Many people drink tea to relax, or for nutritional benefits. Those who regularly enjoy tea likely have some sort of a kettle they use to make it, but occasional tea drinkers probably don’t. Some people even enjoy their tea cold. So, for those who are not seasoned tea drinkers, you may be wondering if it’s possible or recommended to microwave tea bags.
The answer to whether or not you can microwave tea bags is not strictly black and white. There are precautions you should take if you’re going to. Some people will say you should avoid microwaving tea at all costs. Here we’ll go over the pros and cons, and the right way to microwave tea bags.
First and foremost, when microwaving liquids, the heat isn’t dispersed evenly. When you microwave liquid, you really have no idea what temperature it is. Also when microwaving a liquid, hot spots are formed. So if you drink tea that has been brewed in a microwave, you may get sips of different temperatures.
If done incorrectly, microwaving tea bags can get messy and borderline dangerous. For example, you set your tea in the microwave and let it run for a couple minutes. The next thing you know, it’s overflowing and spewing all over the place. Obviously, you want to avoid this. Many tea bags might even have a label that says to not microwave them. This is so companies can avoid being held liable if someone burns themselves while trying to microwave tea bags.
While you should definitely heed warnings and use caution, it is possible to safely microwave tea bags. Research has also shown that microwaving tea is the most effective way to get the tea’s nutrients and the best flavor possible. When microwaved, 80 percent of caffeine in your tea is activated, as well as antioxidants and amino acids.
To properly microwave tea bags and reap the most benefits possible, first you’re going to need a microwave-safe mug. Add water and tea to your mug, then place it in the microwave. Turn on the microwave setting for fifty percent power, and heat for thirty seconds. If it’s not warm enough, continue in very short intervals. Once ready, let the mug sit for one minute before consumption.
Using this method, you can safely microwave a tea bag. It can’t be guaranteed that the top and bottom of your mug will be equal temperatures, though. But if it’s your only option, a microwave can be used in place of a kettle for making tea. Some tea bags have staples on them, which is safe in the microwave as well.
Final Thoughts
If you don’t have anything else to make tea with, or are in a time crunch, you can use a microwave. This must be done carefully, though, because microwaves are much more unpredictable than a kettle or stovetop. But yes, when using caution, a microwave can certainly be used to warm up a tea bag in water.
