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There are several varieties of green tea based on tastes, the region they come from, and how they are prepared. The list below highlights some of the most commonly known and valued green teas:
Sencha
Sencha is the most widely consumed green tea in Japan. It is known for its grassy flavor and rich aroma. It accounts for about 40% of all Japanese tea produced. Depending on the season, different Sencha's have different tastes. For example, the summer Sencha is sweeter because the leaves are more mature. On the contrary, the Sencha picked in early spring, called 'shincha,' has a more delicate and rich taste.
Jasmine green tea
Jasmine green tea is the most popular flavored green tea worldwide. It is renowned for its calming aroma and health benefits. It is primarily made using Chinese green tea leaves, which are scented with the bloom of jasmine flowers. The process involves mixing the tea leaves with fresh jasmine blossoms and allowing them to absorb the jasmine fragrance. Jasmine green tea has a smooth, sweet, and floral flavor. It is also known to contain antioxidants, which help improve women's health by making them look younger.
Matcha
Matcha is a finely ground powdered green tea. It is made from shade-grown tea leaves. The process of making Matcha involves a series of steps. First, the tea plants used to produce Matcha are covered with shade cloths for several weeks before harvest to increase chlorophyll production. This gives the leaves a deeper green color. Second, only the youngest and most tender leaves are plucked. After that, the leaves are steamed to prevent oxidation, then dried. Finally, the leaves are stone-ground into a fine powder.
Since Matcha uses the whole leaf, it contains higher concentrations of caffeine and antioxidants compared to other green teas. It offers a more intense flavor and a more potent health infusion. Matcha has a rich, grassy taste and provides a longer-lasting energy boost due to its alkalizing properties.
Gyokuro
Gyokuro means 'jade dew' in Japanese because of its deep green color. It is a high-quality Japanese green tea known for its rich umami flavor and delicate aroma. Gyokuro is unique because it is grown in the shade for several weeks before harvest, which increases chlorophyll and gives the leaves a deep green color. This shadeless cultivation also gives Gyokuro a sweet taste.
Longjing (Dragon Well) tea
Longjing (Dragon Well) is a famous Chinese green tea from Hangzhou. It is known for its flat-shaped leaves and nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Dragon Well's unique flavor comes from its pan-firing processing method and growing in the famous West Lake region of Hangzhou.
Leaf quality
Look for whole, unbroken leaves instead of tea dust or fannings. Fannings are small broken tea leaves that result from breaking tea leaves during the preparation process. Premium green sencha tea will have vibrant, green-colored leaves. Tea leaves that are dull or brownish are likely aged or of lower quality.
Aroma
Good green tea should have a fresh, vegetative, or slightly sweet smell. If it smells grassy, fishy, or musty, it is likely old, improperly stored, or of poor quality.
Appearance
Quality green tea leaves should be whole, tightly rolled (in the case of certain teas like Tie Guan Yin), and have a glossy surface. For Dragon Well tea, the leaves should be flat and look well pressed. Watch out for yellow or brown leaves, as these are often aged or low-quality teas.
Freshness
Freshness is key to the flavor and health benefits of green tea. It is advisable to check the harvest date and choose teas that are as fresh as possible. For jasmine tea, it is important to look for tea leaves that have been freshly bonded with jasmine blossoms. This ensures the tea has the right aroma and flavor.
Origin
Japan is known for its premium varieties like Gyokuro and Matcha, while China is famous for teas like Dragon Well and Sencha. Choose tea from reputable regions known for specific green tea varieties. This ensures that the tea has the right taste and quality.
Processing methods
Look for teas that have been carefully processed, such as by hand pan-firing or steaming, instead of mass production methods. This greatly affects the flavor and quality of the tea. It also helps preserve its nutrients.
Taste
Taste is a very personal and subjective factor in choosing green tea. It strongly depends on an individual's preferences and the specific type of tea they are consuming. However, there are general characteristics of green tea that one should consider. They include its flavor profile, astringency level, and how it feels in the mouth (bodily texture).
Good-quality green tea should have a balanced flavor that is neither too bitter nor too grassy. It should taste rich, sweet, or slightly vegetal depending on the type. Watch out for very astringent teas that leaves a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth. While astringency is normal for green tea, high-quality teas will have a smoother, less astringent leaf.
Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules and free radicals. Green tea is especially known to have a high concentration of catechins. These are antioxidant compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress.
Improves brain function
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that temporarily helps improve alertness, focus, and overall cognitive performance. Green tea contains moderate levels of caffeine compared to other caffeinated beverages like coffee.
Also, green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without sedation. It helps reduce stress and anxiety while improving calm focus. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in green tea results in improved brain function. This is because they work synergistically to enhance mental clarity, focus, and cognitive performance without causing jitiness.
Boosts immune system
The antimicrobial properties of green tea help in killing or inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. This helps prevent infections and promotes a healthy immune system.
Antioxidants in green tea also support a healthy immune response by protecting immune cells from oxidative stress. This is especially important in aging, where immune function declines.
Support weight loss
Green tea primarily helps with weight loss because it contains catechins (EGCG) and caffeine. These two compounds work together to boost metabolism, which is the rate at which the body burns calories at rest. Green tea also improves fat oxidation, which is the process of breaking down body fat to be used as energy. This helps the body use stored fat for energy during workouts.
