3 Ways To Make Green Tea - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make Green Tea

Download Article 9 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Dina Garcia, RD, LDN, CLT and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Approved

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Steeping Green Tea Bags

Making Loose Leaf Green Tea

Preparing Matcha Green Tea

Ingredients

Video

Tips

Things You'll Need

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This article was co-authored by Dina Garcia, RD, LDN, CLT and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Dina Garcia is a Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, and the Founder of Vida Nutrition and Conscious Living, her private practice based in Miami, Florida. Dina specializes in helping yo-yo dieters and binge eaters overcome food guilt, practice self-love, and rediscover self confidence. She has over 15 years as a dietitian. She received a BS in Dietetics from Ball State University and completed her supervised dietician practice at California State University, Fresno. She is certified as a Registered Dietitian (RD) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and is a Florida Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist (LDN). There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 12 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,003,487 times.

Green tea can be delightful and delicate or too bitter to even drink. To create the perfect cup at home, you can use high-quality tea bags, loose leaves, or matcha powder. Regardless of which method you use to make tea, always use fresh water that's not too hot and don't oversteep the tea. You'll find that the green tea is great on its own or you can flavor it with honey and lemon.

Ingredients

Green Tea Bags

1 tea bag of green tea
1 cup (240 ml) of water
Lemon or honey, optional

Makes 1 cup (240 ml) of tea

Loose Leaf Green Tea

3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of water
1 teaspoon (2 g) of loose-leaf green tea

Makes 3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of tea

Matcha Green Tea

1 1/2 teaspoons (2 g) of matcha green tea powder
1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of water

Makes a small cup

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Steeping Green Tea Bags

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1 Bring water to a boil and let it cool to around 175 °F (79 °C). Heat water in a stovetop or electric kettle until it begins to boil. Then, turn off the heat and remove the lid so the water cools faster. Let the water cool for about 5 minutes or until it reaches 175 °F (79 °C).[1] X Research source Dina Garcia, RD, LDN, CLT. Nutritionist. [2] X Research source
- Using boiling hot water can burn the green tea, which will make it taste bitter and unpleasant.
2 Place 1 tea bag in your teacup. It's important that you keep the ratio of 1 tea bag for every 1 cup (240 ml) of water, so if you want to make more than 1 cup of green tea, consider placing 2 or 3 bags in a teapot. This will give you room to add more water.[3] X Research source
- If you have time, warm the teacup before you make the green tea. Just fill the teacup with hot water and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Then, pour out the water.
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3 Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water over the tea bag. Carefully pour the 175 °F (79 °C) degree water into the teacup.[4] If you have a saucer or small plate, place this on top of the teacup to prevent the steam from escaping and cooling the tea.[5]
4 Steep the tea for 2 to 3 minutes. If you prefer a light, delicate flavor, leave the tea to brew for only 2 minutes. For a slightly stronger, earthy flavor, brew it for a total of 3 minutes.[6] X Research source
- Don't brew the green tea for more than 3-4 minutes or the flavor will become bitter.[7]
5 Remove the tea bag and sip the green tea. Lift the tea bag out of the teacup and let the excess drip into the cup. Set the tea bag aside to use again or discard it. Now you can drink your hot green tea or flavor it with a little honey or lemon.[8] X Research source
- Avoid squeezing the tea bag because this will release bitter components into the tea.
Tip: If you're using high-quality tea bags, you can usually reuse the tea bag at least 1 more time.

Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Making Loose Leaf Green Tea

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1 Heat water between 170 and 176 °F (77 and 80 °C). If you're using a stovetop or electric water kettle, bring the water to a boil and then turn off the heat. Let the water cool for about 5 minutes so the temperature is between 170 and 176 °F (77 and 80 °C).[9] X Research source
- Always start with water that you haven't boiled before. This will help the leaves open as the tea steeps.
2 Place 1 teaspoon (2 g) of loose-leaf green tea into a small teapot. You can use a small measuring spoon or a digital scale to measure the loose leaves for your tea. Put the leaves directly into the teapot or into the infuser basket if your teapot has one.[10] X Research source
- If you have time, you can pour hot water into the teapot to warm it up. Then, pour out the water and place the tea leaves in the bottom.
Variation: For a much stronger cup of tea, use around 1 tablespoon (5 to 6 g) of loose leaf tea.
3 Pour 3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of the hot water over the leaves. You should see the leaves begin to unfurl as the heat from the water causes them to open. If your teapot has a lid, place it on top of the pot to trap the steam.[11] X Research source
- You could also place a small saucer over the top of the teapot to prevent the steam from escaping.
4 Steep the green tea for 1 to 2 minutes. Set a timer for 1 minute and then use a spoon to taste the tea. If you like the flavor, you can stop the infusion or continue to steep the tea until it's strong enough for your taste.[12] X Research source
- If you're using 1 tablespoon (5 g) of tea leaves, steep the tea for a much shorter time. Try tasting it in 10-second increments until it's as flavorful as you like.
5 Strain the leaves or remove the infuser basket and drink the tea. You can lift the basket out of the tea so the excess drips into the pot. If your teapot doesn't have an infuser basket, set a tea strainer over a small teacup and slowly pour the green tea into your cup. Sip the tea while it's hot.[13] X Research source
- Squeeze a little lemon or stir some honey into the tea if you'd like to add a bright flavor.
- You can save the tea leaves and brew 1 to 2 more pots of tea with them. Keep in mind that each additional brew will need less steeping time since the leaves are already opened.

Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Preparing Matcha Green Tea

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1 Place a fine mesh strainer over a matcha tea bowl. If you don't have a small matcha tea bowl (also called a matcha-chawan), you can use a teacup or a small kitchen prep bowl. Ensure that the bowl is heat proof.[14] X Research source
- If you like, you can warm the tea bowl so it doesn't cool down your hot matcha tea. To warm the tea bowl, fill it with boiling hot water and leave it for 30 seconds before carefully dumping out the water.
2 Sift 1 1/2 teaspoons (2 g) of matcha powder into the tea bowl. Measure the matcha powder into the fine mesh strainer. Then, use the back of a spoon to gently push the powder through the strainer so it falls into the tea bowl.[15] X Research source
- The sifted matcha should look like bright green dust in the tea bowl.
3 Bring water to a boil and let it cool to between 180 and 190 °F (82 and 88 °C). Since matcha green tea doesn't use a lot of water, you can bring about 1 cup (240 ml) to a boil using a stovetop or electric kettle. Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and let it cool about 1 minute so the temperature drops.[16] X Research source
- Start with clean, fresh water that hasn't been boiled before in order to get the best tasting matcha green tea.
Did You Know? If you pour boiling hot water over the matcha tea powder, you can actually burn it.
4 Pour 1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of the hot water into the tea bowl. Slowly pour the 180 and 190 °F (82 and 88 °C) degree water into the matcha powder that's in your tea bowl.[17] X Research source
- The powder should begin to dissolve as soon as the hot water hits it.
- More of a matcha latte person? Learn how users make matcha lattes on wikiHow's "How do you guys make matcha lattes at home?" forum page.
Matcha Latte: To make a milky matcha tea, dissolve the matcha powder in 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of boiling water. Then, pour in about 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of steamed milk.
5 Whisk the mixture for 20 to 60 seconds to make matcha green tea. Use a bamboo whisk (also called a chasen) to combine the tea powder with the water. Try to keep your wrist loose and whisk in a circle if you'd like thin tea. If you want thicker, foamy tea, whisk quickly in a back and forth motion.[18] X Research source
- To create the thin, smooth tea, whisk for closer to 20 seconds. You'll need to whisk for around 1 minute if you want foam on the top of your tea.
6 Sip the matcha green tea while it's hot. You can drink the tea directly out of the tea bowl that you just made it in. Try to enjoy the tea as soon as you've finished whisking it because the powder will settle if the tea sits for long.[19] X Research source
- In order to fully enjoy the experience of drinking matcha green tea, cup the tea bowl with both hands and bring it to your face. Breathe in the smell of the tea and relax before you begin drinking.

Join the Discussion...

How long should you steep green tea?

Steve Schwartz Master Tea Blender and Founder of Art of Tea If it's a Japanese green tea like a Sencha or Gyokuro, you steep it for less time and at a lower temperature than some other types of tea. The temperature range should be around 160 to 175 and the time should be about 3 minutes, because Japanese green tea is processed by gently steaming the leaves and then finished by a baking or heating process. You don't want too high of a temperature when you eventually steep the tea because of the steaming. If it's a Chinese-style green tea, like a dragon well or garden powder, you'd also steep it for about three minutes. For Chinese green teas you use a temperature range of 175-185 because Chinese green tea has been baked or pan fired, depending on the style. Finally, there are some other styles of Japanese green teas like Kabu Sencha. At my business, Art of Tea, we offer a type called Matcha Plus Sencha, which is ceremonial grade matcha dusted with high grade Sencha. I drink it almost every day and it's fantastic. For this type of tea, we recommend a 30-second steep time at a really low temperature because it's so delicate, creamy, vibrant, and grassy that it doesn't require a tremendous amount of steep time. Only giving it that delicate flush of hot water for 30 seconds prevents over-extraction and yields a really nice flavor profile. I mention this example to illustrate that it's always a good idea to look up any specific steeping instructions that the brand recommends for that particular type of tea. Read More

Sashee Chandran Tea Expert Steep green teas anywhere from 3 to 7 minutes. Green tea is considered a lighter tea on the spectrum, so it generally needs a longer steep time, but it depends on the quality and the variety of the tea. Read More

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Question Can jaggary be used with green tea? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Absolutely! If you prefer jaggery, then it's fine to add it and you'll also get the additional nutrients found in jaggery. Some devotees of jaggery believe it aids digestion but whatever the truth on that count, it does add a nice sweetness to green tea that may make it easier for you to enjoy. Add just a little to taste, it is still high in calories. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question How can I make green tea more refreshing? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer An easy fix to make green tea more refreshing is to add a few sprigs of fresh herbs to it. For example, a sprig of fresh mint or fresh basil can instantly give the green tea a lovely additional flavor that will calm the more strident flavor of the green tea. Pick the herbs fresh from your own herb garden/kitchen garden or buy them fresh, rinse gently, then add a sprig or two to the freshly made tea. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Question I'd like something, not cow's milk, in my matcha to improve the taste (I just have it for the anti-oxidants). Is coconut cream OK in it? (Also add a little sprinkle of rock salt). wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer If this works for you in matcha, this is perfectly fine! Matcha can have a strong, bitter flavor that not everyone enjoys and the coconut cream likely tones this down and adds creaminess. Coconut is often combined with matcha for dessert dishes and baking, so if you enjoy it with match, then keep it up! The salt is also fine, it is a flavor enhancer and will also smooth out the taste. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1

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Tips

Add a slice of fresh ginger to the tea while it steeps if you want a slightly spicy flavor. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

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