Green Tea Recipe
Green Tea is a bright, refreshing drink made from unoxidized tea leaves, known for its light, earthy flavor and health benefits. Along with Earl Grey and Tulsi Tea, it’s one of my favorites to sip during the day. Enjoy it plain or lightly sweetened – perfect for a calming afternoon break. Learn how to make Green Tea just right for a soothing and rejuvenating cup.
About Green Tea
Our mornings typically begin with Indian Masala Chai, as it is a very strong and bold drink with a good amount of caffeine.
Since I’m not much of a coffee person I tend to try different teas instead, and chai is definitely my go-to for getting started in the morning.
However, for afternoons or evenings I like to make green tea or Kashmiri Kahwa (which uses green tea leaves with lots of spices, such as saffron, cloves and cardamom).
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These tend to have slightly less caffeine than chai but still contain a generous amount of pep.
I have tried white tea, tulsi tea, english breakfast tea, earl grey and many more varieties. And green tea is definitely at the top of my list of favorites as far as drinkability are concerned.
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s minimally processed and not oxidized, which helps preserve its natural green color and fresh, delicate, grassy flavor.
Originating in China and Japan, green tea has been consumed for centuries both as a daily beverage and for its medicinal properties. It is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, which are known to support overall health and well-being.
The taste of green tea can range from mild and sweet to slightly astringent, depending on how it’s brewed and the variety used.
You can serve this tea hot, with or without your sweetener of choice. Whether prepared as sweet or left plain to be slightly savory and earthy, green tea is great to pair with snacks.
Enjoy a cup as it is or with a healthy side snack or cookie. Plus, it can also be served chilled over ice to enjoy cold. This is a fantastic refreshing drink for summer!
Does green tea have caffeine
Yes, green tea does have caffeine. Each cup has slightly less caffeine than ¼ cup of coffee – about 20 to 30 milligrams.
However, this is significantly less caffeine than black tea, which has about 55 milligrams of caffeine per cup – or equal to ½ a cup of coffee.
It’s limited amount of caffeine is one of the many reasons green tea is terrific to enjoy as an afternoon drink. (Source Healthline)
That said, do not have green tea or even black tea in the night as they will keep you awake.
Green tea has many Health Benefits that you should not ignore. The polyphenols in it lowers the risk of some types of cancer. It also helps in weight loss and in detoxifying the body.
What you need
You will need looseleaf green tea or tea bags from your favorite brand. To the tea you can add herbs and spices such as lemongrass, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, cardamom.
This green tea recipe makes 2 large cups or 3 small cups. Feel free to double or triple the ingredients to make in larger batches.
You can also try other teas – like a healthy cup of Turmeric Tea or a refreshing glass of Iced Tea.
How to make Green Tea
1. First, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat add 2 cups water.
2. Add 4 teaspoons of raw sugar or preferred sweetener. This creates a sweeter green tea, so feel free to skip this step if you want a more earthy and unsweet tea.
If using other spices or flavorings, add them to the water now.
3. Allow the water to come to a gentle simmer as you stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Place it on your kitchen countertop. Add 2 teaspoons of looseleaf green tea leaves. Continue reading for my tips for using whole tea bags.
5. Next, cover and steep the tea for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not steep for any longer or else the tea may become bitter.
Tip: Some quality of tea leaves may require you to steep for more than 3 minutes. Check the taste and if the brew is mild, you can always steep for some more time.
6. Use a sieve to strain the leaves. Serve hot or warm, with a squeeze of lemon if you like.
Make green tea with tea bags
Boil one cup of water (237 to 250 ml) for every cup of tea you are making. Once the water comes to a gentle boil, turn the heat off and remove the saucepan from the burner. Place pan on your kitchen countertop.
Gently dip the tea bags into the hot water and allow them to steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Again, do not over-steep the tea to avoid it becoming overly bitter.
Never boil the green tea bags or leaves in water.
Now add sugar or sugar cubes or a sweetener of your choice, and enjoy!
How to make Iced Green Tea
To make iced green tea recipe, refrigerate the tea in a covered jar, pitcher or bottle until cold. Serve chilled with a garnish of lemon slices or mint leaves.
Some lemon or lime juice squeezed in the tea will also make it refreshing and cleansing to the palate.
If you plan to add honey, let the tea cool at room temperature and then only add honey. Stir to give a thorough mix and refrigerate. For lighter diluted flavors, you can add 1 cup water later or top with ice cubes.
Green Tea vs Black Tea
Green tea and black tea actually come from the same plant – camellia sinensis. But while black tea leaves are dried and allowed to ferment and oxidize, green tea leaves are processed much quicker.
This means they either do not ferment at all, or the fermentation process is not very long. Less fermenting creates a tea that isn’t as strong in flavor or caffeine as black tea.
Expert Tips
- Brewing time: The brewing time varies with the quality and grade of the tea leaves. It can vary from 2 to 5 minutes. From my experience, working with the various types of tea leaves, 2 to 3 minutes work perfectly. Longer steeping time will result in making the tea bitter.
- Sweeteners: I personally prefer to use raw sugar or jaggery in my green tea. You can definitely add your preferred sweetener.
- Honey: I do not recommend adding honey to a hot green tea. Ayurveda mentions that honey becomes toxic when mixed in hot liquids. But you can surely add honey to a lukewarm tea.
- Diabetic friendly version: Green tea is supposed to be good for people with high glucose levels. For a healthy cup, simply skip adding sugar or any sweetener in the tea.