Improves heart health
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries. One of the key benefits of green tea is that it lowers blood pressure. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the main catechins in green tea, improves endothelial function and helps relax the blood vessels.
Green tea also lowers cholesterol levels, especially LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglycerides. LDL is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to plaque formation in arteries. Green tea prevents LDL particles from becoming oxidized. This reduces the risk of heart disease.
Supports skin health
Green tea is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are a product of sun exposure, pollution, and aging. They cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which keeps skin firm and youthful.
Green tea catechin also protects against UV radiation. While it doesn’t replace sunscreen, it provides an extra layer of protection, which is especially useful for people with very sensitive skin.
Regulates blood sugar
Green tea extract improves insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar by allowing cells to take up glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. EGCG helps cells respond better to insulin, which enhances its effectiveness at lowering blood sugar levels.
Green tea also slows the absorption of glucose from foods in the digestive tract. This leads to more gradual increases in blood sugar levels rather than sharp spikes.
There are deep and precise brewing techniques for each type of green tea. Carefully following these techniques ensures that the tea releases its full flavor and health benefits. Below is a guide on how to use some of these types of green tea:
Sencha
Use water at 160°F to 180°F (70°C to 80°C) to brew sencha. This is to prevent bitterness since boiling water will extract too many tannins. Steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Use 1 teaspoon of sencha per 6 ounces of water. Increase steeping time slightly for subsequent infusions.
Jasmine green tea
Keep the water temperature at 160°F to 180°F (70°C to 80°C). Steep for 2 to 3 minutes using 1 teaspoon per 6 ounces of water.
Matcha green tea
Prepare Matcha by sifting 1 teaspoon (around 2 grams) of Matcha powder into a bowl. Add 2 ounces of hot water at 160°F to 180°F (70°C to 80°C) to the bowl. Whisk the mixture in a circular motion until it becomes frothy and well combined. Add more water to taste if the drink is too strong and thick.
Gyokuro green tea
Use very low temperatures of around 140°F to 158°F (60°C to 70°C) to brew Gyokuro to preserve its sweet, delicate flavor. Steep for 2 to 3 minutes using 1 teaspoon per 6 ounces of water.
Longjing green tea
Use water at 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 95°C). Steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Longjing brews best in multiple short steeps.
Leafy pre-constructed drinks
To enjoy leafy pre-constructed green tea drinks, simply and gently shake the bottle to redistribute the tea leaves. Then carefully pour the tea into a glass to separate it from the leaves. The glass also gives a better visual appreciation of the drink.
Tea- infused food
Consider adding other flavor elements to tea-infused foods. They can be herbs, sauces, or spices that complement the green tea. This balances its strong, sometimes bitter, and vegetal taste.
Proper storage of premium green tea is key to preserving its delicate flavors, aromas, and health benefits. Below is a guide on how to store different green teas:
Airtight containers
Always store green tea in an airtight container. This limits its exposure to air, which causes oxidation and spoils the tea. Use opaque containers that block light. Oily or substrate teas like Jasmine and roasted Gyokuro are best stored in glass jars. All other types should be kept in aluminum, tin, ceramic, or dark glass jars.
Cooling
Keep green tea at a cool and stable temperature. Ideally, store it in the refrigerator or a wine cooler set at 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C). Avoid taking the tea in and out of the fridge. This causes condensation inside the container, which damages the tea leaves.
Humidity control
Maintain humidity levels below 5% as green tea absorbs moisture, leading to spoilage. Use silica gel packets or tea caddies with built-in desiccants to keep tea leaves dry. Do not store green tea in the same container as food or spices. The latter leave a residue that taints the tea's delicate flavor.
Original packaging
Leave the tea in its original packaging if it comes in a foil or ziplock pouch with an airtight seal. This requires little additional effort to keep the tea fresh. For whisked Matcha, store it in a specialized airtight canister designed to minimize exposure to air and light.
Separation
Keep different varieties of green tea separated from each other. Mixing teas can lead to the blending of aromas and flavors, which makes the tea taste flat and bland. This is especially important for pre-scented Jasmine tea, which is very pungent and can easily transfer its scent to other teas.
Green tea is simply tea that is minimally processed and remains in its natural state to preserve its nutrients. On the other hand, Jasmine green tea is a grounded green tea that has been scented or steeped with jasmine blossoms. This gives it a sweet, floral aroma and flavor.
The main difference between green tea and black tea is in the oxidation process. Green tea leaves are quickly steamed or pan-fried to prevent oxidation. This preserves their green color, fresh flavor, and health benefits. On the other hand, black tea leaves are fully oxidized, giving them a dark color, rich flavor, and higher caffeine content.
The best time to drink green tea is in the morning. This allows one to optimize its benefits for mental clarity and physical energy. It can also be taken in the afternoon to help avoid lulls in energy and focus and to prevent one from feeling sluggish or sleepy.
Habitually drinking green tea every day offers multiple health benefits such as improved brain function, enhanced weight loss, and reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. This is because green tea contains antioxidants that are essential for overall health and well-being.
It is generally safe to drink 3 to 5 cups (710 to 1,190 mL) of green tea per day. This amount allows one to reap the many health benefits of green tea without the adverse effects that come with its high caffeine content.
