Water or Teabag: Which Goes First for a Perfect Cup of Tea?

Have you ever wondered whether to brew teabags by pouring water into the cup first or putting the teabag in the cup first? This may seem like a simple question at first glance, but the answer can make a huge difference in the flavor and aroma of your tea. This has been a debated topic among tea enthusiasts for years, and each of them has their own way of making the best cup of tea with teabags. The order is important! Some enthusiasts believe that pouring water first gives better control over the temperature and flavor, while others believe that pouring tea into the cup first and then pouring boiling water gives the tea more flavor and color.

To find out which group is right, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both methods in this article, and review tea drinkers’ experiences and new research, so you can choose the best way to brew teabags.

“Pour The Water First” Group

When you first pour boiling water into the cup, you can adjust the water temperature to suit your type of tea bag. This method is especially useful for herbal tea bags like green tea or white tea. If the water is too hot, the tea leaves can take on a bitter and acrid taste.

Therefore, the water first method allows you to bring the water temperature to around 75 to 85 degrees Celsius, then place the tea bag inside the cup. This method also gives you better control over the brewing and steeping time and allows you to adjust the intensity of the tea flavor to your liking.

Advantages

Precise temperature control
Avoiding bitterness and unpleasant taste
Suitable for green tea, white tea, and several other herbal teas

Disadvantages

Tea aroma may not be fully released into the water
Brewing and steeping time takes a little longer

“Put The Teabag in The Cup First” Group

The debate between the two groups is always hot. Many tea drinkers on Reddit believe that placing a tea bag in a cup and then pouring boiling water directly over it will release the aroma and color of the tea faster and fully.

This method is highly recommended for black teas and other strong or spicy teas. Pouring boiling water directly over the tea bag allows the tea leaves to come into contact with the water faster, producing a stronger flavor and color.

Advantages

Stronger color and taste
Shorter brewing time
Attractive water color change

Disadvantages

May not be suitable for temperature-sensitive teas such as green tea, peppermint tea, or dandelion tea
Possibility of bitterness or burnt taste

Which Order Tea Drinkers Think is The Right One?

If you Google “Pour water first or use tea bags?”, results show lots of different opinions. Here’s a summary of people’s opinions:

Group 1: Those who pour water first and then add the tea bag say that they have better control over the temperature and brewing time, especially for a wide variety of herbal teas that are sensitive to heat. Some even say that they can dip the bag in water several times and achieve exactly the desired flavor.

Group 2: Those who first put a tea bag in the cup and then pour boiling water believe that this method releases the aroma and color of the tea faster and making the tea stronger. The method allows them to deeply feel the taste of black tea more. Of course, some people say that you should be careful not to steep too long so that it doesn’t get bitter.

Ultimately, tea drinkers’ experience shows that there is no absolute method. It’s best to try both methods and see which one suits your taste. Just don’t forget that the most important thing is to use fresh water and the right temperature for your type of tea.

How to Brew Tea With Teabags Properly?

Now that the topic of tea has become more prominent, let’s discuss the golden tips for brewing tea:

Use fresh, quality water: If tap water has an unpleasant taste or smell, it is better to filter it or use mineral water. Fresh water has more oxygen and improves the taste of the tea.
Maintain the right temperature: Brew herbal tea with water about 75 to 85 degrees, and black tea with boiling water, which is usually around 95 to 100 degrees.
Brewing time: Brew black tea and breakfast or afternoon tea for 3 to 5 minutes, green tea for 2 to 3 minutes. A longer time can cause bitterness.
Avoid squeezing the teabag: Squeezing the bag releases bitter tannins and ruins the taste of the tea.
Put a lid on the cup: This preserves the aroma of the tea and provides a better drinking experience. You can also brew tea bags in a teapot.

Conclusion

Brewing a cup of tea may seem simple, but it’s actually a bit of an art that can vary depending on the type of tea, the temperature, and the order in which you pour the water and tea. For delicate teas like green and white, pouring the water first and then the tea bags allows you to have more control over the temperature and steeping time, and also prevents the tea from becoming bitter. For black teas and stronger varieties, placing the teabag in the cup and then pouring boiling water is the best way to release the strong aroma and color. Our experience shows that experimenting with both methods and adjusting to your personal taste is the best way to have a delicious and enjoyable cup of tea. Ultimately, fresh water, the right temperature, and the right brewing time are the keys to your success.