Every day, there are more than 2 billion cups of tea consumed all over the world. Tea has been a popular beverage for hundreds of years, starting from China. In the 17th century, it became globally popular largely due to the Dutch East India Company.
These days, it’s still a popular drink that is seen as soothing and comforting, and enjoyable to consume at any time of the day. However, making the perfect cup of tea takes more than just selecting the right tea leaves; the quality of the water has a lot to add to your perfect cup.
Tea has always been used to mask the taste of bad water, and boiling it is an additional measure to kill bacteria and germs. Given the advances in water purification and filtration, how has using filtered water enhanced the tea drinking experience?
Tea is Three-fourths Water
Water is the most substantial component of tea, making up to 99% of the beverage. So the quality of the water used can significantly impact the taste, aroma, and overall quality of your drink.
Plain tap water often contains minerals, chlorine, and other impurities that can interfere with the delicate flavors of tea. In the old days, the flavor of the tea masked the aftertaste of these contaminants. But using filtered water has made it possible for tea enthusiasts to enjoy a cleaner, more neutral base for the tea.
Using filtered water for tea can enhance the flavor profile of the tea leaves. The purified water allows the true flavors of the tea to shine through, resulting in a more enjoyable tea-drinking experience. Whether you’re brewing a robust black tea, a delicate green tea, or a fragrant herbal tea, filtered water can help bring out the best in your chosen blend.
Purifying Your Water Supply
But how could you purify your tap water?
There are several ways to purify your tap water and remove the contaminants and other bacteria that may be present in your water supply. One of the most basic options is to boil your water before drinking.
You have to let it boil for a minute to ensure any bacteria is killed, and if you live at a higher elevation, you have to let it boil for three minutes. This can surely kill off bacteria, but it will not filter out solid contaminants.
So another option is using filters. One of these is using activated charcoal as a filter. It can remove toxic compounds, germs, and distasteful smells, but it cannot remove bacteria, viruses, or even hard water minerals.
The best filters are small enough to fit in your kitchen but have the capability to remove all contaminants, from hard metals to toxins and viruses. For example, the Everpure residential water system uses the Everpure H-54 Cartridge which is an upgraded filter for this system.
This cartridge, Everpure H-54 Cartridge, removes dust, particles, lead, chlorine, and any contaminant resulting from scale buildup in your pipes. These filters are also designed to remove parasitic cysts and other bacteria.
The Proper Tea Prep with Filtered Water
Of course, making a cup of tea is more than just simply dunking a bag into a pot of boiled filtered water. There is a process for making the best cup, and it all starts with selecting a high-quality tea.
Then, heat your filtered water to the correct temperature. The ideal temperature varies depending on the type of tea. For black tea, the water should be boiling, but for green and white teas, slightly cooler water is preferable to prevent bitterness.
Once your water is at the right temperature, pour it over the tea leaves. The general rule of thumb is to use one teaspoon of tea leaves for every cup of water. However, feel free to adjust this to taste.
Allow the tea to steep for the appropriate amount of time. Black tea should steep for three to five minutes, green tea for two to three minutes, and white tea for four to five minutes.
After the tea has steeped, remove the tea leaves to prevent over-extraction. Now you have made the perfect cup of tea!
