How to Make and Store Quality Green Tea at Home

How to make Green Tea.
Picture source: McKay Savage

The process of making a cup of tea is not hard but you have to know few simple steps for quality one. Here are few tips for preparation of green tea and how and where you should store it.

How to Make Quality Green Tea

For 100 ml of water should be used two grams, or one tablespoon for 5-ounces cup, of green tea. The best quantity depending on type is: for Gyokuro ~ 10 g, Sencha 8 g, Bancha, Genmaicha, and Hojich – 9 g.
Some high-quality teas, such as gyokuro, can be used more than this amount and for multiple times for short period.
The steeping temperature of water can vary from 61° C to 87° C (142°F - 189°F). Depending on types: for Gyokuro 50 – 60°C, Sencha 70 – 90°C, Bancha, Genmaicha, and Hojich – 100°C.
The steeping time is from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Depending on type: for Gyokuro ~ 2 min, Sencha 1 min, Bancha, Genmaicha, and Hojich – 30 sec.
Usually, the lower-quality tea is steeped hotter and longer, while higher-quality – cooler and shorter.
The steeping too hot or too long can cause a bitter, astringent brew, apart from original quality.
Typical the high-quality green tea can be steeping for 2 – 3 times.
The teapot should be warmed previously to avoid immediately cooling down of tea.
It is common practice to leave the leaves in the cup or pot and add more hot water when the tea is drunk until the taste degrades.
Drink only hot or warm tea as cold one can hurt your organs.

How to Store the Green Tea

The tea can lose good taste and quality if it is contacted directly with sunshine, high temperature, high humidity, fingers, oils, any chemical smells or products.
Store your green tea in an airtight container in a dark and cool place. It also could be the fridge.
Once you opened your tea bag, consume it as soon as possible.
The Chinese used to put a bag or can of tea in a plastic zip bag and store it in a lower refrigerator. The tea will keep fresh for up to two years. The best will be if you put one cigarette without filter into this bag.