Whether you’re a green tea novice or a seasoned expert, the world of tea holds an undeniable allure.
The aroma, flavor, and visual beauty of green tea come together to create endless exciting possibilities, allowing you to connect with ancient traditions from around the world, all from the comfort of your cup, carefully prepared with a teapot. There’s nothing quite like the taste of green tea!
If you feel overwhelmed by the many options or unsure which is the healthiest choice, you’re in the right place. You don’t need a PhD to find and enjoy the perfect cup of green tea. Our experts have shared their knowledge to help you discover your favorites.
And if you’re wondering how to brew green tea the right way, look no further. Each of our suggestions comes with tips to enhance your experience, so you can master the art of tea-making. (Spoiler: always use warm water, NOT boiling!)
What is green tea ?
Green tea is a “true” tea, meaning it comes from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis. This same plant also produces black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. Beyond the many varieties of the tea plant, green tea types differ based on growing conditions, cultivation methods, harvest timing, and processing. And yes, pure green tea contains caffeine, though decaffeinated versions do exist.
The main tasting notes of green tea leaves are savory, spicy, fruity, floral, and vegetal. Some varieties may be sweet, floral and fruity, grassy, smoky, earthy, or nutty.
In the tradition of tea tasting, the smell, texture, and appearance are just as important as the flavor, so be sure to engage all your senses to fully appreciate your tea.
And when you drink green tea, don’t forget to notice how you feel both during and after the experience. The energizing or calming effects of different tea leaves can vary greatly, largely due to their caffeine content. You might also enhance your green tea experience by choosing certified organic green tea brands.
How to brew green tea ?
Green tea is a fantastic choice if you want to explore new taste experiences, but it’s important to avoid these common mistakes:
- Steeping loose leaf tea for too long
- Expecting low-quality green tea bags to produce a high-quality brew
When brewing green tea, excessive heat or oversteeping will result in a bitter tea high in tannins. An instant-read digital thermometer and a simple kitchen timer are valuable tools when preparing your tea.
You can achieve the perfect water temperature by bringing it to a boil, then pouring it into a separate teapot and letting it sit for a few minutes before adding your tea leaves.
As a general rule, the higher the quality of the tea, the lower the brewing temperature should be. A high-quality tea, when brewed correctly, is never bitter.
Typically, steep your green tea between 62-82°C for one to three minutes. The steeping time can vary depending on the tea, but you can experiment to find your preferred duration.
Lastly, most green tea bags found in grocery stores don’t produce a high-quality brew. The small bags compress the tea leaves during steeping and often contain lower-grade, machine-processed leaves. It’s also best to stick to green tea blends with only natural flavors, free from preservatives and additives.
The 8 best varieties of green tea (and how to brew them)
- Sencha
- Matcha
- Jasmine
- Genmaicha
- Gunpowder
- Longjing
- Gyokuro
- Mint
1. SENCHA
Sencha is the most popular green tea in Japan, accounting for about 80% of the country’s green tea production.
If you’ve ever traveled to Japan, you’ve likely been served this tea at mealtimes and social gatherings. Organic sencha (free from additives) is loved for its smooth, grassy flavor with hints of pine and summer fruits.
Most sencha leaves are briefly steamed during processing, giving them a yellow hue and a vibrant taste. Those steamed for longer tend to have a darker color with more pronounced earthy flavors.
To brew loose-leaf sencha, steep it at 76–79°C for one minute. For a milder taste, infuse it at 73–74°C for a minute and a half.
3. MATCHA
Matcha is a bold, full-bodied green tea made from specially grown tea leaves that are finely ground into a powder. Most of the leaves used to create matcha powder are shade-grown, and the labor-intensive process of producing the powder often means matcha is sold at a premium price.
Since you consume the green tea powder along with the liquid, matcha offers unparalleled nutritional value. It has an initial astringent, vegetal taste that evolves into a soft, lingering sweetness. Be sure to check out our article on the health benefits of matcha.
To prepare matcha, add two scoops with a Chashaku to three to five ounces of water at 79°C in a bowl and whisk until well combined, forming a frothy top layer.
Traditional matcha preparation calls for a bamboo whisk known as a Chasen, but you can use a kitchen whisk or even a spoon if you don’t have one. Start by whisking slowly at the bottom to break up any clumps, then whisk the top half quickly in a “W” motion.
