Frequently Asked Questions about tea

We are experts here! To ensure the best taste in tea, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the water. The oxygen in the water plays a crucial role in releasing flavors and aromas from the tea. This is especially important when it comes to green tea!

Green tea is the only tea variety that does not undergo a fermentation process, and therefore it is important to maintain a sufficient amount of oxygen in the water during brewing. When water boils, it loses oxygen, especially at the boiling point where bubbles form. Therefore, we recommend boiling the water to a temperature of 70-80 degrees for green tea. If the water is heated to more than 80 degrees, it will lose its freshness and become flat – or as the Chinese call it: old man's water.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive guide that goes into all the details, we have created a guide on how to brew the perfect tea.

Yes, this is a question we are often asked. However, we cannot provide a definitive answer, as there is still a lack of research-based knowledge in this area.

To store your tea optimally and preserve its freshness and flavour, it is recommended to follow these guidelines:

• Store in an airtight container: Use an airtight container, such as a tin box, a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, or a special tea caddy. This prevents air, moisture, and odours from entering and affecting your tea's taste.
• Keep it away from light: Store your tea in a dark container, or keep it in a dark cupboard or drawer. Light can degrade the tea's antioxidants and affect the flavour.
• Be careful with heat: Avoid storing your tea near heat sources or in areas with high temperatures, as heat can affect the tea's flavour and quality.
• Keep it away from strong odours: Tea tends to absorb odours, so keep it away from strongly scented foods or spices. This helps preserve the tea's own unique aroma.
  

By following our guidelines, you can extend the shelf life of your tea and preserve its flavour and quality for as long as possible.

The amount of tea to use for one cup can vary depending on the desired strength and personal preference. As a general guideline, you can use 2-3 grams of loose tea per cup, which is equivalent to about 1 teaspoon. If you prefer a stronger taste, you can add a little more tea, and if you prefer a milder taste, you can use a little less.

If you want to make a pot of tea, you usually need 1 scoop from a measuring spoon per cup. You can also make the pot by eye by covering the bottom of the pot with a layer of tea leaves.

The amount of caffeine in tea can vary depending on the tea type and brewing method. Generally, tea contains lower amounts of caffeine than coffee, but we have created a small overview with estimates for the caffeine content in our tea varieties:

• Black tea: approx. 40-70 mg. caffeine per cup (240 ml)
• Green tea: approx. 25-35 mg. caffeine per cup (240 ml)
• Oolong tea: approx. 35-50 mg. caffeine per cup (240 ml)
  White tea: approx. 15-30 mg. caffeine per cup (240 ml)
  Herbal tea: usually contains no caffeine or only sporadic amounts of caffeine.

When it comes to pregnant and breastfeeding women, it is recommended to limit caffeine intake. A moderate caffeine intake, up to 200 mg per day, is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Do you want to know more about the different tea varieties? Don't worry, we've created an entire post about it in the world of tea, and what the different teas do for you and your body right here.

To make traditional matcha tea, follow these steps:

• Hot water: Heat fresh spring water or filtered water to approximately 70-80°C. Do not use boiling water, as it can burn the tea leaves and affect the taste.
• Prepare matcha: In a matcha bowl or a deep cup, place 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder (depending on your preferred strength) using either a teaspoon or a matcha scoop.
• Add water: Pour a small amount of hot water into the bowl over the matcha powder.
• Whisk matcha: Use a matcha whisk, also known as a chasen, to whisk the matcha and water together with quick, constant movements in an M-shape or circular motion. Continue whisking until the matcha is dissolved and a layer of foam forms on top.
• Finish the tea: Add more hot water to the bowl to achieve the desired amount of matcha tea. Traditionally, the bowl is filled to about ⅓ to ½ of its capacity, but you can adjust the amount to your liking.
• Serve matcha: Once the matcha tea is ready, you can serve it directly from the matcha bowl using a matcha protector or pour the tea into a cup.

Regarding matcha whisks, it's not strictly necessary, but it is recommended to achieve the best consistency and frothing. The matcha whisk has special fine tines that help effectively blend the matcha powder with water and create the characteristic foam. If you don't have a matcha whisk, you can try using a regular whisk, whisk, or milk frother to achieve acceptable frothing.

However, we must point out that traditional matcha tea offers a unique taste experience and ceremonial aesthetic that everyone should try.

As tea enthusiasts, we are not thrilled about tea restrictions, but it doesn't hurt to consume a moderate amount of tea daily. However, excessive tea consumption, especially tea with high caffeine content, can have some undesirable effects.

Tea contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. If you drink large amounts of caffeinated tea, it can lead to side effects such as insomnia, restlessness, heart palpitations, irritability, digestive problems, and increased urination. If you follow a healthy and varied diet, you can safely consume approximately 400 mg of caffeine per day – without it being harmful to you.

We hope you found the tea answers you were looking for! If you still have unanswered questions, we would love to hear from you – either by phone at 70 27 03 77 or by email at info@nordic-tea.dk.