Green Tea: Benefits, Brewing Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Green tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. And yet, 80% of people brew it incorrectly — too hot, too long, too bitter. The result? They assume they don't like green tea. In reality, they've simply never tasted a good cup, properly made.
Why is green tea so special?
Unlike black tea (fully oxidised) or oolong (semi-oxidised), green tea is unoxidised. The leaves are heated rapidly after picking to halt oxidation, preserving the maximum amount of catechins (powerful antioxidants) and L-theanine (an amino acid that promotes calm, focused concentration).
The well-documented benefits
- Antioxidants — Green tea contains EGCG, one of the most potent antioxidants identified in any food or drink
- Metabolism — Several studies (including a meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Database) suggest a modest effect on fat metabolism
- Focus — The combination of caffeine and L-theanine creates a state of calm, sustained alertness — without the spike and crash of coffee
- Cardiovascular health — Regular consumption is associated with a reduction in LDL cholesterol
- Hydration — Contrary to popular belief, green tea hydrates you (the diuretic effect is minimal at normal quantities)
Mistake #1: boiling water
Never use boiling water on green tea. This is THE golden rule. At 100°C, you scorch the leaves and release an excess of tannins → guaranteed bitterness.
| Type of green tea | Temperature | Steeping time | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sencha (Japanese) | 70–75°C | 1–2 min | Vietnamese Sencha |
| Gunpowder (Chinese) | 80°C | 2–3 min | Oasis du Désert BIO |
| Flavoured green tea | 75°C | 2–3 min | Le Thé des Amoureux |
| Matcha | 75°C | Whisked, not steeped | Our Matcha range |
Tip: No thermometer? Bring your water to the boil, then wait 3–4 minutes. Or mix 2/3 boiling water with 1/3 cold water.
Mistake #2: steeping for too long
A green tea left to steep for 5 minutes becomes undrinkable. 2–3 minutes maximum. It feels counterintuitive — we tend to think "longer equals more flavour" — but with green tea, the opposite is true: a short steep yields something soft, floral, even gently sweet. Over-steep it, and you're left with bitterness and astringency.
Set a timer. Seriously.
Mistake #3: using too much tea
The right ratio: 2g per 25cl of water. That's roughly one level teaspoon. Too many leaves means over-extraction — and bitterness.
Iced green tea: the summer revelation
Green tea makes an exceptional iced tea. Here are two ways to make it:
Quick method (5 minutes)
- Steep 4g of green tea in 25cl of water at 75°C for 2 minutes
- Remove the leaves
- Pour over a large glass filled with ice cubes
- The thermal shock locks in the aromas — the result is crystal-clear and wonderfully refreshing
Cold brew method (8 hours)
- Add 4g of green tea to 50cl of cold water
- Leave in the fridge for 8–12 hours
- Strain and serve — maximum smoothness, zero bitterness
Our favourite green teas as iced tea: Liberté (mango-rose), Marrakech Sunset (mint-orange blossom), Le Thé des Amoureux (strawberry-lavender).
Which green tea should you choose?
At Teatower, we offer over 40 green teas — both pure and flavoured. Here's a quick guide:
- Just starting out? → Begin with a gentle flavoured green tea: Liberté or Oasis du Désert
- Prefer something bolder? → Try a pure Sencha or Gunpowder
- Looking for an energy boost? → Matcha — all the goodness of green tea in a concentrated powder
- Want something caffeine-free for the evening? → Green tea isn't what you're after — try one of our fruit infusions instead!
A word from Trevor
"Green tea is like wine: there's a world of difference between an industrial product and a quality tea, properly brewed. The first sip of a fine Sencha steeped at 70°C for 90 seconds — that soft umami sweetness, that fresh, grassy character — it's a revelation. And once you've experienced it, there's no going back."
Come and taste the difference in our shops in Waterloo, Namur and Liège. Free tasting, no obligation. And use the code NEWSLETTER10 for 10% off your first online order.