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Green Tea
Step into the world of green tea, where every cup carries centuries of tradition. From Japan to China, India to Vietnam, a wealth of flavours awaits — each one ready to awaken your senses. Picture the delicate scent of jasmine weaving through notes of fresh strawberry, or cool mint brightened by a hint of warming ginger. Our curated selection takes you through an aromatic garden of precious leaves: from vibrant Sencha to velvety Matcha, and the intriguing depth of Gunpowder. A true journey for the palate — and one that comes with a natural richness in antioxidants. Loose-leaf, tea bag, or fine powder; organic or flavoured; hot or iced: green tea reinvents itself to suit every taste.
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The Green Tea Guide: From Leaf to Cup
Green tea, made from the unoxidised leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is defined by its distinctive colour and delicate flavour. From the Japanese tea ceremony to everyday afternoon breaks, it has become a true art of living, weaving tradition and modernity into every cup.
The Origins of Green Tea: A Thousand-Year Story
Green tea traces its roots to ancient China, the birthplace of this beloved drink. According to legend, Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea in 2737 BC when leaves from a tea plant drifted by chance into his bowl of hot water. Initially prized as a medicinal remedy, green tea gradually became the drink of choice across Asia.
In the 8th century, the Japanese Buddhist monk Saicho introduced green tea to Japan, where it quickly became a cornerstone of Japanese culture, giving rise to the celebrated tea ceremony. Over the centuries, green tea cultivation spread to other regions of Asia, including Vietnam, Korea and India, with each country developing its own varieties and production methods.
Today, while China remains the world's largest producer of green tea, this ancient drink is enjoyed and cultivated across the globe, a testament to its universal appeal and timeless allure.
The Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea offers a wealth of health benefits, which explains its growing popularity around the world.
Rich in Antioxidants
Green tea is a remarkable source of antioxidants, particularly catechins, which help protect our cells from oxidative stress. These compounds play a role acknowledged by food safety authorities worldwide.
A Light, Revitalizing Drink
Naturally low in calories when enjoyed plain, green tea fits beautifully into any wellness routine. It combines moderate caffeine with L-theanine for gentle, sustained vitality throughout the day, and can be savored without sugar or added fat, as a satisfying alternative to sweet drinks.
Further Health Benefits
Green tea is also valued for its calming properties: L-theanine, an amino acid it naturally contains, encourages relaxation without drowsiness. Enjoyed after a meal, it makes a pleasant digestive companion, and sipped throughout the day, it contributes to staying well hydrated. To start with a timeless Japanese classic, our organic Sencha is the perfect first cup. All our Senchas, Japanese, organic and flavored, are gathered in the Sencha tea category.
Storing and Brewing Green Tea
How to Store Your Tea
To keep your green tea fresh and aromatic, store it in an airtight container away from light, moisture, and strong odours. Avoid temperature fluctuations by keeping it somewhere cool and dry. For best results, enjoy your green tea within 6 to 12 months of purchase. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as humidity can affect the quality of the leaves.
How to Choose a Quality Green Tea
The Origin of the Leaves
The geographical origin of a green tea plays a key role in its character and flavour. China, the birthplace of green tea, offers a remarkable range of styles and tastes. Japan is celebrated for its umami-rich green teas and distinctive production methods. Korea produces delicate green teas with soft, herbaceous notes, while Vietnam offers fresh, lightly bitter profiles.
The Production Process
The quality of a green tea depends greatly on how it is made, from the picking and withering to the fixing, rolling, and drying. The finest leaves are hand-picked in spring and carefully processed to preserve all their beneficial properties.
Freshness and Aroma
Trust your senses when assessing a green tea. The leaves should be intact and range from bright to deep green. The scent should be fresh and vegetal, sometimes floral or fruity. To the touch, the leaves should feel dry and slightly crisp. The taste should be balanced, with no excessive bitterness.
Green Tea FAQ
How Much Tea Should I Use?
The ideal amount depends on the type of tea and your personal preferences. As a general guide, use 2 to 3 grams of leaves per 200 ml of water. For tea bags, one bag per cup is enough. Adjust the quantity to suit the strength you prefer.
Can green tea fit into a wellness routine?
