Tea Reading: Green Tea

I’ve created the series ‘Tea Readings’ as a way to understand the different types of tea, they’re unique preparation as well as the origins of these tea types. So please join me on my discovery as I uncover all there is to know about white, green, black and other teas! Please give a warm, (but not too hot!) welcome to our first visitor- Green tea!

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What is Green Tea?
The birth of green tea is complex with varying and often conflicting dates often found, however, upon research for this post, I have tended to find that the earliest known origins of tea occurred in 2737 BCE in China by the Chinese Emperor Shen Neng. However, it wasn’t until the 8^th century that the process of steaming leaves became known which helped to minimise the oxidisation of the tea leaves, preventing a bitter taste but also a darker colour of the brew. During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) tea began to become popular in Japan, where green tea underwent a different process to become known as sencha. Green tea has become a popular drink not just in China and Japan, with flavoured varieties also available for those who like to try something new or are not used to a ‘grassy’ flavour in their tea.

Green tea is produced from the tender top leaves of varieties of the Camellia sinensis shrub (see pic below), and undertakes different names depending on its region. In Japan, green tea is known as sencha. Green tea, once harvested is dried, and depending on whether the tea is of Chinese origin or Japanese origin, will either be pan-fried to further dry the leaves or steamed. Green tea, unlike black tea or oolong does not undergo oxidisation, resulting in a lighter coloured tea. Green tea also has a lower level of caffeine than black tea and of course coffee.

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Once the green tea has been dried, the leaves will be shaped or rolled to create unique shapes as well as to assist in the release of flavour when the tea is finally brewed. This process can be done by hand or more commonly by machinery. The tea may undergo a second drying process to minimise too much moisture being retained by the leaves resulting in the potential for mouldy tea!

How to Brew Green Tea

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As green tea undergoes fewer processes than black tea, it needs to be brewed at a lower temperature to minimise the chance of burning the leaves. If the leaves are burnt during the brewing process, a bitter taste throughout the tea will occur. As a result, the ideal temperature for brewing green tea is 80°C or 176F. I have often gone below this to say 75°C or 167F and my tea has not suffered- it’s also great if you’re in a hurry for your green tea fix as it is at a temperature that you can almost drink straight away!

The length of brewing time depends upon individual taste as well as the nature of the green tea being brewed. I typically like to brew my green tea between 2 to 3 minutes, but you can of course do it for more or less- it’s really about finding out how strong you like your green tea! Note: you may also experience a bitter taste if you over brew your green tea. A bitter taste may also occur if you add too much green to your infuser.

Green tea can be brewed more traditionally by using clay pots, whereby after a few years of use by just pouring hot water into the pot and serving can create a tea flavour. However, a simple cup infuser or tea pot is also suitable. I generally use a tea infuser which sits in my cup (or mug!) and I can easily remove it once I have brewed my green tea.

Recommendations
I understand that everyone’s cup of (green) tea is different, so below are a range of green teas that can be tried by anyone, no matter what your budget, level of tea addiction or understanding of tea is! Please note these are NOT affiliate links, I have made the links to save you time so you can enjoy your tea more! Teas in italics are teas available in tea bags only.

Dilmah
Australia
Exceptional Fragrant Jasmine Green Tea
Dilmah Green Tea
Jasmine Petals Green Tea
Moroccan Mint Green Tea

UK
Ceylon Green Tea
Jasmine Petals Green Tea

USA
Ceylon Green Tea
Fragrant Jasmine Green Tea
Gentle Minty Green Tea
Jasmine Petals Green Tea
Moroccan Mint Green Tea

Lipton
Australia
Green Tea
Green Mint Tea
Green Jasmine Petal

USA
Pure Green Tea
Decaffeinated Green Tea
Mixed Berry Green Tea

Tea Pigs
Australia
Mao Feng Green Tea
Popcorn Tea

UK
Green Tea with Mint
Jasmine Pearls
Mao Feng Green Tea
Popcorn Tea

USA
Green Tea with Mint
Jasmine Pearls
Mao Feng
Green Tea
Popcorn Tea

Tetley
Australia
Natural Green Tea
Decaffeinated Green Tea

UK
Pure Green Tea
Decaffeinated Green Tea
Green Tea Raspberry and Pomegranate
Green Tea Peach and Apricot

USA
Green Tea
Decaffeinated Green Tea

Twinings
Australia
Pure Green Tea