. If you don't re-infuse, you won't get the most out of your tea. You may also miss out on the pleasure of seeing the flavor change with each infusion.
INSUFFICIENT SPACE FOR TEA
Tea leaves need space to expand and release their full aroma. If you have trouble filling your tea ball/infuser, or if there are dry spots in the middle after steeping, this is a sign that your tea needs more space. For this reason, we prefer to use a basket-type infuser . They are inexpensive and incredibly versatile, as they can be used with any cup or teapot you already have.
IMPROPER STORAGE OF TEA
Tea is very sensitive to heat, light, moisture, and odors. Prolonged exposure to any of these elements will negatively affect the flavor. To avoid this, store your tea in opaque, airtight containers . Kitchen cabinets are not always the best place to store tea, as they are warm and often have strong odors like spices. Using the smallest container possible that can hold the amount of tea you have can also be very helpful.
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE TYPE OF TEA YOU ARE DRINKING
There are thousands of different types of tea in the world, with new ones being developed all the time. No one can know them all in detail, but every new tea you come across is an opportunity to learn and explore. A few quick Google searches will help you find your way.
Quantity over quality: Sometimes you really do get what you pay for
Sometimes, if you are not happy with the taste of your tea and you have ruled out brewing errors, it may be time to consider upgrading the quality of the tea you are drinking. Everyone's financial situation is different, so I know this may be easier said than done.
However, tea is still an affordable luxury compared to wine and other beverages!
There are over 200 types of tea on the Momenti store website . We believe you will find a tea you like, according to your budget.