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Just like black tea, green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. Where green tea differs from black tea is that it undergoes minimal oxidation during processing, preserving its natural colour and flavour, Unlike black tea, which is fully oxidised.
Green Tea is typically grown in China or Japan, with both cultures having their own unique cultivation and processing methods, resulting in the distinctive teas you may be familiar with.
Read on to learn more about the differences between Chinese and Japanese Green Teas!
Chinese Green Tea
Chinese green teas hold rich history and diverse regional varieties, offer a captivating journey through centuries-old tea culture. From the famed Lung Ching tea of Hangzhou to the floral Buddha’s Tears, fragranced with Jasmine flowers, Chinese green teas reflect the terroir of their respective growing regions and the artistry of skilled tea masters.
Generally pan roasted to stop oxidation, Chinese green teas boast a wide range of flavours, from nutty and vegetal to sweet and floral, depending on the cultivar and processing methods used.
If you’re looking to try a Chinese Green Tea, our Gunpowder Green Tea is our most popular Chinese green tea. If you’re looking for something with a pop of floral flavour, we stock a range of Jasmine infused green teas, including Jasmine Monkey King and Jasmine Chung Feng Tea.
Jasmine Monkey King
A Chinese Green Tea flavoured with Jasmine
Japanese Sencha
A traditional Japanese Sencha Tea
Japanese Green Tea
In Japan, green tea holds a revered place in daily life and traditional tea ceremonies, known as chanoyu or Chado. Japanese green teas, such as Sencha, Matcha, and Gyokuro, are characterised by their vibrant green colour, umami-rich flavour, and meticulous cultivation and processing techniques.
Steamed to preserve freshness and flavour, Japanese green teas offer a smooth, vegetal taste with hints of seaweed and grass.
Matcha, a powdered green tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony, imparts a creamy texture and intense flavour that envelops the palate with each sip.
If you’re looking to try a Japanese green tea for the first time, our Sencha Tea is an approachable entry into the category, with a slightly sweet and vegetal taste.
Green teas are as vast and varied as the landscapes from which it hails. Chinese and Japanese green teas, each with their own distinct characteristics and cultural significance, offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of tea traditions around the world.
Whether you prefer the nuanced flavours of Chinese Lung Ching or the clean and vegetal taste of Japanese sencha, we hope you give the wonderful world of green teas a try!
