Not only does tea come with many health benefits, but it’s quick to make and tastes great. Making tea is as easy as steeping tea leaves in boiling water to get rich flavors. However, some people avoid drinking tea because they can’t handle the bitterness that sometimes accompanies a hot cup of tea, or it was brewed for too long or stored improperly.
Tea will taste less bitter with some simple adjustments. Here are 7 tips to make your tea less bitter:
- Add a sweetener
- Add a pinch of baking soda
- Pour hot tea over ice
- Don’t overboil the water
- Use high quality tea leaves
- Don’t overbrew the tea
- Let the tea rest before enjoying
Drinking tea can be one of the most simple yet nuanced experiences of life. Let’s not spoil it with unnecessary bitterness. There are many ways to ease tea’s bitterness and make it more palatable for you.
What follows is more in-depth information on each top tip and seven ways to make tea less bitter, including a few healthy ways to make tea taste good:
Tip #1: Add Some Lemon, Sugar, Honey, or Agave
The best way to reduce tea bitterness is to add something sweet! It’s easy to do and a popular way of creating a delicious tea without messing with the brew.
Each sweetener listed below has its own taste variation and health benefits. Whether you want to add sugar, stevia, honey, agave, or another one of your favorite sweeteners, a little goes a long way.
Benefits of Adding Lemon to Tea
If you’ve ever seen a stock photo of a richly colored cup of tea, it most likely has a slice of lemon on the cup’s rim. Lemon is one of the most popular ways to add a bittersweet taste and enhance tea’s flavor. It can be added to any type of tea but is most commonly used for black and green teas.
Lemon juice is a healthy antioxidant that aids in cell repair, skin smoothness, and immune health. It also lowers the risk of certain diseases. Lemon is also great for helping with digestion and flushing out your body’s toxins. This is why it’s such a popular addition to tea!
Adding lemon to tea in place of a sugary sweetener only adds to the tea’s health benefits and doesn’t negate them. When adding lemon to tea, all you need is a little splash or squeeze of a slice. Adding too much will make it taste very acidic.
How Much Sugar Should You Add to Tea?
While sugar makes tea sweeter, many sources recommend a maximum of five to 10 teaspoons of free sugars each day (free sugars include household sugar, honey and syrups, fruit juices and concentrates, and other processed sugars not from natural sources).
Start with a small amount of sugar and add to taste before adding more than necessary.
Sugar is the least healthy sweetener to add to tea and should only be used in moderation. Using too much sugar (even honey and agave) can lead to health problems.
I also use monkfruit or stevia, both of which are natural sweeteners that don’t adversely affect your blood sugar level.
Use These Sugar Substitutes in Your Tea
Apart from honey and agave, there are many alternative tea sweeteners in place of sugar.
As I mentioned above, both monkfruit and stevia are growing in popularity as a healthier, natural sugar substitute. Extracted from a sweet leaf plant, it has a smooth flavor, but the aftertaste sometimes leaves slight bitterness.
Artificial sweeteners like Splenda and Sweet-n-Low are popular sugar alternatives to make tea less bitter. They have fewer calories and are ideal for those with sugar sensitivities and work great in easing strong tea flavor. However, like stevia, they sometimes leave an unfamiliar aftertaste and take time to adjust to. I don’t actually recommend using these artificial sweeteners.
Simple syrup, which is simply sugar boiled in water, is more dissolvable in hot tea than regular sugar. It can also be combined with fruits and herbs to add more flavor to your tea. This simple syrup recipe from Allrecipes is simple and easy to follow.
How Much Honey or Agave Syrup Should You Add to Tea?
Since honey and agave are liquid sugars, they easily dissolve in tea and are a favorite for many tea drinkers. They also offer more health benefits than sugar and other sweeteners. Since honey and agave are full of sugars, you don’t want to add a lot.
Start with a teaspoon and add to taste if you need it.
Should I Use Honey or Agave for Tea Instead of Sugar?
Honey and sugar are both carb-rich sugar-based sweeteners, but tea drinkers often use honey over sugar because of perceived health benefits. While honey and sugar both contain glucose and fructose, they have different proportions: sugar is half fructose and half glucose while honey is 40 percent fructose and 30 percent glucose.
Honey also contains water, pollen, and healthy minerals like magnesium and potassium, making it a slightly healthier alternative to sugar. According to Medical News Today, sugar is also higher on the glycemic index because of its higher fructose content and lack of healthy minerals, meaning blood sugar levels rise more quickly when ingesting sugar.
