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Updated: Apr. 25, 2012
Green tea is produced in many different regions. Green tea is especially widely produced and consumed in China. In Japan, almost all tea consumed is green tea, and Japan is also famous for its unique and sometimes peculiar styles of green tea. China tends to produce pan-fired green teas, whereas Japan tends to produce steamed varieties, although there are exceptions to both these rules. Virtually every region that produces tea produces some green tea, although outside of southeast Asia, green tea constitutes only a tiny portion of total production. However, this production has been increasing as green tea increases in popularity, due in large part to purported health benefits.
Because of its diversity, the flavor and aroma of green teas are difficult to describe in general terms. Many green teas have a more vegetal aroma, with grassy or herbaceous tones. Some of the pan-fired green teas have a smoky aroma, and some steamed teas have an aroma suggestive of seaweed.
Green Tea
Wikipedia: Green_tea | Wikicha: Green_Tea | Teaviews: green-teaUpdated: Apr. 25, 2012
About Green Tea
Green tea is a type of tea which has not been allowed to oxidize (unlike black and oolong teas). During its production, green tea is heated, usually by steaming or pan-firing, which destroys the enzymes that lead to oxidation and preserve the green color of the tea leaf. This is why white tea, which is less processed than green tea, can sometimes have a darker leaf color. This same process also preserves the vitamin C content of the tea leaf, making green tea the only type of tea with appreciable vitamin C levels.
Green tea is produced in many different regions. Green tea is especially widely produced and consumed in China. In Japan, almost all tea consumed is green tea, and Japan is also famous for its unique and sometimes peculiar styles of green tea. China tends to produce pan-fired green teas, whereas Japan tends to produce steamed varieties, although there are exceptions to both these rules. Virtually every region that produces tea produces some green tea, although outside of southeast Asia, green tea constitutes only a tiny portion of total production. However, this production has been increasing as green tea increases in popularity, due in large part to purported health benefits.
Because of its diversity, the flavor and aroma of green teas are difficult to describe in general terms. Many green teas have a more vegetal aroma, with grassy or herbaceous tones. Some of the pan-fired green teas have a smoky aroma, and some steamed teas have an aroma suggestive of seaweed.
Brewing green tea: water temperature
In contrast to black tea, which usually tastes best when brewed with boiling water, many green teas taste best when brewed with water substantially below the boiling point, ranging from 160-180F (71-82C). Our pages about brewing temperature for tea and brewing tea go into more depth on this topic.Caffeine content of green tea
Many websites and other sources claim that green tea has less caffeine than black tea. This is not necessarily true; the caffeine content of teas varies widely both between different types of green tea and between different types of black tea. Both green and black tea can be higher or lower in caffeine.Other green "tea", herbal teas processed similarly to green tea
The processes involved in the production of green tea have also recently been extended to herbal teas--teas made out of plants other than the tea plant. Examples are green rooibos and honeybush. Green yerba maté, however, is not produced similarly to green tea--that term refers simply to the unroasted form.Further Reading:
1. U. Maryland's Reference on Uses of Green Tea in Complementary Medicine - Well-referenced with numerous citations to recent scientific studies.
Varieties, Kinds, or Types of Green Tea
Best Green Tea
The notion of the "best" Green Tea is subjective, because different people have different tastes. We present the most often-rated and highest-rated teas in this category, and allow you to draw your own conclusions.
Most Often-Rated Teas: China Green Tips
85 5 Ratings  Tamayokucha
9 4 Ratings  Lungching Green Tea
92 3 Ratings | Top-Rated Teas:Lungching Green Tea
92 3 Ratings China Green Tips
85 5 Ratings  Gunpowder Green Tea - Temple of Heaven
46 3 Ratings |
