Frequently asked questions about tea

Here we are experts! To ensure the best taste in the tea, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the water. The oxygen in the water plays a decisive 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 is boiled, it loses oxygen, especially at the boiling point where the 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 every detail, we have created a guide on how to brew the perfect tea.

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

To store your tea in the best way and preserve its freshness and taste, it is recommended to follow these guidelines:

• Store in an airtight container: Use an airtight container, such as a tin can, a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, or a special tea container. It prevents air, moisture and odors from entering and affecting the taste of your tea.
• Keep it away from light: Store your tea in a dark container or store it in a dark cabinet or drawer. Light can break down the tea's antioxidants and affect the taste.
• Be careful with heat: Avoid storing your tea near heat sources or in areas of high temperature, as the heat can affect the taste and quality of the tea.
• Keep it away from strong smells: Tea tends to absorb odors, so keep it away from strong-smelling foods or spices. It helps preserve the tea's own unique aroma.
  

By following our guidelines, you can extend the tea's shelf life and preserve its taste and quality for as long as possible.

The amount of tea to use for one cup may 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 to use 1 tablespoon from a measuring spoon per cup. You can also make the pot to measure 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 variety and brewing method. In general, tea contains lower amounts of caffeine than coffee, but we have made a small overview with estimates of 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 lactating women, it is recommended to limit caffeine intake. A moderate intake of caffeine, 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 made a whole post about it in the universe of tea and what the different teas do for you and your body right here .

To make traditionalmatcha 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 your tea leaves and affect the taste.
• Prepare the matcha: In a matcha bowl or deep cup, place 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder (depending on your preference for strength) using either a teaspoon or a matcha spoon.
• Add water: Pour a small amount of hot water into the bowl over the matcha powder.
• Whisk the matcha: Use a matcha whisk , also known as a chaser, to whisk the matcha and water together in quick, steady motions 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, you fill the bowl to about ⅓ to ½ of its capacity, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
• Serve matcha: When 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 the matcha whisk, it is not strictly necessary, but it is recommended to achieve the best consistency and foaming. The matcha whisk has special fine teeth that help mix the matcha powder effectively with the water and create the characteristic foam. If you don't have a matcha whisk, you can try your hand with a regular whisk, whisk or milk frother to achieve acceptable foaming.

However, we must point out that the traditional matcha tea provides a special taste experience and ceremonial aesthetics that everyone should try.

As tea drinkers, we're not crazy about tea restriction, but it doesn't hurt to consume a moderate amount of tea a day. However, excessive consumption of tea, especially tea with high caffeine content, can have some unwanted effects.

Tea contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. Drinking large amounts of caffeinated tea can cause side effects such as insomnia, restlessness, palpitations, irritability, digestive problems and increased urine output. If you follow a healthy and varied diet, you can safely consume approx. 400 mg of caffeine per day - without it being harmful to you.

We hope you found the tea answers you were looking for! Should you be left with unanswered questions, we would be more than happy to hear from you - either on tel. 70 27 03 77 or on our email info@nordic-tea.dk .