On the other hand, honey is higher in calories. However, it’s also sweeter than sugar, and you don’t have to use as much when sweetening tea with honey. While agave syrup is a better alternative to sugar, its highly processed production and lack of health benefits make honey a better choice.
“Experiment with as many options as you have for changing your tea taste, starting with these go-to tips.”
TEA CROSSING
Tip #2: Add a Pinch of Baking Soda
It sounds strange but baking soda has been a long-time addition to southern sweet tea to counteract the tannins in bitter tea. Tannins are chemical compounds found in foods like tea. They are the reason certain teas taste bitter and have distinct colors.
Many iced sweet tea recipes call for a dash of baking soda to take out bitterness and make the tea less cloudy, so if you enjoy sweeter tea, try out some baking soda. Don’t add too much, or else your tea will just taste dry and powdery!
If you enjoy a good cup of after-dinner tea, consider adding some baking soda just for digestive purposes. According to the Mayo Clinic, sodium bicarbonate (the scientific way of saying baking soda) is used to alleviate heartburn and indigestion by counteracting excess stomach acid, just like an antacid.
Tip #3: Pour Hot Tea Over Ice
In general, adding water to tea will dilute it and makes it less bitter.
If you prefer or don’t mind an iced tea, this method will work perfectly in cooling down your brew and making it more palatable to your taste buds.
To make an iced tea, simply fill a cup with ice and pour the hot tea into the cup. The ice will melt quickly, but your tea will be cool. Add ice as needed to make it colder. If the tea is still too bitter for you, add some sweetener, syrup, or lemon to boost its sweetness.
Make the Perfect Overnight Iced Tea
Instead of adding more water, you can also chill your tea in the refrigerator for a refreshing, tasty iced tea. Cold brewing tea overnight in cold water reduces bitterness and makes the tea taste smoother on the tongue.
Create a cold brew tea by brewing it in the evening and letting the concoction (with the teabag still in it) sit in your fridge overnight. Add some lemon slices when ready to drink for a sweeter taste! This can also be done with loose leaf teas and an infuser.
Instead of Pouring Cold Water into Tea, Try Adding Lukewarm Water
While pouring hot tea over ice creates the perfect summertime treat, adding cold water straight into hot tea is not recommended. It’s not bad for you but adding cold water does negate some of tea’s health benefits and worsens the bitter taste.
If you want to dilute your tea or cool it off a bit, try adding some lukewarm water instead. It will keep your tea tasting great and cool it down effectively.
Tip #4: Don’t Overboil Water
According to an article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, it is possible to overcook water when making tea:
“Tea connoisseurs claim that water boiled for more than a few seconds, or more than once, loses its air and produces tea that tastes flat.”
It sounds outlandish, but chemistry proves it’s true.
Because all types of water (from mineral to spring to tap water) contain different types of minerals and gases that determine its acidity. The acidity of the water reacts with tea to create a distinct taste after steeping.
Therefore, if you boil water twice or boil for too long, it will create a different taste from the tea’s intent, and it’s visible in the color. Freshly boiled spring water made a great brew while the reboiled water created a darker, more bitter tea.
For a less bitter tea, boil your water the right way. To avoid overcooking your water, take it off heat the moment it starts bubbling and let it cool for a minute or two before adding the tea bag or leaves.
Ensure Your Water is the Right Temperature
Along with boiling your water just the right amount, make sure it’s also the right temperature for brewing tea.
Every type of tea requires a different temperature; black tea can handle hotter water, while green tea needs a lower water temperature.
The general recommendation is that water temperature should range between 160 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A simple rule of thumb is to heat water to just before the boiling point.
Hot water shortens the tea’s steep time, while cooler water lengthens it and allows the flavors to fully infuse with the water.
High-Quality Water Gives High-Quality Results
Just like you should be using high-quality tea leaves (see below), your water should be high-quality as well. The more purification chemicals and minerals in your water (i.e., chlorine), the stranger your tea will taste. The chemicals in certain water affect the tannins in tea and can make it more bitter. If you can, use spring water.
Tip #5: Use High-Quality Tea Leaves
The higher quality the leaves used for brewing, the better the taste and sweetness of the tea. There are many teas out there coming from different companies and different places around the world and so many opportunities to try different teas before you find your favorite!
How to Find High-Quality Tea
There are teas available for every type of palate, whether you enjoy relaxing chamomile and lavender tea in the evening or a rich English breakfast in the morning.
