Online debate ignites over the best way to steep tea bags for stronger hit: ‘Game changer’

An online debate has reignited over a daily office ritual, with thousands of tea drinkers realizing they might be ruining their morning brew without even knowing it.

The controversial “dunk vs. squeeze” debate has taken over social media after a viral Reddit post warned users to immediately stop pushing their tea bags against the side of the mug with a spoon.

While many assume that squeezing a tea bag makes a stronger cuppa or extracts every last bit of flavor, experts and tea lovers agree that all it really does is release bitter, harsh compounds directly into your drink.

The viral discussion began when one passionate user took to Reddit to urge people to stop physically crushing their tea bags once their steep was finished.

They explained that the smooth, “good stuff” like amino acids and caffeine naturally extracts into hot water during a normal steep, while the harsh tannic acid stays locked inside the tea leaf.

But when you tightly press the bag with a spoon, you physically force those concentrated tannins out, leaving a dry and bitter taste in your mouth rather than a “stronger” brew.

The revelation hit hard for thousands of daily tea drinkers who suddenly realized where their hot drinks had been going wrong.

“Wow, thank you so much for this post,” one user commented, adding that they loved tea but hated when it turned out bitter, and that it was a relief to learn it had been their own fault the whole time.

Another commenter agreed the tip was a total “game-changer.”

However, others pointed out that squeezing wasn’t necessarily about strength at all, but rather pure convenience and avoiding a soggy mess on the walk to the bin.

One person confessed that a combination of sheer laziness around disposing of a dripping tea bag and a preference for a darker color kept them squeezing, though they might now start letting the bag drain in the sink strainer instead.

Another user echoed the mess-prevention theory, admitting that while they didn’t know about the bitterness factor, they only ever squished the bag so it wouldn’t drip across the kitchen bench.

To settle the heated debate once and for all, news.com.au spoke with Yorkshire Tea Master Blender Henry Boocock, who confirmed that squeezing entirely changes the chemistry of your tea.

“Steeping tea allows flavors to extract in a balanced way, bringing out the tea’s natural sweetness, aroma and character,” Boocock told news.com.au.

“Squeezing the tea bag forces out liquid trapped in the leaves, which is often higher in tannins, resulting in a stronger but more bitter and astringent cup.”

He explained that the natural bitterness comes from compounds like polyphenols and tannins that normally stay balanced during a regular steep.

“When you squeeze a tea bag, you force out liquid trapped in the leaves that can be more concentrated in these bitter, astringent compounds, making the tea taste harsher,” he warned.

“The controversy is that some people enjoy the stronger flavor, while ‘tea purists’ argue that squeezing sacrifices balance for intensity.”

Boocock noted that while squeezing won’t technically ruin a brew, it undeniably shifts the flavor profile from smooth and rounded to dry and bitter.

For those wanting to brew a proper cup without relying on the dreaded spoon squish, Boocock shared the definitive step-by-step guide to brew the perfect tea.

First, always start with freshly drawn water brought to a full boil, avoiding reboiling old kettle water so the fresh oxygen can help the leaves brew properly.

Next, add your tea bag, and pour the freshly boiled water directly over it.

Instead of rushing the process or mashing the bag, leave it to steep for four to five minutes to pull out the best flavor and color.

Finally, gently remove the tea bag, toss it out, and add your preferred amount of milk or sugar.