Tea Questions: Why Does My Tea Taste Bitter (and How Do I Fix It?)

We’ve all been there. You brew a cup of tea, sit down, take a sip, and something’s off. It’s sharp and drying, and you’re left wondering what went wrong? You feel you've you brewed it exactly how you always do, and this time it just tastes bitter for no clear reason.

Bitterness in tea can happen for several reasons. The good news is that it’s easy to fix once you understand these. Let’s explore why your tea might taste bitter, how to stop it happening again, and how to choose a tea that gives you all the flavour you love without the bite.

What “Bitter” Tea Actually Means

When tea tastes bitter, it isn’t spoiled. Tea leaves naturally contain tannins and polyphenols. These compounds give tea structure and depth, much like the dryness in red wine or the complexity in dark chocolate.

When they’re extracted in balance, they create a full, satisfying cup. When they dominate, bitterness takes over.

Astringency is often sensed on the edges of the tongue, bitterness through the rear/middle part. Astringency is seen as a favoured sensation in tea, whereas bitterness is generally a flavour that is to be avoided. 

Some people enjoy that edge. It can make a tea feel bold and assertive. But the key for most people is balance.

What “Strong” Tea Really Means

People often say they like their tea strong. But what does that mean? For some, it’s about caffeine. For others, colour. Usually however, it’s about flavour intensity.

The word “strong” is often misunderstood. A strong cup doesn’t need to be bitter.

Much of it comes down to particle size. Smaller leaves brew fast and release flavour quickly. That’s ideal if you drink your tea with milk, as milk softens tannins and smooths the taste. It’s also why supermarket blends like Yorkshire Gold or PG Tips deliver a quick, punchy cup.

The problem is that most of those blends only use a small portion of good-quality leaf. The rest is filler. What they do use is cut so finely that it is classed as dust or fannings.

Brewing Technique: Getting the Balance Right

Even great tea can turn bitter if it’s brewed without care. Understanding how different teas behave is the key to consistency.

Most tea bags tend to use small leaf particles. These brew fast, which can make them easy to overdo - especially with supermarket blends that rely on smaller, lower-quality leaves. Squeezing the bag makes it worse, as it pushes out extra tannins that cause bitterness.

Start with a three-minute brew if you drink your tea black or four minutes if you prefer milk.

If you brew loose leaf, the dose matters. Use around 3 grams per 250 ml cup and adjust based on taste. Too much leaf can create a bitter cup even if your timing is right.

Temperature also plays a role. Boiling water extracts faster and can bring out harshness. Leaving boiled water with the lid off for 30 seconds before pouring can encourage a smoother extraction.

In summary - too bitter? Reduce one of these variables - Dose, Temperature (particularly for non black teas) orTime. 

How to Fix Bitter Tea

If your tea tastes bitter and you don’t like it, the best fix is usually milk. It softens the tannins instantly and brings balance back to the cup. Beyond that, it’s about learning for next time.

Brew for a little less time. Don’t squeeze your tea bag. And consider trying a different tea. Some blends are naturally more forgiving than others. Our teas are designed to deliver strength and clarity without crossing into bitterness, so you get the full flavour of the leaf, not the harshness of over-extraction.

Choosing the Right Black Tea for Your Taste

Once you know how to manage bitterness, it’s worth thinking about the kind of black tea that suits you best.

If you prefer a clean, smooth cup, look for:

• Larger leaf teas that release flavour slowly
• Single origin teas that showcase distinct flavour profiles
• High-quality processing that keeps harshness in check

For something rich and full without bitterness, Golden Assam and Ceylon are excellent options. Both offer body and warmth with a clean finish.

Our English Breakfast tea is a step up for anyone who enjoys those classic breakfast teas but wants something better. It’s bold and familiar but made with 100% of the good stuff. 

If you drink tea with milk, it’s the perfect everyday choice. You get flavour, strength, and balance in one cup. 100 English Breakfast tea bags are now only £20, which works out at just 20p per cup - a small upgrade that makes a big difference to your daily brew. Shop English Breakfast Tea Bags →

 

At Waterloo Tea, our tea bags use the same leaves we sell loose. They’re larger in size and we include more tea per bag than the industry standard. This means you get full flavour, balance, and flexibility.

The extra tea in each bag allows you to steep for longer if you want a stronger flavour without it becoming bitter. It’s the convenience of a tea bag, with the quality and control of loose leaf.

And if you love a breakfast tea that wakes you up without overwhelming your palate, Waterloo Breakfast is a single-origin Assam that’s both lively and refined. It’s bold enough for milk yet naturally sweet enough to enjoy black.

If you’re also trying to reduce your sugar intake, choosing a tea with less bitterness and more natural sweetness can help. Teas with a malty or honeyed character can satisfy your palate without the need for added sugar. Try Golden Assam if you want a black tea with natural warmth and depth, or Waterloo Breakfast if you’re after a breakfast tea that can take milk and still taste smooth and rounded. (Our Golden Needle is incredibly smooth also)

Reframing the Experience

Bitterness isn’t failure. It’s feedback. Every slightly overdone cup teaches you more about your preferences and moves you a step closer to the recipe of your perfect brew. 

Maybe you like your tea punchy with milk. Maybe you prefer something softer and more nuanced. There’s no single right answer.

The best way to find your perfect cup is to experiment. Change one thing at a time (leaf size, brew time, temperature) and see how the flavour shifts. That curiosity is what makes tea so enjoyable.

A Cup You’ll Love, Not Endure

A bitter cup of tea is often not the goal. But it’s not the end of the world either. With better leaves and small adjustments, you can turn bitterness into balance.

If you’re ready to enjoy black tea that tastes exactly as it should, explore our range at Waterloo Tea. From the rich comfort of English Breakfast to the smooth clarity of Waterloo Breakfast and the fragrant lift of Earl Grey, each tea is crafted to help you love every sip.

Don't settle for your tea. Savour it.