The best water for tea depends on your preferences.
Most people don’t need to obsess over their water source. If you have well water, tap water, or bottled water, go ahead and use it. Unless you find your general water source to have a bad flavor, it will do a passable job.
And yes, if you are new to the tea world, some diehards are quite upset with our position.
Why? Because water type does matter. And we respect that. However, until you reach that level of refinement, you should be okay as you start your tea journey.
As you become more acquainted with high quality tea and the nuances of flavor, you might decide to step up your water game as you find the chlorine in tap to be distracting from the herbal flavors.
But really, find water you like and use it - even if it is tap.
Water Choice Guidelines
Creating a great tasting cup of tea isn’t a mystery. It might take a little practice to get things “right” for your taste preferences, but a few general guidelines will get you off to a great start. If you have already chosen the freshest, high quality, organic loose leaf tea, then the choice of what water you use is the next important step.
Using the same quality water will provide consistency in flavor and texture.
The type of water you use can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of the final product. Here are a few key points to consider when choosing the best water for tea brewing:
- Use clean, fresh water: Water that is stale, contaminated, or otherwise of poor quality can negatively affect the taste of your tea. It's important to use clean, fresh water that has not been sitting out for a long time. If you have leftover water in your kettle from the night before, water some plants with it and start with a fresh supply of your preferred water.
- Avoid hard water: Hard water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can make tea taste metallic or bitter. Soft water, on the other hand, is generally better for brewing tea. If you have the budget for it, you might supply yourself with distilled water, filtered, or spring water.
- Use the right water temperature: Different types of tea require different brewing temperatures. For example, green and white teas should be brewed at lower temperatures (around 175-185°F), while black and herbal teas can be brewed at higher temperatures (around 200-212°F).
- Experiment with different types of water: Some people believe that certain types of water, such as spring or mineral water, can enhance the flavor of tea. Feel free to experiment with different types of water to see which one you prefer.
In general, the best water for tea brewing is clean, fresh, and has a balanced mineral content. The goal is to have a consistent flavor each time you indulge in a cup.
It is important to also note you should follow the steeping and brewing guidelines for the tea you have. Steeping tea for too long can cause it to become bitter. Steeping for too short of a time will brew a weak, or flat, flavor.
Make sure to have as fresh as possible herbs so you get the best flavor possible.