Scientists say we should be microwaving our cups of tea

Jul 22, 2024

This might cause a brew-haha.

Want to get more caffeine from your green tea? Your microwave might be the answer. We know this sounds like blasphemy but hear us out, it’s backed by science.

In 2012, a study in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis showed that microwaving your tea could increase its health benefits by extracting more caffeine than traditional steeping.

Researchers found that the typical three-minute steeping time recommended by tea makers doesn’t fully extract all the good stuff, like catechins, caffeine, and theanine. They tested five different tea brands under various brewing conditions to find this out.

They also tried “microwave-assisted extraction” (MAE), putting both room temperature and hot water in a beaker with a tea bag, then microwaving it for 30, 45, or 60 seconds. This method boosted the extraction of catechins, caffeine, and theanine by 34 percent, 29 percent, and 14 percent, respectively.

The study found that starting with room-temperature water and then microwaving it was less effective than following traditional steeping instructions. The optimal approach? Brew your tea in freshly boiled water for at least 30 seconds before microwaving it for a minute.

The study concluded that using a microwave at home can efficiently extract the key components from green tea bags. For those who drink green tea for its health benefits, this method could help maximise the intake of catechins.

But there’s a catch. This method produces a stronger tea due to the high concentration of catechins, which may make the tea more bitter and astringent than usual, so if you like your brew without the bitterness – keep the honey on hand.

How much caffeine is there in tea?

The caffeine content of your cuppa will vary on what tea blend you’re using (and if you’ve put it in the microwave). Typically, black tea has the highest amount of caffeine, with around 26 milligrams of caffeine in an average cup. This is compared to an average coffee which contains 40 milligrams.