Does anything happen if I let my green tea bag steep for way longer than directed?

Question

The package says to let steep for 3-5 minutes, but I usually let mine sit in the cup til I am finished drinking it, maybe up to an hour later. Will I get more of the "healthy stuff" out of the tea?

Answer 1

It will get stronger and more bitter the longer it is steeped

Answer 2

The tea will be stronger yes, but I don't believe there will be more antioxidants in the cup of tea.  I ruin all that healthy stuff by adding a bit of milk and sugar anyway  lol.

Answer 3

Yes because the tea will be stronger.

Answer 4

your tea will be stronger and you will probably get a few leaves in you tea as well.

Answer 5

you will not get more of the "healthy stuff".  what you will get  is stronger tea.   you can add a little more water  & you'll have  larger serving from each tea bag.   most teas will get bitter if they steep too long.  but,  i don't find green tea gets too bitter if left for an hour,  particularly if you add more water (instead of 1 cup of water, use 1& 1/2 cups).   now, if you were using irish or english breakfast tea & steeped it for an hour, it would be undrinkable b/c it's so bitter.  that's why a lot of people put milk in their tea, to cut the bitterness.