Finding your green tea's "sweet spot"

Every green tea has its "sweet spot"--the right combination of water temperature, amount of tea leaves, and steeping time that really brings out the tea's flavor and aroma. Don't think that you know a tea after drinking a few cups of it; a different combination of variables could make it taste like a completely different tea the next time around. Experiment with your Mellow Monk tea, and keep a mental note of, for instance, the water temperature. You don't have to use a thermometer; just get a general sense of how long you let the water sit after boiling. (Just-boiled water is too hot and will "cook" the tea.) To experiment methodically, hold one variable constant while changing another. For instance, if brewing by the potful, always put a heaping teaspoon into the pot, and let the boiled water sit roughly the same length of time before pouring it into the teapot, but let the tea steep for 3 or 4 minutes one time, then longer the next time. You'll begin to notice subtle differences in the flavor and aroma, and eventually learn which one suits your own tastes. You can also vary the tea according to how you feel--a strong brew one day, a lighter one the next day. After a time, it will all become second nature to you.

Click here to return to the Mellow Monk home page

Let it steep!

Studies into the health benefits of green tea recommend letting your tea steep for at least 3 to 5 minutes in order to draw out the catechins and other flavonoids that act as powerful, disease-fighting antioxidants. And since modern science is only beginning to plumb the depths of green tea, who knows what other health-promoting compounds will be discovered in the future. In addition, studies also show that freshly brewed green tea has more antioxidants than ready-to-drink green tea. That's why for the maximum health benefit of green tea, it's best to brew your own. Besides, taking the time to boil water, let the tea steep, and slowly enjoy the tummy-warming infusion is a way to take a break, step away from your busy day, and get mellow.

Green tea article in HMO publication

The fall issue of Senior Outlook, published by not-for-profit HMO Kaiser Permanente, has on page 2 an article entitled “Tea Time.” It discusses studies suggesting that tea may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, prevent cavities, and help you lose weight. Dietician Renee D. Cowen, R.D., is quoted often in the article, which recommends green tea over fermented teas, such as English tea: “Compared to fermented tea, teas that aren't fermented [green tea] contain more of the antioxidants believed to be responsible for tea's many health benefits.” So there you are: Yet another study verifying the many health benefits of drinking green tea!

Click here to return to the Mellow Monk home page