You can make green tea without tea bags using loose leaf green tea or matcha powder.
Here's how to make green tea using loose leaf tea:
- Heat water: Heat fresh, filtered water to around 175°F (80°C). Avoid boiling water, as it can make the tea bitter. You can use a thermometer or simply bring the water to a simmer.
- Measure tea leaves: Use approximately 1 teaspoon of loose leaf green tea per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. Adjust the amount to your preference.
- Infuse tea: Place the tea leaves in a tea infuser, strainer, or directly into your teacup or teapot. Pour the hot water over the tea leaves.
- Steep: Let the tea steep for 1-3 minutes. The exact steeping time depends on the type of green tea and your taste. Shorter steeping times result in a milder flavor, while longer steeping times produce a stronger, potentially more bitter taste.
- Remove tea leaves: Remove the tea infuser or strainer from your cup. If you put the leaves directly in your cup, you can use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the tea as you pour it into another cup.
- Enjoy: Your green tea is ready to drink!
Here's how to make green tea using matcha powder:
- Prepare matcha: Add 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder to a small jar or bowl.
- Add hot water: Pour in about 2 ounces (60 ml) of hot water (around 175°F or 80°C).
- Whisk: Whisk the matcha and water together vigorously until it forms a smooth, frothy mixture. A traditional bamboo whisk (chasen) is ideal, but you can also use a small whisk or even a fork.
- Add more water (optional): Add more hot water to reach your desired strength and volume.
- Enjoy: Your matcha green tea is ready to enjoy!
