"Off the Flame" Boiled Water is too hot for steeping green tea.  First Rule to Remember.

The high temperature of the water can burn the leaves and leach some of the flavor out of them.  Boiling water also destroys the healthful properties of the Tea's oils.  The only thing you should use boiling water for is soup and melting the snow off you front steps.  Never boil our teas.

When we test our teas, we use a thermometer  for the correct steeping levels (we suggest you go for the $12-$15 and pick up the little black water temperature thermometer at Target or Williams Sonoma).  We test the teas at different temperatures to bring out the maximum flavor without

     Destroying the health benefits that distinguish Green Tea from Black.

To cool the water the proper amount for steeping, the boiling water should first be poured into a cooling bowl or allowed to rest for 2 minutes or so (or maybe drop a few ice cubes in).

     Boiling water is considered around 195F - 210F after it's poured - ouch - there goes the crop. 

If a cooling bowl is not available, the boiling water may first be poured into the cups that will cool the water to the proper amount, and then poured into the pot.  When we serve tea to guests, we take boiling water and add bottled water until the correct temperature is reached.  Only then are the leaves added for steeping.

     Never allow Green Tea of any kind (except the Celestial Seasoning, Lipton and other Super
     Market commercial brands) to steep in boiling water!  (Those types of Tea have little to no health
        benefit and are barely worth the plastic they're wrapped in to start with)

While the water cools, place the tea leaves into the pot. The chart below shows the amount of tea that should be used based on the number of cups of tea to be served (there are many different types of green teas, the chart below is a generalization based on the most common types).

Once the water is cooled, it is ready to be poured into the pot. After letting it steep for 2 ½ minutes, it should then be poured equally into the cups, and sipped slowly for maximum enjoyment.  But we've been known to gulp it in the winter so who are we kidding.

A word about how we recommend our teas to be prepared.

We sell primarily three types of Green Tea.  Green, Jasmine & Oolong.  We've touched, smelled, caressed, steeped, burnt and did everything conceivable to them until we learned how they reacted.  OK so we're a bit weird with this stuff.  We admit it.

We set up 6 tea pots and allowed each tea to steep for different values.  Then we go through the same process with temperatures.  We keep testing and testing until we find that right combination of time & temperature.  It's very much like a fanatical coffee roaster would do to obtain that "perfect" coffee bean.  In this way, we know if we recommend a certain value to prepare your teas, we took the guess work out.  Please trust us on this one.  We know our teas.  We love our teas.  You will too.

We have techniques we can share regarding polyphenol counts for those of you wishing to achieve the maximum health benefits from your tea.  By using thermoses, for examples, you can allow for higher heat provided the unit is sealed and steam is not allowed to release. 

We have a passion for green tea because we love the way it tastes and because it's healthy.  We hope you enjoy the work we've put into our teas.  If you have ideas for better results, please let us know so we can use them and make believe we invented the idea.  

More Detail for Best Results

Proper method for steeping green tea (in more detail):

Types of teas:

          There are many types, and grades of green tea in both Korea and Japan. And while Korean teas are available outside of Korea in some areas, the Japanese green teas are much more common and easier to come by so I will discuss their grades here. There are basically four types of green teas: Gyokuro, Sencha, Bancha, and Houjicha. Gyokuro and Sencha are available in both high and regular quality, while there are just one type each of Bancha and Houjicha. Below is a chart with the water temperatures and steeping times for the various types of teas.

 

          As you can see from the chart above, the higher quality the tea, the lower the temperature of the water. As such, the two teas at the bottom of the chart, are generally used for general consumption and should be served in big mugs rather than dainty tea cups.

Water:

          While many think the quality of the water cannot have an impact on the taste of the tea, nothing could be farther from the truth. The taste and fragrance of the better teas are so delicate that the wrong water - that is water containing chlorine, hard minerals, or other additives - can destroy the delicate aroma and taste of the tea. The best water to use for tea is fresh spring water or a good quality bottled spring water.

Water Temperature:

          The water can be boiled in any vessel but a non-reactive one is the best. Ceramic coated pots or teapots, are the best, while bare aluminum vessels are the worst as the aluminum is very reactive and tends to add a metallic flavor to the water. Upon boiling the water, it should be poured into the cooling bowl for those grades of teas that require cooler water, and left until it reaches the desired temperature. While the water cools, some of the remaining hot water should be poured into the teacups and the pot to pre-heat them. Should a cooling bowl not be available, the boiling water can be poured into the the cups to both pre-heat them and cool the water at the same time. While the water is cooling the proper amount of tea should be placed into the teapot.

Steeping:

          After the water has cooled sufficiently, it should be poured into the teapot, and the teapot covered for the desired steeping time, after which it may be poured directly in to the cups in equal portions being sure to completely empty the pot., After the first steeping, the leaves can be left in the pot and fresh water added to make another serving. Generally, the steeping time for the second serving is 1/3 the time of the first since the leaves are already wet. Some better teas may even be good for a third serving.

Enjoying the Family of Quality Green Tea Teas

Enjoying:

          Green tea is said to be an aid to digestion after a meal and some claim it helps the complexion as well. It has no calories and is much lower in caffeine than coffee and slightly lower than black teas. But the real joy in drinking green tea is the experience.

          Drinking green tea should be a calming experience that brings peace to your soul, and calms your nerves while allowing you time to think, dream or simply enjoy the fragrance and taste of the tea. The delicate fragrance of the tea should first be enjoyed by holding the cup under your nose and inhaling deeply. After a moment, the tea should be sipped lightly and rolled over the tongue while savoring the fragrance and taste. After the tea is swallowed there remains an aftertaste that should be enjoyed for its own unique flavor before taking your next sip of tea.

          Suddenly I feel I need a cup of green tea!

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