40 Facts Every Tea Drinker Should Know
Adding milk to your cup can help keep your teeth white?!
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Tea is how many people either start or finish their day and for good reason—it's comforting, delicious, and pairs well with many types of foods. The beverage has been around for centuries, and also offers a caffeinated alternative to coffee. Not only do studies point to tea’s possible health benefits, but there is a range to the drink unlike any other. With over 3,000 different varieties, there truly is something for everyone.
Once you get the hang of brewing at home, you'll never want to go back. Taking certain factors like temperature, water, and serving size into consideration, you can make the perfect cup right in your very own kitchen. Different leaves require their own steeping times, so read on to learn more. We also shared some fun facts about the drink, including the story behind its long history and alternative uses for tea bags.
From tips on finding which kind is right for you to the huge variety in flavors you can pick from (including one that very closely resembles coffee!), there's always more to learn and love about the world's most widely consumed beverage—aside from water, of course! So grab a warm mug of your favorite flavor (we're all about calming herbal tea), cozy up on the couch, and enjoy these interesting facts.
Not all teas are created equal.
Most teas (black, green, oolong, and white) come from the plant Camellia sinensis and are naturally caffeinated. Herbal teas are infused by dried herbs, fruits, or flowers like chamomile or echinacea. Red tea, which derives from a South African plant, is in a separate category as well.
The perfect water temp varies by tea variety.
Green and white teas require water between 175 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit, while the strongest variety, black, needs boiling water of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
The type of water also matters.
Knowing if your tap water is considered hard (high in minerals) or soft (low in minerals) is important, as it can affect the tea's taste. Too hard and you'll get a metallic flavor, while too soft can lead to bitterness. If your tap water doesn't taste great straight out of the sink, consider filtering it before boiling.
The ideal steeping time depends on the tea type, too.
Green tea tends to brew in around 2 to 4 minutes, while black tea may need to steep for up to 6 minutes.
Serving size can differ depending on the type of tea.
The denser the tea leaf, the less you need to use to make a great cup. If you're noticing bitterness, try using fewer leaves next time around.
Skip the microwave.
Because you can't control the exact temperature, microwaves will never leave you with as good of a cup as a kettle does.
You can control caffeine levels through steeping.
For stronger tea, shorten the steeping time. The longer you steep, compounds called thearubigins leak out of the plant and bind to the caffeine. Because of this, caffeine has a hard time binding to your brain receptors to wake you up. For less caffeine, you'll want to do a quick steep, pour out the brew, and re-steep it. By doing so, as much as 80 percent of the caffeine will be cut out!
Cold brewing reduces bitterness.
No tolerance for bitter tastes? Cold brewing is a slower process that lessens the risk of bitterness caused by over-steeping. It works for many loose leaf teas, including oolongs and herbals.
Making iced tea is a different process.
When brewing iced tea, double the amount of leaves you'd normally use. That way, the ice doesn't dilute the flavor too much. Or, freeze cubes of iced tea to use instead of ice!
Use loose leaf tea instead of bags for better flavor.
While convenient, those grocery store tea bags have higher levels of bitter tannins than loose leaf options. It's also much easier to over-steep the bags, leading to a harsher flavor.
Loose leaf teas are better for the environment.
While the appeal of bagged tea is convenience, the paper and plastic often ends up in landfills. However, loose leaf varieties require less packaging, producing less waste—plus the leaves can be composted!
Brewing your own is healthier than buying it.
Bottled store-bought tea may not contain as many cancer-fighting antioxidants as the homemade stuff, according to one study. Beverage manufacturers often remove nutritious polyphonous from tea to make the drink less bitter (and therefore, more palatable) for public consumption.
Use glass teapots over plastic and metal whenever possible.
According to the Red Blossom Tea Company, “Plastic and metal brewing vessels are the most common offenders, since they can absorb the qualities of strong teas and impart them to more delicate brews. Glazed ceramic or glass are the best options for brewing a wide variety of teas, since their non-porous surface is flavor neutral.”
Warm your mug before steeping.
Heating up your cup can retain the temperature of the tea longer.
Adding milk helps keep your teeth white.
There may be an easy way to save your pearly whites from tea stains. In a study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, adding a splash of milk was found to be surprisingly effective in preventing them.
Technically, you should pour the milk in first.
While this is a hotly debated topic, it turns out pouring the milk in the mug first may have scientific benefits. According to a study by Dr. Stapley of Loughborough University, adding the milk after the tea heats it unevenly and takes away the flavor.
It's best stored in an opaque tin.
Keep your loose leaf teas fresh by storing them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and moisture.
Some snacks taste better with tea than others.
Green tea pairs well with subtle flavors like chicken salad and watercress sandwiches, while bold black tea complements richer foods like chocolate and red meat.
Used tea bags have many uses around the house.
Don't toss those old bags! Some gardening experts believe that watering plants with weak tea fertilizes the soil. Or. use them to degrease dirty pots and pans: Soak dishes in warm water with a couple of tea bags and watch previously stuck-on food slide off with the swipe of a sponge.
Green tea is also a possible weapon against cancer.
Medical studies show that green tea may help kill oral cancer cells, improve brain scans in cancer patients, and ward off prostate cancer.
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