How To Fix The Bitter Taste In Green Tea

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Green tea is a powerful superfood because it is an antioxidant that can improve your cardiovascular health, boost your metabolism, improve cognitive function, and lower your blood sugar levels. However, despite these benefits, some people avoid drinking green tea because it often has a bitter taste. To find out how to overcome this, Tasting Table spoke with Bala Sarda, Founder of VAHDAM, to get his advice for mellowing that slightly bitter flavor.

Sarda told us that water temperature is "the most important factor and the crucial one" to pay attention to if you want to taper the bitterness of green tea. He went on to say that "the ideal temperature should be between 70 [and] 80 degrees Celsius." This is between 158 and 176 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend using a candy thermometer like this KitchenAid curved candy and deep fry thermometer on Amazon to check the temperature of your water before you add your tea bag or leaves.

Brewing your green tea at the optimal water temperature will unlock the health benefits of green tea without increasing its bitterness. According to Sarda, the reason that water temperature is the biggest factor you should consider when brewing green tea is because "too hot water can scorch the green tea leaves." This will cause them to "release excessive tannins (which contributes to bitterness)."

Sarda also gave us other great tips for preventing bitterness in green tea. He said that another important factor to consider is the weight of the tea leaf, as "using too much tea for the amount of water will guarantee a bitter cup." He says a ratio of "2 [grams per] 7 [ounces of] water is ideal for [a] perfect brew." When choosing your water, remember that the one type of water you should avoid for brewing green tea is distilled water.

The grade of the leaf will also affect the overall flavor and quality of your tea. Sarda says, "Whole leaf grade as compared to fine [or] dusty tea bags are often less bitter." Finally, he gave us some very practical advice for saving a cup of green tea that tastes too bitter: Add a sweetener.

He says, "A small amount of [h]oney, or [s]ugar can directly counterbalance the bitter taste on your palate." If you're drinking green tea because you're concerned about your blood sugar level, consider using agave syrup or honey rather than refined sugar. Agave syrup has a low glycemic index, so it is less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar levels, and honey contains antioxidants that make it a healthier choice than white sugar.