How Can I Use Tea Bags?

To use tea bags, simply steep them in hot water to create a flavorful beverage.

Here's a breakdown of how to use tea bags effectively:

1. Heat Water: Bring fresh, cold water to a boil. Ideally, you should use filtered water for the best flavor.

2. Temperature Matters: Different types of tea benefit from different water temperatures. While black tea usually benefits from boiling water, green tea is often better with slightly cooler water (around 175°F or 80°C) to prevent bitterness. If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, let boiling water sit for a minute or two before pouring it over your green tea bag.

3. Pour Over Tea Bag: Place the tea bag in your cup or teapot. Then, pour the hot water over the tea bag.

4. Steep: Allow the tea bag to steep for the recommended time. This is often indicated on the tea bag box. Generally:

   • Black Tea: 3-5 minutes.
   • Green Tea: 2-3 minutes.
   • Herbal Tea: 5-7 minutes.

   Steeping for too long can result in a bitter taste.

5. Agitate (Optional): Gently agitate the tea bag a couple of times during the steeping process. As the video suggests, bobbing the tea bag can help with the extraction.

6. Remove Tea Bag: Once steeping is complete, remove the tea bag. Squeezing the tea bag is a debated topic. Some believe it releases more flavor, while others think it makes the tea bitter due to the release of tannins.

7. Additions (Optional): Add milk, sugar, honey, lemon, or other flavorings to taste.