Brewing Green Tea In Your Coffee Maker Safely

Quick answer

• Yes, you can brew green tea in most coffee makers.
• Use a paper filter and loose leaf tea or tea bags.
• Brew at a lower temperature than coffee, around 175°F.
• Do a rinse cycle with just water first.
• Clean the machine thoroughly afterward.
• Don’t expect the exact same flavor as traditional methods.

Who this is for

• Coffee lovers who also enjoy tea.
• People looking for a quick and convenient way to make tea.
• Anyone curious if their coffee machine can handle more than just beans.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Most drip coffee makers work. If you have a super fancy espresso machine or a Keurig, this probably isn’t the way to go. For drip machines, you’ll want a standard paper filter. Some folks use reusable metal filters, but paper is usually cleaner for tea.

For drip machines, you’ll want a standard paper filter. These paper filters are a great option for ensuring a clean brew.

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Water quality and temperature

Good water makes good tea, just like coffee. Use filtered water if your tap water tastes off. Green tea is sensitive to heat. Boiling water can scorch the leaves, making it bitter. Aim for around 175°F. Your coffee maker might not have a temp setting, so you might need to let it cool a bit after brewing.

Good water makes good tea, just like coffee. Consider using a water filter to improve the taste of your tea.

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Grind size and coffee freshness

This doesn’t apply directly to tea, but it’s a good reminder about your coffee maker. If you’re switching back to coffee, make sure your coffee beans are fresh and ground right before brewing. Stale grounds will make for a sad cup of coffee.

Coffee-to-water ratio

For tea, you’ll use a different ratio. Think about how much tea you want to steep. A general rule is 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of water. For tea bags, one bag per cup is standard. Adjust to your taste.

Cleanliness/descale status

This is crucial. If your coffee maker has old coffee residue or mineral buildup, it will absolutely mess with your tea’s flavor. Run a descaling cycle if it’s been a while. A clean machine is a happy machine, for coffee and tea.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Clean your coffee maker.

• What to do: Run a cleaning cycle or at least a water-only cycle. Make sure the carafe and filter basket are spotless.
• What “good” looks like: No lingering coffee smells or residue. The water comes out clear.
• Common mistake: Skipping this step. You’ll end up with bitter, coffee-flavored tea. Avoid it by doing a thorough clean.

2. Prepare the filter basket.

• What to do: Place a clean paper filter in the basket.
• What “good” looks like: The filter sits snugly without any gaps.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty filter or no filter. This leads to grounds in your tea.

3. Add your green tea.

• What to do: Add loose leaf green tea or your tea bags to the filter. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of loose tea or 1 bag per 8 oz of water.
• What “good” looks like: The tea is distributed evenly in the filter.
• Common mistake: Overfilling the basket. This can cause the water to overflow or brew too strong.

4. Add water to the reservoir.

• What to do: Fill the reservoir with fresh, filtered water. Use the amount of water that corresponds to the amount of tea you added.
• What “good” looks like: The water level is clear and within the machine’s markings.
• Common mistake: Using hot water directly in the reservoir. This can damage the machine. Always use cold water.

5. Start the brew cycle.

• What to do: Turn on your coffee maker.
• What “good” looks like: The machine starts heating and dripping water.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to turn it on! Seriously, it happens.

6. Monitor the brew.

• What to do: Watch the water drip through the tea. Most coffee makers brew around 195-205°F. For green tea, you want cooler.
• What “good” looks like: The water is dripping, but not at a furious boil.
• Common mistake: Letting the machine brew at its standard high temp for too long. This can scorch the tea.

7. Stop the brew early (optional but recommended).

• What to do: For green tea, you often want to stop the cycle before all the water has gone through, or let the brewed tea sit for a minute to cool. Aim for that 175°F range.
• What “good” looks like: The carafe has a good amount of tea, and it’s not steaming excessively.
• Common mistake: Letting it brew until the carafe is full, resulting in overheated, bitter tea.

8. Serve and enjoy.

• What to do: Pour the tea into your favorite mug.
• What “good” looks like: A pleasant aroma and a smooth, enjoyable taste.
• Common mistake: Drinking it too hot. Let it cool slightly.

9. Clean immediately.

• What to do: Discard the used tea leaves/bags and rinse the filter basket and carafe thoroughly. Run a water-only cycle.
• What “good” looks like: No tea stains or residue left behind.
• Common mistake: Leaving the used tea in the filter. This can lead to mold and lingering odors.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your coffee maker has a “brew strength” setting, use the “mild” or “light” option for tea.
• If you taste coffee in your tea, then you didn’t clean the machine well enough.
• If your green tea tastes bitter, then the water was likely too hot or you brewed it too long.
• If you have a Keurig or Nespresso, then this method is not recommended; use a dedicated tea maker or steeper.
• If your tap water tastes bad, then use filtered water for a cleaner tea flavor.
• If you’re using a reusable metal filter, then be extra diligent about cleaning it to avoid coffee oils transferring.
• If the tea smells “off,” then it’s time to descale your coffee maker.
• If you want a bolder tea flavor, then increase the amount of tea leaves slightly, not the brew time or temperature.
• If you’re brewing a delicate white tea, then aim for an even lower temperature, closer to 160°F.
• If your coffee maker has a “clean” cycle, then run it with just water before brewing tea.
• If you’re using tea bags, then consider removing them from the basket before the final drips to avoid over-extraction.

FAQ

Can I make herbal tea in my coffee maker?

Generally, yes. Herbal teas are often more forgiving with temperature than green teas. Still, clean your machine first and be mindful of brew time.

Will this make my coffee taste like tea?

Only if you don’t clean your machine properly between brews. Thorough rinsing is key.

Is it safe to brew tea in a coffee maker?

Yes, it’s safe for most standard drip coffee makers. Just follow the cleaning and temperature guidelines.

What if my coffee maker doesn’t have a temperature setting?

Most don’t. You can try stopping the brew cycle early or letting the hot water sit in the carafe for a minute or two before pouring over the tea leaves.

Can I use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags?

Absolutely! Loose leaf tea often provides a better flavor. Just make sure you use a paper filter to catch the leaves.

How much tea should I use?

Start with about 1 to 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water. For tea bags, one bag per cup is standard. Adjust based on your preference.

What kind of paper filter should I use?

Any standard basket-style paper filter that fits your coffee maker’s basket will work fine.

Will this method work for iced tea?

You could brew a concentrated batch and then dilute it with ice, but it’s not ideal. Dedicated iced tea makers or cold brewing methods are usually better for iced tea.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Brewing tea in specialized coffee machines (e.g., espresso machines, single-serve pod brewers). For these, check your appliance’s manual.
• Specific brewing temperatures for every single type of green tea. You might want to research specific varietals.
• Cold brewing green tea. This is a different process entirely, often yielding a smoother, less bitter result.
• The health benefits of green tea. This guide focuses purely on the brewing process.
• Advanced tea brewing techniques like Gongfu cha.