The British population is embracing green tea. A cup of Earl Grey is no longer the preferred choice in our country. With a rapidly growing interest in fine foods, superfoods and healthy eating, we are steering away from the old classics and venturing into new tea territory.
Green teas are the new black...
But with so many green teas to choose from, how do you find the right green tea for you? With this guide, you will be able find the perfect green tea for you.
Let us first explore the history of green tea and find out why it has become so popular in the UK.
Green tea is made from the same Camellia Sinensis leaves that are used for the production of black, oolong and Pu-Erh teas. The difference comes from the treatment of the plants during growth and under post-harvest processing.
Withering, oxidation and fermentation turn the Camellia Sinensis leaves into the black teas that we have been consuming in Britain for centuries. So essentially, green tea is just a less processed version of black tea.
However, the flavours of a green tea brew, as well as its health benefits, are very different from that of black tea. For instance, green tea is famously high in healthy antioxidants. The Japanese Matcha green tea powder is exceptionally high in the antioxidant EGCG, which can help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by clearing up blocked arteries.
Green tea originated in China, however, the production of green tea has spread through Asia and other parts of the world. China and Japan are historically the largest consumers and producers of green tea. Tea was introduced to Japan in the 9th Century by Buddhist monks who brought back the beverage from travels to China. Since then, green tea has become an integral part of Japanese culture and Japanese cuisine.
‘The Way of Tea’ - the Japanese tea ceremony - was perfected by the tea master Sen no Rikyu who introduced the principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity into the process of brewing tea. Japanese tea ceremonies are a time for peace, reflection, good health and relaxation.
In the crowded rush of modern-day life in Britain, many people are finding enjoyment in the peace and tranquillity of brewing green tea. Some say that brewing and consuming a pot of high-quality green tea allows them to take some much needed “me time” and a small breather from the stresses of everyday life.
The flavours of green tea are generally mild and tend to have fresh and grassy notes, with sweet notes.
Explore the teas below to find the perfect green tea for your needs.
Chinese Green Teas
Anji Bai Cha - No. 72
This rare tea is of the utmost, exquisite quality. Our Anji Bai Cha is a green tea produced in Anji, Zhejiang Province of China. It is harvested in early spring, during a very short harvesting period of three weeks.
Not unlike white teas, our Anji Bai Cha goes through very little processing. The thin, long tender buds are carefully handpicked and pan dried. It produces a very clean and light liquor, with a hint of pale green. The infusion is refreshingly delicate and soothing, but imparts a complex flavour with mellow and beautifully mild lemon notes and a subtle, lingering sweet finish.
This delicate tea is rich in the healthy antioxidant theanine.
Fujian Mao Feng - No. 60
This delicious Mao Feng green tea is celebrated for its gloriously downy, slightly twisted, leaf buds, which impart a wonderfully smooth and distinct flavour to offer the grandest of daytime teas.
Exceptionally rich in antioxidants, our delicious version of this famous Chinese green tea bestows a gorgeous jade-green cup with a flowery, aromatic fragrance and refreshing taste that lingers beautifully on the tongue.
Imparting a less grassy taste than a typical green tea, Mao Feng is favoured by those who do not usually like green teas.
Organic Dragon Well No. 54 & Supreme Dragon Well No. 56
Dragon Well tea is a variety of pan-fried green teas that has a distinctive, emerald-green, flat leaf. It produces a clear yellow infusion with a pine-green hue, with a fresh aroma with notes of toasted grass. Its flavours are distinctive, delicate and mellow with a sweet finish.
With extraordinarily high levels of the natural antioxidant ‘catechin’, vitamin C and amino acids, this king of teas provides the perfect pick-me-up at any time of the day.
Our Dragon Well teas grow in Hangzhou, West Lake Region, Zhejiang Province, China.
Menthos Gunpowder - No.67
Our Menthos Green Tea is made with high-quality Chinese gunpowder, the finest American mint and an intense natural crisp mint. Aromatic and lively, this exciting blend offers an unparalleled aroma, with crisp, fresh flavours to invigorate. This popular classic is ideal for an iced tea on hot days.
Floral Chinese Green Tea
Flowering Teas
This tea is the epitome of self-indulgence. It is a true treat for all the sense and appeals to those who love adventure and magic.
Wonderfully aromatic, delicious to the palate and stunning to observe, flowering teas recall their natural spring blooming, and, just as in nature, there is wide range of flowers and colours to enjoy.
Each bundle of flowering tea consists of dried silver needle green tea leaves, wrapped around one or more dried flowers which are skilfully bound to rise and bloom in your teapot. They are hand-made by skilled Chinese tea artisans and produce a delicately aromatic and flavourful cup of tea. When steeped, the bundle expands and unfurls in a process that emulates a blooming flower.
Flowers commonly used in flowering teas include chrysanthemum, jasmine, lily, hibiscus, Osmanthus, rosebud.
Made for use in a glass teapot, flowering tea is as much a joy to observe as it is to drink.
Each bundle offers you a different viewing and flavour experience, making it a wonderful conversation piece for tea with friends and a great topic for your next Instagram video.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls No. 55
Jasmine Dragon Pearls is an artisan Chinese tea, made from luxury green tea leaves and Jasmine flowers. To create the highest quality tea pearls, fresh jasmine petals and tea leaves are layered until the jasmine scent is fully merged with the tea leaves. After the flowers are removed, each pearl is then created by hand rolling specially plucked long silver velvety shoots into little tea balls which are then naturally scented with fresh, aromatic jasmine flowers. When infused in hot water, the pearls unfurl, producing an exquisite infusion the colour of champagne, with an intense floral aroma. The tea imparts an intense, floral and smooth flavour with a fresh, spring undertone.
