The Art Of Fine Green Tea
Green tea has become increasingly popular across the globe for its light refreshing taste and reported health benefits. The two most skilled artisans when it comes to green tea are China and Japan.
Interestingly, China is the birthplace of green tea and all other teas. Over centuries, China has developed its methods for making fine green tea. Additionally, China is the top exporter of green tea worldwide.
On the other hand, Japanese tea production quantities pale in comparison to that of the Chinese. However, what Japan lacks in quantity, they more than make up for in quality. Japanese tea masters have perfected the art of making green tea over the years. Not only is green tea Japan’s favorite beverage, but green tea is also of great ritualistic importance in Japanese culture and philosophy.
A Difference In Method Makes Two Different Types Of Green Tea
Green tea’s natural flavor is preserved because it undergoes ‘fixation’ early in the production process. This process involves exposing the leaves to high temperatures. Fixation denatures (deactivates) most of the oxidation enzymes in the leaves and prevents green tea from being oxidized.
There are mainly two ways in which green tea is fixed. The Chinese pan-fry their tea leaves, while the Japanese use a steaming method. While both China and Japan produce high-quality green tea, this difference in method results in very different flavor profiles.
Chinese And Japanese Green Teas Taste Different
Chinese green teas generally taste lighter and nuttier. On the other hand, Japanese green teas are richer and have more of an umami flavor. Japanese green tea has also been reported to be much higher in antioxidants.
Additionally, different regions in China and Japan make vastly different types of green tea based on the weather, terrain, soil, and subtle variations in methods. As a result, there are over hundreds of different types of green tea.
In this article, we will look at the 10 most popular types of green tea from China and Japan.
Disclaimer: This post was written with the help of ChatGPT and Bard, but all content has been curated, heavily edited, and fact-checked by the author.
5 Chinese Green Tea Types:
Dragonwell (Longjing):
Dragonwell, or Longjing in Chinese, is one of the most celebrated Chinese green tea types. Authentic Dragonwell comes from Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. Its leaves are flat and broad with a distinct pointed shape.
Of all Chinese green tea types, Dragonwell is one of the richest in antioxidants. Therefore, it is sought after for its health benefits. This Chinese green tea is also known for its historical significance, having been enjoyed by emperors and dignitaries for centuries.
Dragonwell tea has a smooth, chestnut-like flavor with a gentle vegetal sweetness. Its aroma is often described as “chestnutty” and its liquor is pale green. Here’s an excellent guide to Longjing green tea with detailed brewing instructions!
Bi Luo Chun:
Bi Luo Chun, or “Green Snail Spring,” is a delicate green tea originating from Dongting Mountain in Jiangsu province. It’s known for its tightly rolled leaves that resemble snail spirals. The careful plucking of only the young leaves contributes to the tea’s characteristic freshness and vibrant taste.
The Bi Luo Chun has a distinctive fruity and floral aroma. This Chinese green tea type offers a mild, yet complex flavor with notes of apricot and a lingering sweetness. It tastes less roasted than Longjing and feels luxuriously thick in the mouth.
Gunpowder Tea (Zhu Cha):
Gunpowder tea is another popular Chinese green tea type. Its name comes from its tightly rolled leaf pellets that resemble gunpowder grains. This green tea is produced primarily in Zhejiang province.
The rolled leaves help preserve the tea’s freshness and flavor. When brewed, it yields a bold, bitter, and slightly smoky flavor with a hint of earthiness. Gunpowder tea is often used as the base for Moroccan mint tea, where its strong character harmonizes with the refreshing taste of mint.
Huangshan Maofeng:
Maofeng is one of the premium Chinese green tea types, famous since the Qing dynasty. Grown in the misty Yellow Mountains (Huangshan) of Anhui province, Huangshan Maofeng features slender, young leaves covered in fine white hairs (“maofeng” translates to “fur peak”).
This Chinese green tea is known for its delicate, slightly sweet flavor with floral undertones and a hint of chestnut. The careful plucking of the leaves, typically in early spring, contributes to its nuanced taste and aroma.
Liu An Gua Pian:
Liu An Gua Pian, or “Melon Seed” tea, is a unique Chinese green tea type. It’s made solely from the second leaf of the tea plant, excluding the buds. The leaves are large, flat, and resemble melon seeds, which is how the tea gets its name.