Naturally low in calories when drunk plain, green tea sits comfortably within a balanced lifestyle. Its moderate caffeine content and richness in catechins make it a tonic, thirst-quenching drink, a fine alternative to sugary beverages as part of a varied diet and regular physical activity.
How many cups of green tea per day?
The optimal daily amount varies from person to person. Generally speaking, 3 to 5 cups a day is considered safe and beneficial. Those sensitive to caffeine may want to limit themselves to 2 to 3 cups, and it is advisable not to exceed 8 cups per day. If you are caffeine-sensitive, stick to the morning hours.
At what temperature should green tea be brewed?
Green tea is best enjoyed with water that is steaming but never boiling: between 70 and 80 °C depending on the variety. Japanese Sencha prefers a gentle 70 °C, while Chinese Gunpowder can handle 80 to 85 °C. Water that is too hot will scorch the leaves and bring out unwanted bitterness.
Loose-leaf or tea bags?
Loose-leaf green tea offers whole leaves that unfurl freely and release their full aromatic range: it is our preferred format for tea lovers. Tea bags remain convenient at the office or on the go. In either case, look for leaves of a good size, a sign of carefully harvested tea.
Which green tea should I start with?
For a first introduction, go for something gentle and approachable: a fresh, vegetal Sencha, a comforting Genmaicha with toasted rice notes, or a friendly mint green tea. These balanced profiles, free from sharp bitterness, are ideal for easing into the world of green tea.
Buy organic green tea online
Our shop offers a curated selection of organic loose-leaf green tea: fine Japanese teas (Sencha, Gyokuro, Kabusecha, Tai Ping Hou Kui), Chinese teas (Gunpowder, Long Jing, Mao Feng, Bancha), and flavoured green teas (jasmine, mint, fruit, ginger-lemon). All our green teas are certified organic, sourced directly from our partner producers and packaged with care to preserve their aroma.
Brewing green tea: temperatures and quantities
A great green tea is brewed at 70–80 °C (never boiling) for 2 to 3 minutes, using 4–5 g per 30 cl of hot water. Japanese Sencha prefers 70 °C; Chinese Gunpowder tolerates 80–85 °C. The leaves can be re-infused up to twice.
The benefits of organic green tea
Green tea is rich in catechins (notably EGCG), powerful antioxidants. It contains a moderate level of caffeine paired with relaxing L-theanine, offering a gentle lift without jitteriness. Perfect for the afternoon.
Our online green tea shop: commitment and expertise
At Thés & Traditions, every tea is selected directly from our partner producers, certified organic, and packaged in an airtight tin to preserve all the freshness of the leaves. We place the highest importance on leaf quality and full transparency about origin, so that every cup meets your expectations.
Choosing a great tea takes expertise: differences in provenance (Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam), harvest year, and production method all matter. Our French family-run house has been guiding you through these choices with passion and rigour since 2016.
Loose-leaf green tea varieties
Our selection covers all the great loose-leaf green tea varieties:
- Sencha (Japanese): the classic umami green, fresh and vegetal
- Gyokuro: a shaded grand cru with iodine and marine notes
- Genmaicha: a blend with puffed rice, comforting and toasty
- Long Jing (Longjing): the Chinese "Dragon Well", flat-leaf and delicate
- Bancha: mature Japanese leaves, low in caffeine
- Gunpowder (Chinese): tightly rolled pellets, robust and full-flavoured
- Mao Feng: fine buds with a soft, floral character
- Tai Ping Hou Kui: a long-leaf Chinese tea with a distinctive aromatic signature
For lovers of flavoured green tea, we offer original blends: mint green tea (Marrakech style), jasmine tea, citrus green tea, natural green tea, and ginger-lemon green tea. Ceremonial-grade Matcha powder completes the range for the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Green tea vs white tea, Oolong, Rooibos: which family is right for you?
Green tea stands apart from other tea families for its vegetal freshness and antioxidant richness:
- White tea: even less processed, soft and floral, ideal for delicate palates
- Oolong (blue-green tea): semi-oxidised, with a complex profile between green and black
- Rooibos (South African rooibos): a caffeine-free red herbal infusion, a fine alternative to tea
- Black tea: fully oxidised, full-bodied, perfect in the morning with milk
The discerning tea lover often builds a collection across several complementary families, rotating by time of day and season.
