A cup of tea has the ability to uplift, energise, or calm the spirit. But it all depends on the tea's flavour and quality. Have you ever noticed that occasionally, even while using premium tea leaves, the flavour is lacking? The water is the cause. The taste, aroma, and overall enjoyment of your tea are significantly influenced by the water quality throughout the infusion process. No matter how high-quality the tea leaves are, 99% of a cup of tea is water and 1% is actual tea. Let's have a thoughtful conversation about tea infusion science. 

What is Tea infusion?

Let's quickly review the principles of tea infusion before discussing how water affects tea. Infusion is the term used to describe what happens when tea leaves are steeped in hot water. The tea's distinctive flavour and scent are brought about by the water's extraction of substances from the leaves.

What determines the quality of water?

How your tea will taste is greatly influenced by the quality of the water. Depending on its source, mineral content, pH level, and purity, water can have different compositions. The environment, the methods used to clean the water, and the availability of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and salt are just a few of the many variables that affect the quality of the water.

The minerals in your water have a significant impact on the flavour of your tea. Low mineral content soft water has a tendency to produce a more delicate and mellow flavour. On the other hand, hard water with a high mineral concentration can give your tea a stronger, occasionally harsher, flavour.

The process of infusion is also influenced by the pH of the water. Water's pH should ideally be around 7 (neutral). Extremely acidic or highly alkaline water can change the way chemicals are extracted from tea leaves, giving the beverage a varied flavour character.

Minerals in water can change the taste of your tea.

The minerals in the water can either enhance or inhibit the natural flavours of the tea as they interact with the tea leaves. Some tea components have a tendency to bind to calcium and magnesium, which are frequently present in hard water, making them less soluble and lowering the overall extraction of flavours. Tea may taste flat as a result of this.

In contrast, less mineralized, softer water enables higher extraction of the tea's natural ingredients, producing a more complex and flavourful drink. The most enjoyable and well-rounded cup of tea is often produced by water with a balanced mineral content.

Chlorine, too, can change the taste.

Although chlorine is frequently added to tap water as a disinfectant, its presence can make your tea taste bad. Chlorine-containing water can react with specific chemicals in tea leaves during boiling, giving off tastes and odours. Before making tea, letting the water stand for a few minutes might help the chlorine disappear, enhancing the flavour.

Temperature plays a significant role. 

Additionally, the taste of the tea is substantially influenced by the water's temperature during brewing. For each type of tea to reach its maximum potential, the water temperature must be adjusted. For instance, black tea benefits from hotter water (approximately 100 degrees Celsius), but green tea generally tastes better when brewed with cooler water (approximately 60-85 degrees Celsius).

Too much purified water can make your tea taste dull. 

Some tea connoisseurs like brewing their tea using distilled or filtered water because they think it yields the purest flavour. While pollutants and toxins are removed by filtered water, it lacks the mineral content that might improve the flavour of tea. As a result, using distilled or highly filtered water could make your tea taste weaker and dull.

Take some time to observe the complex dance that occurs when water and tea leaves are combined the next time you drink a cup of tea. Your beloved beverage's flavour and scent might be affected by water quality, mineral content, pH level, and even chlorine presence. Try experimenting with various water types to see how they affect your tea experience. Finding the ideal balance will surely improve your enjoyment of drinking tea. A beautiful symphony of tastes is created when water and tea leaves are combined, so lift your cup to this marvellous science.