Hab / it / of / Brew / ing / Tea / Too / Strong

Brewing a properly balanced cup of tea requires careful attention to steeping time. Some prefer strong tea, but excessive concentration releases too much caffeine and tannic acid, which can irritate the stomach. This is not advisable.

Ex / ces / sive / Brew / ing / Time

With a standard amount of tea leaves, steeping for under a minute is ideal—some teas only need seconds or tens of seconds to infuse. By then, 80% of caffeine and 60% of other soluble compounds have already been extracted. Over-steeping makes the tea taste bitter.

Us / ing / a / Ther / mos / Cup

Tea is best brewed in ceramic pots or cups, not thermoses. A thermos keeps tea hot for too long, causing aromatic oils to evaporate, reducing flavor. Excessive tannins and theophylline make the tea bitter, while nutrients are lost, and the tea becomes over-steeped.