Most people do not realize the impact that water has on the flavor of the tea they are brewing. As water comprises 99% of most teas, it is easy to see how the quality of the water you use affects the final results. And the higher the quality of the tea you are brewing, the more essential it is that you use the best water possible.

When you are brewing tea, the best place to start is with cold fresh water. Tap water should be avoided if at all possible, but if tap water is your only source of water - start with cold water, not hot. Because of chlorine levels in most tap water as well as other chemicals and sediment, drinking tea made from tap water will not only significantly impact the flavor of the tea, but can also be a danger to your health.

Ideally the water should be as fresh as possible. If you use filtration systems in your water, such as Brita, you may need to let the water run for a few seconds before collecting it, as some water filtration systems keep standing water in a reservoir until it is used, which can affect the final flavor of the tea.

If fresh running water is not available, bottled water is acceptable, however please be aware that oxygen in the water changes the flavor of the water and the final brewed tea. Generally speaking, the more oxygen in the tea, the better the flavor. Oxygen helps bring out the best flavors in the tea you are brewing, and some flavored teas need the oxygen to release the flavor oils properly. Aeration is especially important when brewing higher quality tea. Because of this, most experts agree that you should ideally not re-use already boiled water, or boil water for too long which reduces the amount of oxygen in the water and hinders the fresh, crisp flavor of the tea.

Overall, it is the quality of the water you use which makes or breaks the tea you are brewing. For the tastiest, most delicious - and overall best tea, it is prudent to find the best water source you can find for brewing that tea.

–Stephanie Davies