And no, the microwave is not a valid option.
I’m not sure why the hate for microwaves exist. It’s literally just another method for making water move fast. It has absolutely no impact on the final product, as hot water is hot water no matter the heat source.
Water is much more likely to get supersaturated in a microwave, because water heats up in the middle of the container where there are no nucleation points. And supersaturated water heats the tea leaves above 100ºC, which can affect the flavor.
I don’t believe this to be true.
Edit: since the replies aren’t very polite, let me be more clear. This isn’t a concern. Any modern microwave with a turntable doesn’t have this problem
Science doesn’t give a fuck about your “beliefs”
It would only be able to heat the tea to above 100C if that point of zero nucleation remained undisturbed, and the tea held directly within it; in other words, it’s not possible.
Assuming there’s an amount of water within the cup that is above 100C, while the rest is at or below 100C. As soon as you grab the cup out of the microwave, the water will start to slosh around in the cup, equalizing the temperature. If there are any major hot spots remaining, they will be well below 100C, and almost completely equalized when the tea bag is added.
It would only be able to heat the tea to above 100C if that point of zero nucleation remained undisturbed, and the tea held directly within it; in other words, it’s not possible.
To be clear, the liquid water flashes into steam as soon as it contacts the leaves, so technically it isn’t the supersaturated water itself heating the tea over 100º. But the steam it produces is above 100º, and that’s what heats the tea.
I think the issue is that the teabag has to be shocked with boiling water at 100C, not dampened in increasingly hot water. It may not taste as good.
I don’t know if you can boil water in a microwave, but it’s not a kettle, it’s a closed container and you can expect loads of vapour from boiling.
Finally, microwave doesn’t heat stuff evenly, so you may end up with parts of the water superheated, and explode in your face when you take out the cup from the microwave. https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=18822#:~:text=Microwaved water and other liquids,it%2C which can cause injury
You can still heat the water to your desired temp add the tea bags after. I don’t understand how your first point has relevance between a kettle vs microwaved cup
Yes you can easily boil water in the microwave.
The explosion isn’t a real common occurrence, otherwise you’d hear about it much more. Steam from a kettle can harm people as well
I think explosions were more common with microwaves that don’t have turnstiles. The movement of the water helps prevent super heating to that point.
You should try tea that isn’t shocked… Green tea is especially bitter and unpleasant if the water’s too hot. The recommended temperature is 80°C, if I remember right.
But even black tea tastes less bitter if you use slightly rested water after boiling (and if you remove the teabag without squeezing it out). You’re probably used to teas being astringent, but they don’t have to be. They can be smooth and “rounded” and rich.
Because we’re better than that and electric kettles exist.
While I own one, it’s another appliance that takes up space.
As someone who recently had their building flooded and lost power for an extended time an electric kettle can be an extremely useful tool that can be run off a more modest power source or be easily carried to a charging room where power is available. I do think it’s important for every household to have one especially if you suffer frequent brownouts or boil water orders.
Lol at everyone in the replies inventing crazy conspiracy theories.
As someone who has microwaved tea a bunch of times because my workplace didn’t have a kettle, let me bestow upon you the ~~~truth~~~:
Microwaved water is slow to boil (especially compared to a 2500 W kettle for us chad 230V enjoyers), about 2:30 for one cup IIRC and the cup will be uniformly heated including the handle which is annoyingly hot to the touch (and I’m not particularly squeamish with hot things).
Tastes the same though.
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Set the bush on fire, toss a bucket of water on it, drink the hot bush broth drippings
So primitive, in the least impressive way imaginable
Tea bag first, then freshly boiled hot water.
This is how you scold the tea
Perfect
They’re designed to deliver the maximum amount of flavour in ~20 seconds.
So: bag first, then just-boiled water. Wait/steep for 20-60 seconds, fish out the bag with a teaspoon and squeeze against the cup, and then milk.
How do you milk your teabag?
With a come here motion with your finger(s)
It truly is such a versatile motion
Nice. :)
But next you’ll be saying you don’t know how to use the 3 seashells…
Teabag, honey, hot water and then milk (almond in my case)
Honey first you don’t get it on the tea bag Obviously
First step is to gather sticks under the bushes.
Start a fire using paper, newspaper, cardboard, then add sticks and make a larger fire.
Heat up water until boiling.
Add tea bags to thermos and pour the water inside. Now we have 2 days worth of hot tea.
Optional delicious step: pop popcorn
Doesn’t really matter, as long as you add the sugar while the liquid is hot enough to go into supersaturated solution.
Then chill and add ice.
First water, then teabag, then cup.
Teabag. Make sure the water doesn’t hit straight on the teabag, but kinda dunk it so it’s fully wet while pouring.
I usually drink coffee so the water goes in before the teabag, although to be fair the teabag never goes in.
Teabag first just because the water will take a bit to heat up and I might as well do it while I’m waiting
An interesting alternative that I’ve found (for when making English breakfast or something similar) is to steep the teabag in the milk first before adding the hot water. I find that it cuts down on the bitterness and makes a much smoother tea.
I put some extra fiber and collagen protein in my tea, so I put that in first, pour in the heated water, stir, and then the tea bag. If I’m away and don’t have those available, the tea bag first all the way.
I’ve a sweet tooth and like a bit of honey in my tea. So, I put a dab of honey in the cup while the kettle goes, then pour the boiling water in, and use one of those little electric milk frothers to stir it up thoroughly. While the water is still spinning, I toss the tea bag in, and throw the lid on the cup to let it steep for however long.
Teabag and sugar, then drown it in a scalding stream of boiling water.
