BamaTanya Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 to adjust? (I'm used to 2 sugars. :glare:) My, that green tea this morning was bitter and I couldn't finish the whole cup. I have several health reasons for cutting back on sugar but I sure like having something warm to get me going in the mornings. I don't want to substitute other sweeteners. Will I get used to the bitterness? Should I try a splash of lemon juice or something to counteract it? Is cold turkey best? Or should I gradually cut back on the sugar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmiraGulch Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I'd go with cutting back. Let your taste buds grow accustomed to less sugar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 If you dislike the taste that much, I'd cut back gradually. Maybe do half the sugar that you normally do. I actually prefer a little honey in my green tea. The honey gives it a zing of flavor that sugar doesn't. A little lemon with the honey sounds yummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I would cut back. You could try a bit of not too sour OJ in your tea. Do you put in milk? I find if I whip my milk with one of those buzzy frappe things (hot milk) it tastes sweeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree to cut back to one sugar for a few weeks. Also, there are some herb teas, like Cinnamon Apple or Orange Spice, that need very little sugar to taste sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) I always drink black tea without any sweetener. Perhaps that is why I prefer my tea fairly weak. If it is weak, I like the taste, but if it too strong, then it tastes bitter to me. I assume the same may apply to green tea. In order to make the tea a consistent strength, we steep four cups of tea from a single teabag for quite a long time. I also do "mechanical steeping" by tapping on the bag with the side of a spoon before pouring. Anyway, you might want to try brewing a larger quantity to reduce the bitterness. Edited November 7, 2011 by RegGuheert quarts->cups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) You also may want to switch teas for a while, so you aren't trying to duplicate the sweet taste. I really like vanilla rooibos and one called Fireside Chai. The Chai has a liitle spice, instead of sweetness. Add a little milk and it's really yummy. Also, if the green tea is bitter, you may be overbrewing it and the sugar was covering it up. It should not be brewed at boiling and it doesn't take very long. If Spy Car chimes in, he can tell you optimal time and temp. :) Edited November 7, 2011 by snickelfritz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I cut back gradually. I'd start with cutting back something like a half sugar at a time. Keep the reduction until you become accustomed to it, and then do the next drop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree with phasing it out. Also, look for a different brand of green tea. I was used to 2 teaspoons of sugar in my tea / coffee, but my taste has changed completely since I went off sugar. I don't think I can enjoy a sweetened tea / coffee anymore. I'm drinking my green tea now, and with sugar, it would...oh, it would definitely be bleh. Why would I ruin a perfectly delightful drink with a sweetener? I still enjoy something sweet *with* my tea on a rare occasion. (Usually very dark chocolate). Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 If I eat a little something sweet alongside my coffee or tea, I don't need to sweeten the coffee or tea. Given that you're trying to cut back on sugar altogether, maybe you could have a piece of toast with all-fruit jam on it with your beverage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree with phasing it out. Also, look for a different brand of green tea. :iagree:Mint green tea is less bitter, and then there is oolong. Man do I love oolong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I sweeten my tea with either honey, stevia, or agave. I can't imagine coffee without sugar. I wouldn't drink it at all plain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree with the cutting back slowly. Also ( know this sounds strange) try a little bit of salt. (dash) it reduces the acidity and makes coffee less bitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I agree with the "cut-back slowly" advice. You could try honey, flavored tea, lemon, etc. I prefer my hot tea with milk (or cream) and sugar, but if I wanted to reduce the sweetner I would probably reduce the sugar little-by-little then substitute it with honey then remove that. With coffee, I don't know what I would do. I like having sugar in it to help with the bitter taste. I justify the little bit of sugar because I drink my weight in water (almost) every day. I don't consume any sodas (soft drinks/pops) whether regular or diet. For me, my body treats artificial sweetner the same as sugar. I lost weight when I removed diet soft drinks from my diet. I love my water. It takes getting use to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I've done it. No sugar in my tea and 1 tsp in my coffee. I think overall it's easier if you reduce sugar take in general. Once you aren't used to so much sweetness smaller amounts taste sweeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I've cut out sweetening my coffee recently, too. Finding a good, smooth coffee helps a lot. And, it really helps to add a splash of milk or cream if your diet permits. I don't like sweetened tea, but fruit teas I do like and they have a bit of sweetness to them naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I drink black tea straight but cannot drink plain green tea straight without practically choking/sputtering. I can drink flavored green teas straight. Bigelow makes a peach flavored green tea that I love. You could also mix your green tea with a sweeter flavored herbal tea that you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I make tea with half green tea and half mint (herbal) tea. It's much less bitter than green tea alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 It took me three weeks to get used to it. I went cold turkey. I agree with the PP who recommended trying different brands/flavors. I usually pour my hot green tea into a tall glass of ice. I like it much better. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ofus Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 I've done it. No sugar in my tea and 1 tsp in my coffee. I think overall it's easier if you reduce sugar take in general. Once you aren't used to so much sweetness smaller amounts taste sweeter. I was going to say this very thing. Also agree with choosing another brand. Our favorite is Mighty Leaf. The bag & leaves are beautiful!! It almost seems a shame to mess it up with sugar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 to adjust? (I'm used to 2 sugars. :glare:) My, that green tea this morning was bitter and I couldn't finish the whole cup. I have several health reasons for cutting back on sugar but I sure like having something warm to get me going in the mornings. I don't want to substitute other sweeteners. Will I get used to the bitterness? Should I try a splash of lemon juice or something to counteract it? Is cold turkey best? Or should I gradually cut back on the sugar? Brew your green tea with lower temperature water. Boiling-hot water makes green tea "bitter." If you are rushed and not able to sit with a thermometer in the heating water you can do what I do (being lazy, but liking good tea) and just add some cool water to the pot first and then add boiling water so it all balances out. Presto, no bitterness! Bill ETA: A small amount of experimentation with a (tea-free) tea-pot and different ratios of hot and cool water measure with an instant read thermometer can give one a very good approximation for future use just by eye-balling how much cool water to add first. even a total guess is better than boiling water alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 to adjust? (I'm used to 2 sugars. :glare:) My, that green tea this morning was bitter and I couldn't finish the whole cup. I have several health reasons for cutting back on sugar but I sure like having something warm to get me going in the mornings. I don't want to substitute other sweeteners. Will I get used to the bitterness? Should I try a splash of lemon juice or something to counteract it? Is cold turkey best? Or should I gradually cut back on the sugar? I always follow exact directions on green tea because it gets bitter SO fast when I brew it. I have also started using stevia as a sweetening. It has no calories and does not raise sugar in your blood. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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