Green tea

In many cultures, green tea is associated with the philosophy of peace, contemplation and meditation. It is drunk in silence to concentrate, relieve stress and find inner harmony.
The Chinese were the first to appreciate the taste and benefits of tea. Four thousand years ago, it was consumed exclusively by emperors and nobles. Later, all segments of the population could buy it.

Types and varieties of green tea

Tea is grown in many countries around the world, including China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal. Each of these countries has its own traditions and unique processing methods that affect the taste and aroma of the drink.
China is the birthplace of green tea, so it is not surprising that countless varieties are grown here, each of which has its own characteristics.
The most popular Chinese teas:

  • Longjing (Dragon Well) — tea of ​​the highest quality, has a delicate taste with notes of chestnuts and herbs. In the process of its manufacture, each leaf is twisted by hand, which allows it to acquire the perfect shape and preserve its taste.
  • Mou Lun (Mao Feng) — has a light and fresh taste with floral notes.
  • Jasmine Green Tea — jasmine flowers are added to it. The fragrant floral taste makes it unique.
  • Silver Needle. This variety is usually classified as white tea, but green tea methods are used in processing. It has a very delicate but rich taste.

Japanese green tea has a more intense taste due to special methods of processing the leaves. The most popular are: sencha, matcha, gyokuro. Taiwan is known for its oolong tea (semi-fermented tea), but there are other high-quality green teas. A feature of Taiwanese teas is their bright aroma and rich taste. For example, Te Guanyin has a floral aroma and a light taste with hints of fruit.
India is more associated with black teas, but green teas are also grown in this country.
In addition to traditional ones, there are also varieties of green tea with the addition of herbs and fruits. Such teas may include citrus, mint, jasmine, ginger, and other ingredients.
Green and black teas are made from the same plant, the only difference being the processing of the leaves. Unlike green tea, black tea undergoes a fermentation process, during which it loses some of its beneficial properties.

Production Technology

The process of producing green tea consists of several stages. The leaves are hand-picked, steamed, or roasted. Some types undergo partial fermentation for a more complex and rich flavor.
Differences in drying, roasting, steaming, and hand-processing methods give each variety a unique character and aroma.
Yes, teas made by drying will have a milder taste, while teas processed by steaming will be brighter and richer.
Chinese tea making technologies are among the oldest and most advanced in the world. Thanks to the use of traditional processing methods and innovations, Chinese tea has gained popularity in many countries.
One ​​of the main features of Chinese green tea is the use of quick drying methods (in the open air or in vats). This allows you to preserve many beneficial properties and vitamins, and also provides a fresh herbal taste. An important stage is to stop oxidation. To do this, Chinese manufacturers use several methods of processing the leaves: roasting over an open fire, steaming, or manual processing.

Choosing tea

To choose high-quality green tea, it is important to pay attention to several factors:
Packaging. It should be airtight, protected from moisture and light.
Size of the leaf. The larger it is, the better the coffee.
Manufacturer. Well-known brands usually guarantee the high quality of their product.
Ingredients. If you buy tea with additional ingredients (herbs, citrus fruits, etc.).

Characteristics

Green tea can have different forms of release: loose leaf/loose, in bags, granules, in the form of gels, or ready to consume.
To properly brew loose leaf tea, special utensils and time are required, while bagged tea can be quickly brewed in a cup.
Loose large-leaf tea is considered the best, as it retains a greater number of beneficial properties. For packaged tea, fine dust or leaf residues are used.
If stored properly, the shelf life of green tea is approximately 12 months.

Beneficial properties

Here is an incomplete list of beneficial components of green tea: polyphenols, catechins, vitamins C, E, caffeine, L-theanine.
Green tea has an antioxidant effect, improves metabolism, heart function, strengthens the immune system, helps fight infections, tones up, improves memory, concentration, mood, regulates sugar levels, and even improves the condition of teeth.
It is important to remember that tea consumption should be moderate, as excessive caffeine can cause side effects.

Brewing rules

The general recommendation is to brew tea with water at a temperature of 70-80°C, boiling water can make the taste bitter. The brewing time is usually 2-3 minutes. For the best result, it is worth using high-quality water, without chlorine.
Brewing Chinese green tea is an art that requires attention to detail. The drink can be brewed several times.
The optimal water temperature is 70-80°C.
The recommended proportion is 1 teaspoon (2-3 grams) of tea per 150 ml of water.
Place the tea leaves in a preheated teapot. Pour hot water (70-80°C) and leave for 1-2 minutes. After the first, very quick brewing, you can increase the time by 10-20 seconds with each subsequent one. Repeated brewing allows the tea to reveal all its taste qualities.

Storage

To preserve the quality and aroma, tea should be stored in a dark, dry place, but not in the refrigerator.

Where to buy quality green tea

You can buy green tea in specialized stores or online. Be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer, reviews and delivery terms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. How to brew green tea correctly?
    Pour water at a temperature of 70-80°C and let it brew for 2-3 minutes.
  1. How to choose high-quality green tea?
    Pay attention to the packaging, composition and shelf life.