Our Jasmine Dragon Pearls tea grows in the Fujian Province in China.
Jasmine Green Tea - No. 53
Natural Jasmine Green tea is made by mixing Jasmine flowers with Chinese Green Tea, until the oils of the flowers have been absorbed into the tea leaves. The tea is then baked gently in an oven. The process is repeated several times to ensure a strong fragrance.
The infusion is a clear yellow with green hue, with well-balanced, mild and refreshing flavours and an uplifting, floral aroma.
Japanese Green Teas
Japanese Sencha - No. 51 and Supreme Japanese Sencha - No. 69
Sencha is the most popular tea in Japan, representing about 80 percent of Japanese tea production. The Japanese enjoy Sencha hot in the cooler months, and chilled during summer.
Our Sencha tea hails from Ise Bay, a region that has produced high-quality teas for over 800 years. After picking, the leaves are lightly steamed to prevent oxidation, then rolled, shaped and dried, created the distinctive thin, cylindrical leaves. The rolled leaves are then dried. Flavours vary with the season, with the First Flush Spring tea considered to be finest version.
The dry leaf has a distinctively sweet and fresh aroma with a subtle hint of grassy meadow and fresh spring air.
Once brewed, the infusion is a pale yellow-green, with a grassy and sweet flavour with a light, umami astringency.
Supreme Japanese Genmaicha - No. 52
Sourced from Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture, Japan, this enticing tea is made with premium quality Sencha, roasted rice grains and popcorn.
In ancient Japan, tea was a luxury commodity. Therefore, the Japanese mixed roasted rice with Sencha green tea and created this “People’s Tea”, a blend that is now known as Genmaicha. Genmaicha was consumed by Buddhist during periods of fasting and by those who did not have regular access to food. Today, it is a luxurious and distinctive delicacy.
The tea has a mild flavour, combining the fresh grassy notes of green tea with nutty notes of roasted rice.
Japanese Houjicha - No. 65
This wonderful green tea is carefully produced by gently roasting the leaves over high heat.
Traditionally made from the later harvests, , after the first and second flush, the maturity of the leaves offer a wonderful reddish-brown infusion, which gives way to the most refreshing taste and a deeply rich, nutty aroma.
Houjicha has less astringency and caffeine, making it the perfect, relaxing after-dinner drink.
Matcha Green Tea Powder
Only the finest, shade grown Camellia Sinensis leaves are used for the production of our Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder.
Matcha is made from the shade-grown tea leaves that are also used to make Gyokuro. In order to prevent direct sunlight, the tea bushes are covered circa three weeks before harvest. This slows down growth, and causes the production of healthy amino acids. As a result of this treatment, the fine quality Matcha develops a vibrantly green colour.
Only the finest tea buds are handpicked for use in Matcha production. The buds are stone-ground to a fine powder through the use of specially designed granite stone mills. It can take up to one hour to grind 30 grams of Matcha.
Our exquisite Matcha green teas are meticulously crafted by exceptionally talented Japanese tea experts from the revered tea district of Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Farmers in Ise Bay have been producing tea for over 800 years and have passed down their ancient knowledge from generation to generation since the 13th century.
Matcha tea has become immensely popular in recent years because of its proven health benefits, fresh flavour and intoxicating vibrant green colour.
Matcha tea is dominated by healthy amino acids, which impart and beautifully fresh umami flavour. The ceremonial grade Matcha have an intense sweetness and a much deeper flavour than standard grade Matcha powders.
Standard and culinary Matcha are very popular for use in cooking - mainly to make cakes, sweets and ice cream.
- Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder - No. 58
- Organic Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder - No. 66
- Organic Premium Grade Matcha Green Tea Powder - No. 75
- Standard Grade Matcha Green Tea Powder (Cooking Grade) - No. 76
Fruity Green Teas
Sencha & Goji Berry Green Tea Blend - No. 57
This vibrant green Sencha blend is a supreme taste sensation.
With a masterful and perfectly balanced combination of fine, golden Sencha leaves, sweet juicy goji berries, tangy pomegranate seeds and lemongrass, this exquisite tea imparts a wonderfully refreshing and distinctive flavour.
Bursting with high levels of healthy antioxidants and rich in vitamins, this exceptional blend will revitalise your senses and boost your immune system.
With a sweet lingering, flavoursome taste, you will find it equally delicious taken hot or cold.
White Teas
White Peony Supreme - No. 47
This Supreme White Peony is grown in the home of white tea, Fujian, China. The tea is made from the finest and most delicate spring buds.
This deliciously sweet and mellow tea is named after the delicate petals of the White Peony and is characterised by its tender, downy–white leaves. The delicate buds are naturally withered by the sun before they open.
Offering a golden, bright liquor this exquisite white tea imparts a plush, fruity flavour with a smooth, flowery aroma.
Acclaimed for being rich in antioxidants, and low in caffeine, this tea is perfect for a calming evening drink.
Rare Ceylon Silver Tips - No. 50
This beautiful white tea grows in the Imboolpittiya Estate, located in the central hills of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), whose Silver Tips are renowned for their outstanding and unrivalled quality.
Made from carefully handpicked, single, unopened buds that are delicately sun-dried in the misty hills of Ceylon. The velvety silver-lined leaves contain a very high level of polyphenols and antioxidant, and are low in caffeine.
The pale yellow infusion is aromatic, with delicate flavours of pine & honey for a soothing cup.
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