If I brew green tea until it turns brown, will it lose its healthy properties?

Question

I like my tea HOT. I usually brew in the microwave for 2.5 minutes, but it always turns the tea brown. Will brewing it too long cause it to lose the antioxidant and other properties that make it so healthy?

Answer 1

As a general rule of thumb green tea should not be prepared with boiling water. The water should be steaming around 160-180 degrees. I would heat the water first and then run it through the tea or tea bag. I would steep for 2 minutes or so.

See if your tea is still browning

Answer 2

the only thing to remember with green tea is: Don't pour the boiling water on the leaves - boil the water, then let it sit 2-3 mins till the temp comes down a coupla degrees. Now pour it over the leaves. If you use boiling water, the tea will become bitter. Btw - the native drinkers usually throw away the first batch (meaning they pour the water, let the tea brew a few mins, pour the water out but not the leaves, and pour fresh hot water over it again. Only then do they drink it....of course you should try this once, but it's not a rule ; )