what does it mean to steep tea

To steep tea means to soak tea leaves or a tea bag in hot water to extract the flavor and health-promoting compounds from the solids used to make tea. Steeping a tea bag is the process of extracting the bioactive compounds and flavor from tea solids, and it is the perfect example of osmosis and diffusion. The tea particles that produce flavanols like caffeine and color move from a high-concentrated area to a lower concentration in the water, creating the best scent and taste of the tea. To steep tea, you need to pour hot water over your ingredients and let them rest for a few minutes. The ideal temperature and steeping time depend on the type of tea you are brewing, and you should experiment to find what tastes right to you. However, using boiling water will make the tea taste bitter and diminish the nutrients and minerals in the beverage. So, it is recommended to use purified water because tap water could have elements that mask the flavors from the tea.