Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. Unlike black tea and oolong, green tea is processed to limit oxidation, which helps preserve its fresh character, lighter body, and green to yellow liquor. It naturally contains polyphenols, including catechins, as well as caffeine.

What Makes Green Tea Special

Green tea is prized for its clean taste profile, which can range from sweet and grassy to nutty, vegetal, marine, or softly floral depending on origin, cultivar, harvest season, and processing style. Because the leaves are steamed or pan fired soon after picking, producers aim to preserve freshness rather than build the deeper oxidized notes found in darker teas.

Green Tea Curation Process

Our green tea curation process starts with leaf quality. Tea producers generally harvest the tender top growth, and only the top two leaves and a bud are typically plucked. After harvest, the leaf is taken for processing, where green tea is heated quickly to prevent oxidation, then rolled or shaped and dried. In practical terms, good curation means choosing teas for freshness, leaf integrity, aroma, liquor clarity, and balance in the cup.

A thoughtful green tea collection usually includes more than one style. Some teas are selected for delicate everyday drinking, others for umami depth, toasted notes, or ceremonial use. Tasters commonly assess the dry leaf, the infused leaf, the colour of the liquor, and the overall sensory quality before a tea is approved.

Harvesting and Production

Tea grows best in warm, humid regions with well drained, acidic soil, and can be cultivated from sea level to high elevations. Producers train tea bushes low for easier plucking, and the first harvests only begin after several years of growth and pruning. Tea bushes are often plucked every 7 to 14 days depending on climate and altitude.

Once harvested, green tea is processed differently from black tea. Green tea leaves are steamed or pan fried and dried, while reduced oxidation is what helps green tea keep its fresher, brighter style.

Health Benefits

Green tea is often associated with antioxidants because it contains polyphenols, especially catechins. Research has explored possible links between green tea and heart health, cholesterol, weight management, and mental alertness, but the evidence is mixed and not definitive for most claims.

What the evidence supports most carefully is a modest rather than dramatic benefit. Green tea may contribute to small improvements in weight management and cholesterol levels, while its caffeine content may help support alertness and focus.

Green tea also contains caffeine, so many people experience it as a gentle lift in energy and concentration. Normal brewed green tea is generally considered safe for most adults when enjoyed in moderation.

Steeping Temperature and Brewing Guide

For most green teas, a good starting point is 80°C for 1 to 3 minutes. Using water that is too hot can make the cup taste bitter or overly astringent, while a shorter steep with gentler heat usually keeps the liquor smoother and sweeter.

A simple brewing ratio is one teaspoon of loose leaf or one tea bag per cup of about 180 ml of water. Freshly drawn water is usually recommended, and preheating the teapot or cup can help with consistency.

For iced green tea, brew it slightly stronger, then dilute over ice. This helps preserve flavour once the tea is chilled.

Condiment Options

Green tea is often enjoyed plain, especially when you want to appreciate the leaf’s natural sweetness, umami, or grassy freshness. For a softer everyday serve, many people add lemon, mint, honey, ginger, or a slice of peach. These additions can brighten the cup without overwhelming it.

Milk is usually less common with green tea than with black tea because it can mute the lighter aromas. Sweeter green tea styles or matcha based drinks can work well with milk or plant based alternatives, but delicate loose leaf greens are usually better without them.

For food pairings, green tea works especially well with citrus, rice dishes, salads, steamed vegetables, sushi, mild cheeses, and lightly sweet pastries. Toasted green teas can also pair nicely with nuts and roasted flavours.

Curiosities

All true teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The main differences between green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong come mainly from how the leaf is processed after harvest, not from entirely different plants.

Tea has a long cultural history, and the tea plant was first cultivated in China thousands of years ago. One of the most famous legends says tea was discovered when leaves blew into hot water prepared for the Chinese emperor Shen Nung.

Matcha is one of the most distinctive green tea styles because the leaf is processed into a fine powder rather than infused and discarded. That changes both texture and intensity, making it richer, more concentrated in flavour, and visually vivid.

FAQ

Is green tea caffeinated?

Yes. Green tea naturally contains caffeine, though the level can vary by style, leaf, and preparation.

Is green tea healthier than black tea?

Both come from the same plant and both contain beneficial plant compounds. Green tea is often highlighted for catechins, but both can be part of a healthy diet.

Why does green tea sometimes taste bitter?

The most common reasons are water that is too hot, steeping for too long, or using too much leaf for the amount of water. A good starting point is 80°C for 1 to 3 minutes.

Can I drink green tea every day?

For most adults, brewed green tea is generally suitable for daily enjoyment in moderation.

Does green tea help with weight loss?

It may offer a modest benefit, but it should not be presented as a dramatic weight loss solution.

Should I add sugar, honey, or lemon?

That depends on the style of green tea and your taste. Delicate premium leaves are often best plain, while everyday green tea can work nicely with honey, lemon, mint, or ginger.

What is the best water temperature for green tea?

A reliable starting point is 80°C.

Is green tea the same as matcha?

Matcha is a type of green tea, but not all green tea is matcha. Matcha is made from specially processed leaves that are ground into powder, so you consume the leaf itself rather than just the infusion.