Many people try green tea for its clean taste and health benefits, only to feel disappointed by an unexpected bitterness. In most cases, the issue is not the tea itself, but how it is brewed.
Green tea leaves are delicate. Small mistakes during preparation can quickly overpower their natural sweetness and fresh aroma.
Water Temperature Matters More Than You Think
One of the most common causes of bitterness is water that is too hot. Unlike black tea, green tea should never be brewed with boiling water.
High temperatures extract excessive catechins and tannins, which create a sharp, drying sensation on the palate. Even high-quality green tea can taste harsh if overheated.
Lowering the water temperature immediately softens the flavor and allows grassy, nutty, or slightly sweet notes to emerge.
Brewing Time Is Often Too Long
Another frequent mistake is leaving the leaves in water for too long. Green tea releases flavor quickly. What starts as a balanced infusion can turn bitter within seconds.
Instead of one long steep, shorter infusions allow you to control intensity and enjoy multiple cups from the same leaves.
Green Tea Brewing Quick Reference
|
| Item | Recommendation |
These parameters are intended for light, early-harvest green teas such as Anji green tea. Adjust slightly based on personal preference.
Leaf Quality and Storage Also Play a Role
Even perfectly brewed tea can taste bitter if the leaves are stale. Green tea is sensitive to light, heat, air, and strong odors.
Improper storage accelerates oxidation and degrades aroma, making bitterness more noticeable.
Common Green Tea Brewing Mistakes
Before adjusting your tea or blaming its quality, check whether any of these are happening:
- Using boiling water out of habit
- Steeping longer than 2 minutes
- Compressing leaves in small infusers
- Storing tea near heat or strong odors
- Expecting green tea to taste like black tea
Correcting just one of these often improves flavor significantly.
Related Reading
What Makes Anji Green Tea Different From Other Green Teas?
Loose Leaf Green Tea vs Tea Bags: What’s the Real Difference?
How to Store Green Tea to Keep It Fresh
Exploring these topics together helps build a better understanding of green tea.
Green tea is best understood through consistent brewing and daily experience rather than one-time tasting. Small adjustments often lead to noticeable improvements over time.