How to Brew Green Tea Without the Bitterness

The most common reason people say they don't like green tea is that they've brewed it badly. Too long, too hot, too little water - the result is bitter and astringent, and nothing like what green tea should taste like.

Here's how we do it at Bellevue, and it's very simple:

Use a pint mug. Our tea bags can handle a full pint of water and still have plenty of flavour. The extra water means the tea brews more gently, and bitterness is much less likely to develop.

Use water that's just off the boil. Green tea is sensitive to temperature. Pouring boiling water straight onto the leaves scorches them. Let the kettle sit for a minute first, or aim for around 80C.

Don't overbrew. Two to three minutes is usually enough. Taste it at two minutes. If it needs more flavour, give it another minute - but don't leave it and forget about it.

Try a second infusion. Many green teas are worth brewing twice. The second cup is often lighter and sweeter. If you've boiled too much water, put the extra in a thermos and use it for the second round.

Browse our green teas - loose leaf and tea bags - on the website.

Keep brewing, The Bellevue Team