Good water is very important for a good cup of tea. Considering that a cup of tea is nearly 100% water, it is obvious that good water is very important for a good tasting cup of tea. I think that bottled water, or very well filtered tap water is best for making tea. Never use water that you would not drink by itself.
I found it very interesting how Tao of Tea says that some waters are actually designed for specific tea.
”Dragon Well tea, is considered best when brewed with water from the famous Tiger-Run Spring. “. and “Ancient tea masters would even have fresh water from renowned springs carried many miles in stone containers to ensure they had the best water for their tea.”.
This shows how important good water is for the best cup of tea. I guarantee you will taste a big difference between a cup of tea brewed with hose water, compared to tea from a bottle, or compared to water from a fresh spring.
Apparently, water is so important in tea because, “subtle variations in the pH (acidity, alkalinity) and mineral content (Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS) of the water can affect the taste”. So science even backs up the tremendous impact of good water for tea. Although I doubt that many of us are able to hike up to a mountain spring for fresh water, good bottled water is usually the best option for tea.
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11 responses so far ↓
I always use bottled water to prepare my tea. From my experience, bottled water makes a big difference in the flavor of the tea.
Yes, good water makes good tea.
ANd bad water makes bad tea!
Really, I always use just tap water for my tea? Does bottled really make that much of a difference?
Sue, the simple answer is…yes
atleast if you are an experienced tea drinker you will taste the difference.
Yaah it is true people don’t pay much attentation to water before making tea,but it really changes the taste of tea.I love making & drinking tea specially oolong tea.
Yaah it is true people don’t pay much attentation to water before making tea,but it really changes the taste of tea.I love making & drinking tea specially oolong tea
I think the two biggest enemies in water, when it comes to tea is chlorine taste, and too much (tds; total dissolved minerals).
Bottled water with low tds is ideal, but it’s also very inconvenient. I’m actually considering getting a good filter, and just use that. The tds will not be altered, as only RO and distillation effect that, but the water otherwise will be quite good.
If you have low tds tap water, consider yourself very lucky. That would be the best option, that and filtration.
Agreed, I always at least filter the water.
Totally agree with this. I’d say that the quality of the water is at least equal in importance as the quality of the tea.
I find that the quality of water is at least as important if not important than the quality of tea.
Anyone heard/use bamboo charcoal before? It’s great as water purifier. Actually makes a difference in the taste.