Many tea lovers do not realize that the temperature of the water used for brewing plays an important role.
Brewing tea with boiling water can spoil the taste and aroma of the drink, as well as deprive it of its beneficial properties.
Why can't you brew tea with boiling water and what negative consequences can this have?
Water temperature and delicate tea leaves
Tea leaves, especially green and white tea, have a fine and delicate structure.
Brewing them with boiling water leads to the destruction of the structure of the leaves, which worsens the taste and aroma of the drink.
High temperatures destroy the essential oils responsible for the delicate aroma of tea, making it bitter and unpleasant to taste.
The optimal temperature for brewing green tea is 70-80 degrees Celsius, and for white tea - 60-70 degrees.
Black tea can be brewed at a temperature of 90-95 degrees, which allows you to preserve all its beneficial properties and rich taste.
Loss of beneficial properties of tea when brewed with boiling water
Tea contains many beneficial substances such as antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids.
Brewing tea with boiling water destroys many of these beneficial components.
For example, catechins, which are powerful antioxidants, are destroyed at too high a temperature, depriving the tea of its health-promoting properties.
Therefore, to preserve all the beneficial substances, it is important to brew tea at the optimal temperature.
Health Risks of Drinking Tea That's Too Hot
Regular consumption of tea that is too hot can have negative effects on your health.
Research shows that drinking hot drinks may increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
The high temperature of the liquid damages the mucous membrane of the esophagus, which can lead to inflammatory processes and, in the long term, to the development of cancer.
Therefore, it is important not only to brew tea at the right temperature, but also to let it cool slightly before drinking.
Optimal temperature for different types of tea
Each type of tea requires its own temperature regime for brewing, which allows its taste and aromatic qualities to be fully revealed.
Green tea is best brewed at a temperature of 70-80 degrees to preserve its delicate taste and aroma.
White tea, which has a particularly delicate taste, requires an even lower temperature - 60-70 degrees.
For black tea, a temperature of 90-95 degrees is suitable, which allows its rich and intense taste to be revealed.
Oolong tea is best brewed at a temperature of 80-90 degrees, which emphasizes its complex aroma and taste.
How to brew tea correctly: tips and recommendations
To brew tea correctly, it is important not only to maintain the temperature regime, but also to take into account other factors, such as brewing time and water quality.
Using filtered or spring water improves the taste of the drink.
Brewing time also plays an important role: green tea is recommended to be steeped for 2-3 minutes, white tea - 3-5 minutes, black tea - 4-5 minutes, oolong tea - 3-4 minutes.
If you steep tea too long, it may become bitter and unpleasant to taste.
Proper brewing of tea helps to fully reveal its taste and aromatic qualities, as well as preserve all the beneficial substances.
Compliance with the temperature regime and other recommendations makes tea drinking a more enjoyable and useful activity.
Earlier, the professor told what kind of tap water is best to pour into a kettle.