Hailing from Anhui province, this tea offers a vegetal and nutty flavor with a subtle sweetness. It has a refreshing character and a slightly thicker mouthfeel compared to other types of green teas.
5 Types Of Japanese Green Tea:
Matcha:
Matcha is a powdered green tea and is probably the most popular type of Japanese green tea. It’s made from shade-grown tea leaves that are finely ground into a vibrant green powder. Matcha is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, where its preparation is meticulous and artful.
When whisked with hot water, it creates a frothy, velvety, and slightly bitter beverage with a rich umami flavor. Matcha is known for its vibrant green color, unique preparation, and health benefits due to consuming the whole tea leaf. Matcha’s popularity in the West is also rising with its widespread use as a cooking ingredient.
Sencha:
Sencha is the most common and widely consumed type of green tea in Japan. It’s a daily staple for many Japanese people and is enjoyed hot or cold. It’s made from young leaves that are steamed and then rolled, shaped, and dried.
The resulting leaves are needle-shaped and produce a bright, grassy, and slightly astringent infusion. Sencha can vary in flavor based on the season of harvest and the specific cultivar used. There are also different types of sencha based on the duration of steaming during tea processing. Deep steamed sencha is called fukamushi, another popular type of green tea in Japan.
Gyokuro:
Gyokuro is often considered one of the finest types of Japanese green tea. This green tea is characterized by its dark pine-like needles. Gyokuro is typically more delicate and expensive than other types of green teas because of how it’s made.
The tea bushes are shaded for at least 21 days before harvest, which results in leaves with higher levels of chlorophyll and amino acids. This process gives Gyokuro its distinct umami-rich flavor and deep green color. The infusion has a sweet, vegetal character and a smooth, creamy texture.
Hojicha:
Hojicha is a roasted green tea that stands out for its unique flavor profile. It’s made by roasting Bancha (a type of green tea) leaves, stems, and twigs. The roasting process gives Hojicha its reddish-brown color, smoky aroma, and a toasty, nutty taste.
Unlike other types of Japanese green teas, Hojicha has a lower caffeine content due to the roasting process. It’s often enjoyed as a soothing and comforting tea.
Genmaicha:
Genmaicha, also known as “popcorn tea,” is a blend of green tea leaves and toasted rice grains. The combination creates a warm, nutty flavor with a hint of popcorn-like aroma.
Originally, Genmaicha was created to extend the tea supply and reduce costs, but it has become a beloved and unique type of Japanese green tea in its own right. The rice grains in the blend sometimes pop during roasting, resembling popcorn, hence the nickname.
Where To Buy Loose Leaf Green Tea
There are several online stores that claim to sell Chinese and Japanese green tea. However, they can often be of low quality or unethically sourced. Here are three very well-reviewed tea stores from where you can buy green tea online.
I must include a disclaimer that I have yet to try any of their teas myself and I do not receive any monetary compensation if you click on the links below.
But, I recommend them because I’ve read many greatly positive reviews about these sites. Moreover, these stores are very transparent about their sources and provide information on the local farmers who produce the tea. Overall, these tea stores have a strong value in providing quality tea while uplifting local Chinese and Japanese tea farmers.
- Nio Teas:
Nio Teas started its journey in 2016. They specialize in selling Japanese tea sourced directly, and they offer international shipping. Nio Teas prides itself on sharing stories of the local Japanese farmers and educating the world on tea.
You can also check out their blog and YouTube channel to learn more about their tea. Nio Teas also offers mega samplers where you can try a vast variety of Japanese teas. - Senbird Tea:
Senbird Tea also specializes in selling high-quality Japanese tea sourced directly from farmers. They also sell Japanese green tea candies and handcrafted Japanese teaware.
You can buy directly from their website or order on Amazon. They offer free shipping in the US on orders over $49 and ship internationally. - Seven Cups:
Seven Cups was founded by a passionate couple, Austin and Zhuping Hodge. Their humble beginnings go back to 2004 when they first started selling Chinese tea in a farmer’s market in Tuscon, Arizona.
Today, they sell tea in their own tea house and worldwide through their online store. The Seven Cups website boasts an impressive variety of Chinese green tea that is directly sourced from small Chinese farmers.
Keep Reading!
Stay tuned as we dive into the rich, vibrant world of green tea. Keep reading to explore more green tea types and to find the best places to buy them. Happy sipping!
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