Green tea and wellbeing: properties and precautions
Rich in EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and flavonoids, green tea is valued for its antioxidant content and mild diuretic properties. The EFSA highlights the role of plant polyphenols in protecting cells against oxidative stress. A few useful precautions: green tea can reduce the absorption of dietary iron, so it is best enjoyed away from iron-rich meals; pregnant or breastfeeding women should limit their intake to two cups per day.
As part of a varied diet and an active lifestyle, it makes a pleasant companion for daily routines and contributes to good hydration. Like any caffeinated drink, it is best enjoyed in moderation.
Packaging and long-term storage
All our green teas are packaged in opaque, airtight tins or resealable pouches, available in 100 g loose-leaf format. Our professional packaging keeps the tea fresh for 12 to 18 months from the date of packing. Our organic commitment guarantees the absence of pesticides: 100% of our teas are certified to European organic standards, verified by an independent certification body.
Buying organic green tea: our formats and advice
To build your own selection of organic green tea, browse our natural and flavoured references and let your mood guide you. Each tea is available loose-leaf, packaged to preserve its freshness, and accompanied by our brewing guidance to help you bring out all its aromas.
Green Tea or Black Tea?
The Difference Between Green Tea and Black Tea
Green tea and black tea both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but their production process sets them apart:
- Green tea: The leaves are harvested and quickly heated to stop oxidation, preserving their green color and beneficial compounds.
- Black tea: The leaves are left to oxidize fully before being dried, giving them a darker color and a bolder, more pronounced flavor.
The Pros and Cons of Each
Green Tea:
Green tea is richer in antioxidants, particularly catechins. It supports focus and mental clarity, and contains less caffeine than black tea. That said, its flavor can sometimes come across as bitter or astringent for those new to it.
Black Tea:
Black tea is known for its bold, full-bodied character. Its higher caffeine content makes it a natural choice for an energy boost, and it pairs beautifully with milk and sugar. On the other hand, it contains fewer catechins due to the full oxidation of the leaves.
How to Brew and Enjoy Green Tea
Brewing Your Tea
To brew the perfect cup of green tea, follow these steps:
- Start with good-quality water, ideally filtered or spring water
- Heat the water to the recommended temperature for your green tea
- Warm your teapot or cup by rinsing it with a little hot water, then pour it out
- Add the right amount of loose-leaf tea (generally 2-3g per 200ml of water)
- Pour the hot water over the leaves
- Steep for the recommended time, giving the leaves a gentle stir once
- Strain and serve
Brewing Techniques
Try different methods to bring out the best in your tea:
- Western-style infusion: In a teapot or mug, pour hot water over the leaves and steep for the recommended time.
- Gong Fu Cha: A traditional Chinese method using a small teapot and multiple short, repeated infusions.
- Cold brew: Place the leaves in cold water and let them steep in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours, for a refreshing iced green tea.
Tasting Green Tea
To fully appreciate the aromas of your green tea, take a moment to:
- Observe the color of the liquor, which can range from pale green to golden yellow
- Breathe in the aromas rising from the cup, noting any vegetal, floral, or fruity notes
- Take a small sip and let it linger on your palate
- Identify the different flavors: vegetal, fruity, umami, smooth, or astringent
When Is the Best Time to Drink Green Tea?
Green Tea in the Morning
Starting the day with a cup of green tea can be a gentle and energizing ritual. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine provides a natural lift that sharpens focus and eases you into the day.
Green Tea in the Afternoon
A cup of green tea mid-afternoon can help shake off post-lunch fatigue, support digestion, provide a measured energy boost without disrupting sleep, and keep you hydrated.
Green Tea in the Evening
While green tea does contain caffeine, certain varieties can still be enjoyed in the evening. Here are a few guidelines:
| Time of consumption | Potential effects | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6 pm | Little impact on sleep | Most green teas are suitable |
| Between 6 pm and 8 pm | Slight risk of sleep disruption | Opt for low-caffeine varieties |
| After 8 pm | Higher risk of sleep disruption | Consider herbal infusions or decaffeinated teas |
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