All green teas originate from the same species, the Camelia Sinensis. To make green tea, the fresh tea leaves are briefly cooked using either steam or dry heat. This process fixes the green colors and fresh flavors. The Chinese green teas are more mellow and smooth, while the Japanese green teas have the heft of rich, vegetal flavors, which comes from preservation of the chlorophyll.The general rule is that a cup of green tea contains about one-third as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. Green tea production methods vary but the focus is always to fix the green color. Thus, green teas are not oxidized. We carefully select our green teas from the best tea leaf fields in China and Japan. To learn more, check out Green Tea 101.
This is where it (tea) all started! So the traditions of tea are the deepest and the choice of delicious teas are the most diverse.
We source the best type of green tea: either the light and sweet bancha, or more strongly flavored gunpowder or chun mee – then add flavors, flowers and other botanicals to create beautiful and exotic green tea blends.
Green teas come from all over the place, like South Korean & Colombia.
The Japanese have been drinking green teas for many centuries. As tea was popularized in 1800s, many different teas developed. We offer a wide selection of these teas, some that are rarely seen outside of Japan.
Green teas are the most ancient of all tea varieties. Originally from China, they were also transplanted to Japan many centuries ago. While China has been producing tea for over five thousand years, the Japanese have made the tea in earnest for just the last five hundred. For thousands of years, green tea leaves were used as currency, as they were so valued within the culture.
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Green teas vary on their optimal brewing temperature based on their origin. Japanese green tea leaves are the most delicate and taste best when brewed at 160° F. Chinese green tea leaves can take a little more heat at 175° F. If you bring your water to the boiling point, you will scorch the tea, ruining the flavor. You can use electric water-dispensing pots to heat water to exact temperatures, or you can insert instant-read thermometers to check water temperature prior to pouring over your green tea leaves.
Green tea leaves should steep for at least 1-3 minutes, depending on the blend and origin. Japanese green teas often only need a minute or so to steep. However, each batch and each drinker’s palate will dictate the proper brewing time. Observing both the tea liquor and body will help you gauge whether you have brewed your tea for the correct amount of time.
If you’re looking for a stronger cup of tea, it’s best to increase the amount of tea used instead of increasing the brewing time.
