My office has one of the water coolers that can produce hot, but not boiling, water. Am I doing a great disservice to the tea universe by using this water to make a cup of tea rather than boiling water?
Thanks.
Thanks.
question about tea at the office
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My office had a cooler like this. I found the water about right for greens and lighter oolongs but a little cold for puerh.
I would think it's a matter of convenience vs. quality. If the water is sitting for some time in a hot water tank, I would think it could develop some off flavors. Conversely, bringing in an electric kettle and heating your own water whever you want a cup of tea is more inconvenient and might be viewed by others as a little 'anal'. I suggest that you taste the water from the water cooler on it's own, plain. If it's not offensive, make your tea with that. My two cents.
I'd say it's about on par with the coffee in the coffeeroom ... decent enough for a pedestrian cup of adequate mediocrity and certainly drinkable for a caffeine fix, but decidedly below the standards of perfection the tea gurus here strive for.
The water won't be hot enough for black teas.
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Is that because boiling water is required to properly extract the flavor (or whatever it is) from black tea?
First things first. What is the temperature of the water?
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I really don't know.
+1 I would agree completely. Bit cool for black teas and darker oolongs too.
Only one way to find out, I guess
It's supposed to be around 190 F. This is slightly too hot for greens unless you add some cold or let it sit, but it is perfect for many Oolongs.
I was just reading through this thread again...
I was falling right in with the spirit of the thread but maybe we are being just a little too obsessive about the water temp. Give it a try and see how your favorite tea turns out. Need a little more heat? Nuke it for a few seconds. Too hot for greens, let it cool a bit.
Coming from the coffee side, nuking water isn't recommended. Those water coolers, for safety, are calibrated so the water is below boiling. I got a cheapy $10 electric kettle for my desk.
Yeah, you are right, I suppose nuking is a last resort. I have a electric kettle at my desk also and would recommend that as the best alternative. Mine has a rheostat that allows me to adjust the temp for different teas.
Beware! If you work in a cubical you should be prepared for the power draw your electric kettle will need. Don't get the fastest kettles because they can throw your breaker if you have lots of computers and such
Voice of Experience
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Currently, whatever garden-variety Lipton/Twinings/Bigelow teabags they happen to have at the office.
I kind of figured that the water would be ok for green tea because I know one is not supposed to use boiling water for that (although now you guys tell me it's too hot!
) I guess my question really comes down to the reason that boiling water is recommended for black tea, and what goes off the rails when it's not used.Thanks for all the responses thus far.
Currently, whatever garden-variety Lipton/Twinings/Bigelow teabags they happen to have at the office.
I kind of figured that the water would be ok for green tea because I know one is not supposed to use boiling water for that (although now you guys tell me it's too hot!
Thanks for all the responses thus far.
The great thing about water that's too hot...
just fill your cup and let it sit on your desk for a minute or two. Voila!
Currently, whatever garden-variety Lipton/Twinings/Bigelow teabags they happen to have at the office.
I kind of figured that the water would be ok for green tea because I know one is not supposed to use boiling water for that (although now you guys tell me it's too hot!
Thanks for all the responses thus far.
Sounds like your ok for those types of teas, for green perhaps let it cool a bit before brewing. Other wise enjoy and have fun brewing
Currently, whatever garden-variety Lipton/Twinings/Bigelow teabags they happen to have at the office.
I kind of figured that the water would be ok for green tea because I know one is not supposed to use boiling water for that (although now you guys tell me it's too hot!
Thanks for all the responses thus far.
Some of the stuff in black tea needs boiling or near boiling water to be released. When I would use the water from the cooler/heater at work, the tea was thin and I needed to add at least a half a teaspoon more leaves per cup to start getting the flavors of black tea. After I got my electric kettle, I only need a teaspoon per cup.
