My Tea isn't Flavorful: 3 Reasons Microwave Water for Tea is Bad

My Tea isn't Flavorful: 3 Reasons Microwave Water for Tea is Bad
There have been a lot of rumors going around lately about microwave water for tea being “healthier” or “more flavorful.” Today, we’re here to dispel some of those myths. This is not a drill! Here are three reasons why microwave water for tea is bad.

While it may be convenient and fast, heating water in microwave for tea is NOT the best way to get a delicious, flavorful, and healthful cup to start off your morning. Here are some reasons why:

1. It Can Get Too Hot


With microwave water for tea, it is very challenging to get the water to the exact temperature you need for a specific kind of tea. We’ve written before on why it is so important to steep your tea at the right temperature. In the microwave, you can’t control the final outcome; if the water is too hot, your tea will get scorched. This is especially a concern for green and white teas.

2. It Might Not Get Hot Enough


For best tasting black tea, pu-erh, and some herbals and oolongs, you need your water to be boiling (around 212 degrees Fahrenheit). If it isn’t hot enough, your tea will be tepid and less flavorful unless you stick it back in the microwave -- once again, risking scorching your tea.

3. Your Cup Could Get Too Hot To Handle


When you pour water into your cup from a kettle, the handle of the cup remains cool to the touch. When you stick your whole cup in the microwave for the time needed for heating water in the microwave for tea, your handle will get hot as well. This may make it intolerably hot when you pull it out, and you could burn yourself.

There is a caveat to all of this though. There is one best way to microwave water for tea: use it to preheat the cup you are using. Preheating ensures that the temperature of your water will not drop when you pour it into your cup. Once again, just be careful not to warm the mug up for too long in the microwave, or it could burn you! Also, be absolutely sure the mug you are using is microwave safe.
If you’re looking for the right equipment to make a delicious cup of tea, check out our variety of teaware and best tea accessories. Still looking for your favorite blend of tea? Chances are you’ll find it in our extensive collection of unique loose leaf tea blends!
Overhead view of two cups of green tea with a bag of loose leaf green tea spilling onto a wooden table.

Elora Powell

Elora is a writer, comic-book lover, and all around geek. She loves pairing records from the 1960s with great cups of tea, and is currently becoming the kind of person that will ask you if you've ever tried Pu Erh.
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