5 Things You Should Know About Green Tea - Teaspoon Tea Co

5 Things You Should Know About Green Tea

Jul 08, 2024Pamela Merryweather

Green Tea: A Simple Guide for New Drinkers

If you're curious about green tea, you're in the right place! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about green tea—how it’s made, how to brew it, and why it's so popular today.

1. How is Green Tea Made?

Green tea is all about freshness. To preserve its flavour, the leaves are picked and processed the same day. Any delay can cause the leaves to lose their delicate taste.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how green tea is made:

  • Picked and cooled: Once harvested, the tea leaves are laid out to cool and stay fresh.
  • Steaming: The leaves are quickly steamed, which stops oxidation. This helps maintain their signature green colour and keeps them from turning brown.
  • Rolling: After steaming, the leaves still hold some moisture. They’re rolled repeatedly to remove the water. The number of rollings depends on the type of green tea, ensuring the moisture is just right.
  • Drying: Finally, the leaves are thoroughly dried, ready to deliver a fresh, vibrant flavour in your cup.

2. How to Make the Perfect Cup of Green Tea

Green tea has a variety of flavours—light, floral, grassy, mellow, or even astringent. Finding the right one for you is all about experimenting, so don't be afraid to try different varieties.

Here’s a quick guide for brewing green tea:

  • Use 1 teaspoon of tea per person: Measure out your tea leaves.
  • Water temperature matters: Pour over water that’s just below boiling (about 80°C/175°F). Using water that's too hot can make the tea taste bitter.
  • Infuse for 2 minutes: This allows the leaves to release their full flavour without becoming overpowering.
  • Remove the infuser: After 2 minutes, take the tea out to prevent it from tasting dry or bitter.
  • Enjoy pure: Green tea is best enjoyed without milk or sugar, letting its natural flavours shine.

3. Flavoured or Plain Green Tea?

There’s a world of options when it comes to green tea. You can choose between plain or flavoured varieties, depending on your mood or taste preference.

  • Plain Green Tea: Offers a fresh, pure taste with subtle, grassy notes that highlight the natural tea leaves.
  • Flavoured Green Tea: If you’re after something more exciting, flavoured green teas blend the base leaves with fruits, herbs, or flowers to enhance the taste. These teas are perfect if you want something with a twist.

4. Where Does Green Tea Come From?

Green tea is primarily grown in China and Japan, and the method of processing greatly affects the taste:

  • Chinese Green Tea: Often pan-fried, resulting in a slightly roasted, earthy flavour.
  • Japanese Green Tea: Typically steamed, which gives the tea a fresh, grassy, and more vegetal taste.

Each region's unique process creates distinct flavours, so it's worth trying both to see which you prefer.

5. Who Will Love Green Tea?

Green tea is perfect if you enjoy your tea without milk and prefer something light and refreshing. Its grassy, mellow flavour is soothing, and it contains just the right amount of caffeine to give you a boost during the day without the jitters.

Plus, green tea is packed with antioxidants, which are known for their health benefits, making it a fantastic choice if you're looking to support a healthy lifestyle. 

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