One of the most important factors in achieving the perfect cup of tea is the water you use. Water needs to be boiled to the right temperature to bring out the best in tea, prevent it from becoming bitter, and to extract the beneficial compounds from the tea leaves.

To get your water to the correct temperature, you can boil it and then let it cool to the desired temperature. However, an even better method is to heat the water directly to the right temperature. This way, you won’t lose the oxygen in the water, which is essential for flavor – oxygen enhances the taste, which is why it’s recommended to aerate wine in your mouth during wine tasting.

The right temperature is crucial, and fortunately, there is a wide range of kettles with adjustable temperature settings available on the market. There are two options for these kettles. Some allow you to set an exact temperature by entering it digitally. These kettles are more sophisticated and tend to cost a bit more. Another option is a kettle with pre-programmed temperatures, including the most common options: 70°C, 80°C, 90°C, 95°C, and 100°C. The more options, the more precision you can achieve.

Each type of tea has its own specific ideal temperature, the temperature at which it releases its full range of flavors. Since every tea is unique, it’s recommended to experiment with your kettle at different temperatures. However, there are general guidelines you can keep in mind:

For white tea: 80 to 85 degrees Celsius
For green tea: 70 to 80 degrees Celsius
For oolong tea: 80 to 90 degrees Celsius
For black tea: 95 degrees Celsius