Once you see foam, it’s ready to drink. For the best flavor, enjoy matcha tea within three minutes. You can also explore how to make a matcha latte with our simple recipe.
3. JASMIN
Jasmine green tea, one of the most famous scented green teas, gained popularity in 17th-century China during the Qing dynasty. It is a true green tea, but unlike sencha and matcha, it is a type of flavored green tea. The green tea leaves are infused with the fragrance of jasmine blossoms during oxidation.
The aroma and flavor of jasmine green tea are light and herbal, with a lingering floral note. Usually, the jasmine flowers are not included in the final product, but in some cases, they are. If you want the most intense floral flavor, look for green tea that contains actual jasmine blossoms.
Steep jasmine tea for two to four minutes at 79°C. A longer steeping time will draw out more of the jasmine’s fragrance and taste.
4. GENMAICHA
Genmaicha was born centuries ago when Buddhist monks are said to have mixed their green tea with browned rice left at the bottom of cooking cauldrons.
This bold and robust green tea combines tea leaves with popped rice grains, creating a uniquely toasty and nutty flavor.
If you enjoy the taste of coffee, you will likely love Genmaicha. Discerning palates will notice that the roasted rice helps soften the astringent qualities of the tea, offering a well-balanced cup.
Steep Genmaicha for two minutes in water heated to 79–85°C.
5. GUNPOWDER
Gunpowder green tea is a type of Chinese tea where each leaf is rolled into a small pellet. Its English name comes from its resemblance to gunpowder grains.
The production of gunpowder tea dates back to the 7th century in China during the Tang dynasty. Originally, individual leaves were hand-rolled, but today only high-quality gunpowder tea is still hand-rolled. The rolling process prevents the leaves from being damaged during transport and helps preserve their character and flavor for a longer time.
Most gunpowder teas are bold, with a slightly smoky flavor and may also feature pleasant oak notes.
The ideal water temperature for gunpowder green tea is between 70-80°C. It can be steeped multiple times—one minute for the first and second infusions, and longer for the third.
6. LONGJING
Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well, is the most famous and premium handcrafted green tea produced in China. It originates from the village of Longjing in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
While the finest Longjing teas can command extravagant prices, you can still find excellent Longjing green teas at affordable prices.
This tea offers a sweet, nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with its vegetal notes and full-bodied texture. You may also notice hints of chestnut and sweet pea as you savor the Longjing.
Steep this tea in water heated to 75-80°C for one to three minutes.
7. GYOKURO
Gyokuro tea is a shaded green tea variety from Japan. The literal translation of Gyokuro is “jade dew.”
Before harvest, these plants are covered for three to six weeks to boost the production of chlorophyll and other plant nutrients.
This tea is known for its bright, savory flavor, vegetal notes, and creamy body. It is often described as having a “marine” taste, with hints of seaweed.
When brewing, use water at 50-60°C for a maximum of two to three minutes, or until the leaves unfurl.
8. MINT
Mint green tea is a flavored green tea variety that uses chopped mint to enhance the fragrance and underlying qualities of the tea leaves.
This tea is refreshing and invigorating, with a smooth taste and aroma. (No need for sweeteners!) Mint is both soothing and energizing, complementing the stimulating properties of the tea. Without a doubt, mint green tea is one of the most delightful summer teas, especially when served iced.
Brew it at 76°C for one to three minutes, or steep it overnight in cold water for iced tea.
The Benefits of Green Tea
Now that you know which are the best teas, you might be wondering why you should drink them – especially instead of a cup of coffee, for instance. So, what exactly is green tea good for?
In short, green tea contains unique polyphenols called catechins. These catechins, including EGCG, are antioxidants that help our bodies combat free radicals. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of several of our biological systems.
In Summary
Whether you’re looking to improve your well-being or simply expand your beverage horizons, a selection of green tea blends should definitely be on your wishlist.
Green tea is a drink like no other. It’s more eco-friendly than coffee, contains just enough caffeine for a gentle lift, and offers calming effects thanks to the natural amino acid L-theanine. Plus, the taste of green tea can become quite addictive!
Whether you prefer a light and smooth tea (like sencha), bold and vegetal (like matcha), or strong and smoky (like gunpowder tea), the perfect tea for you is waiting to be discovered. There are almost as many varieties of green tea as there are herbal teas!
If you’ve never explored high-quality green tea brewed with care, you’re in for a treat!
