Why is proper brewing temperature important when making tea-based drinks to manage bitterness?

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Temperature is the lever that controls how much of a tea’s compounds dissolve into the brew. The bitter compounds in tea, mainly tannins, come out more readily as water gets hotter. By using a proper brewing temperature for the tea you’re making, you limit how much tannin is extracted, which helps keep bitterness under control while still pulling out the desirable flavors and aroma. If the water is too hot, you can over-extract and end up with a harsh, bitter drink; if it’s too cool, you may under-extract and miss flavors. If needed, a touch of sugar or another sweetener can help balance any remaining bitterness, but the first step is dialing in the right temperature to manage extraction.