- Make ahead and scaling: Make a large batch of this green tea recipe and refrigerate for a few days. Serve it chilled with a few sprigs of mint leaves or a dash of lemon juice. Do not reheat the refrigerated green tea as the flavors won’t be the same. If you love hot teas, then always brew them fresh.
- Where to buy: You can easily buy green tea leaves from any super store, health store or online.
FAQs
What is the brewing time for the perfect Green Tea at home?
The grade and quality of your tea leaves will decide on the brewing time. So, anything between, 2 to 5 minutes is good. At home, I usually brew the tea leaves for about 2 to 3 minutes as if steeped for a longer time, the tea turns bitter.
Can I use any other sweetener in place of white granulated sugar for this tea?
Yes, definitely you can. Raw sugar, jaggery and lemon (added in lukewarm tea) work really well in this tea concoction. You can even use any other sweetener of your choice.
What all flavors can I add in my Green Tea?
If you wish to add some flavor to the regular Green Tea, then go for lemon, chopped mint, tulsi (Indian holy basil), lemongrass, or even ginger. A combination of ginger and lemon with honey (in lukewarm tea) also works well and is great for sore throats.
Can I prepare Green Tea with tea bags?
Yes, you can certainly prepare Green Tea with tea bags. I have mentioned the entire procedure of this in one of the sections above. Kindly go through it.
How do I make an Iced Green Tea?
For an Iced Green Tea, put the brewed tea in a pitcher, bottle or covered jar and place in the refrigerator. Once chilled, garnish with some lemon slices, mint leaves and serve.
You can even add some lemon juice to the chilled tea. If you wish to add lemon, then add only after the tea cools down to room temperature. To make lighter diluted flavors, you can add some ice cubes or 1 cup water to the concoction.
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Green Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons green tea leaves or 2 green tea bags
- 4 teaspoons raw sugar or add as required, can add any preferred sweetener – optional
Instructions
Heating water
- Take water in a sauce pan and let it come to a gentle boil on medium heat.
- Add raw sugar or any sweetener of your choice and stir until sugar is dissolved. You can skip sugar if you do not prefer it.
- When the water comes to a gentle boil, place the saucepan on your kitchen countertop.
Brewing with tea leaves
- Add green tea leaves.
- Cover and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Avoid steeping for a longer time as the tea may become bitter.
- Strain and serve hot or warm. You can add some lemon juice if you prefer.
Brewing with green tea bags
- When the water has boiled, switch off the heat. Place the pan on the kitchen countertop and dip the tea bags in the hot water. Cover and steep for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add sugar or your desired sweetener.
- Stir so that sugar gets dissolved.
- Serve green tea hot or warm
Making iced green tea
- After steeping the tea and straining it, store it in pitchers or jars. Cover and refrigerate. Serve chilled or with some ice cubes.
- Place a few sprigs of mint leaves or lemon slices or include a dash of lemon juice while serving.
- If you add honey, let the tea cool at room temperature and then only add honey. Stir and refrigerate. For lighter diluted flavors, you can add 1 cup water later or top with ice cubes.
Notes
- Brewing time: The brewing time varies with the quality, grade of the tea leaves and ranges from 2 to 5 minutes. From my experience 2 to 3 minutes work perfectly. Longer steeping time make the tea bitter.
- Sweeteners: You can add your preferred sweetener or skip it entirely.
- Honey: I do not suggest adding honey to a hot green tea. Ayurveda mentions that honey becomes toxic when mixed in hot liquids. But you can surely add honey to a lukewarm tea
- Diabetic friendly version: Green tea is supposed to be good for people with high glucose levels. For a healthy cup, simply skip adding any sweetener.
- Make ahead and scaling: Make a large batch of green tea and refrigerate for a few days. Serve it chilled with a few sprigs of mint leaves or a dash of lemon juice. Do not reheat the refrigerated green tea as the flavors won’t be the same. If you love hot teas, then always brew them fresh.
Nutrition
Green Tea recipe from the archives was first published on April 2010.
Hello Dassana, I read somewhere that drinking green tea can trigger headaches and can also be the reason for migraines…I had green tea long back after drinking it, I had bad headache. I want to include green tea in my lifestyle. But I’m scared a little, if it cause headache.
Could you please share your thoughts on this?
MM, with me its the other way around. if i don’t drink tea, i get headaches. so tea is one of the first drinks i have in the morning. even i have heard, but then each person’s physical constitution is different. you can try for a couple of days. if it does not suit you than drop it.
Is there any difference in health benefits between using green tea leaves and tea bags? Is it safe to add honey as soon as the hot water is poured in the cup ?
Thank you so much.
beena, i do not know about the health benefits between using green tea leaves and tea bags. that said, i use both. when i want a more intense flavour, i use leaves, but for a quick and light option, i use tea bags. avoid adding honey to anything hot as honey becomes toxic when heated or when added to anything boiling hot. but you can mix honey with lukewarm water.
This is very healthy
It slims body
Hello All,
I love Tulasi Green Tea because I lost like 20 pounds in 45 days. Thanks to Organic India Tulasi Green Tea Slimming Technology.
Regards
Raj
I wish to do tulsi tea marketing,plz guide me in this regard.i am also intrested to grow tulsi.
i do not know anything about marketing of tulsi tea….
Good green tea recipe. This is good for health. I have written a similar recipe recently. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anne