These are some of the best teas you can find for less bitter taste:
| Brand | Highlights | Teas Offered | Cost |
| Teakruthi | All-natural, sustainable, donates 4% of each dollar spent to charities | Loose-leaf Ceylon (from Sri Lanka)– all types | $10.95 per 2.8 oz; subscription and variety packs also available |
| Celestial Seasonings | The original herbal tea company that focuses on health and happiness through tea; widely available in American grocery stores | Variety of different teas available, each with different herbal and flower additions | Varies; about $19.65 for 120 tea bags |
| Harney & Sons | Family-owned American company with creative blends and brews | Large variety of brews and blend methods, including iced teas and sachets | Varies by type; $12 per 50 tea bags |
| The Republic of Tea | Specializes in gluten-free tea; promotes health benefits of their teas | More than 300 loose leaf and bags, iced teas, and more | $10 per 50 tea bags |
| Bigelow | U.S. family company in business for more than 70 years; widely available in grocery stores | More than 50 types of tea | Varies; around $18.95 for 120 tea bags online |
These are just a few of great tea brands available. Head to your grocery store and scan the aisles for reputable brands. Look into getting tea leaves over tea bags or balls to ensure the best brew.
What’s the Difference Between Tea Bags and Loose Tea Leaves?
Using tea bags to steep a quick cup of tea is easier than brewing with loose tea leaves, but you can’t beat the quality of finely brewed loose leaves. Most of what you’ll find in tea bags are broken tea leaf leftovers called dust and fannings, which hinders the quality and increases bitterness.
According to The Tea Spot, broken tea leaves often lose their essential oils and aromas, resulting in a more bitter brew. For less bitter taste in your tea, try brewing with loose leaf tea and an infuser.
Many brands are starting to sell tea balls, or tightly packed leaves, that expand in the water as you infuse it. While a novelty idea, tea balls are not ideal for a proper brew and can make tea taste more bitter. Because the leaves are packed so tight, the water can’t infuse properly, and your cup of tea won’t have a lot of great flavors.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea
Brewing loose leaf tea ensures the highest quality taste and least bitterness in your tea’s flavor.
According to this video from Arbor Teas, there are three ways you can brew loose leaf tea for a less bitter, great-tasting tea:
Use a Tea Infuser
Insert a tea infuser into the cup you plan to drink out of. Add your tea to the infuser (the amount varies, but it should generally be 1 teaspoon of loose leaves for every 8 ounces of water). Heat your water, then pour it over the tea leaves. Steep for a few minutes, then remove the infuser. Add sweeteners as desired and enjoy!
Use a Teapot
Insert a tea infuser into a teapot and add your tea (again, the amount varies depending on how much water you want to use). Heat your water and pour it over the tea. Steep your tea for a few minutes, then pour into your cup and enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable brew.
Brewing Loose Leaf Tea with a Cup
This is the easiest method but works only if you don’t mind loose leaves at the bottom of your cup! Measure your tea into a cup and add your heated water. Steep for a few minutes and let the leaves sink to the bottom. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy.
Tip #6: Don’t Over Brew the Tea
Over-brewing tea reduces its taste and quality, making it more bitter and less enjoyable. As tea steeps, it releases the bitter tannins found in the leaves. The longer you steep your tea, the more tannins it will release.
While tannins are good for the body and are what make tea taste so good, they’re only good in moderation. This is how long you should steep different teas so too many tannins aren’t released and for the best taste:
| Tea Type | Minutes to Steep |
| Black and herbal teas | Four minutes |
| Green and white tea | two to Three minutes |
| Oolong and paper bag teas | Two minutes (can be steeped multiple times for optimal flavor) |
If the tea’s taste isn’t quite right, add more leaves instead of steeping it longer. Always take a teabag out of the cup before drinking; leaving it in will over-steep the tea and add bitterness.
Never squeeze excess water from your teabag into your cup – the most bitter parts will reduce the taste.
Tip #7: Let Tea Rest Before Enjoying
Just like cooking a delicious meal, always let your tea sit and “cook” before enjoying it. After steeping, let it sit for about five minutes to let the flavor infuse into the water. If the flavor isn’t quite right, add a few more leaves or another bag and steep again for a stronger taste.
Any way you choose to enjoy your tea, make sure it is adapted to your taste. There are plenty of ways to change the taste – from sweet to bitter and back, so experiment with as many options as you have for changing your tea taste, starting with these go-to tips.
