Green Tea

The Green Tea Guide: From Leaf to Cup

Green tea, made from the unoxidised leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is defined by its characteristic colour and delicate flavour. From the Japanese tea ceremony to everyday moments of pause, it has established itself as a true art of living, weaving together tradition and modernity in every cup.

The Origins of Green Tea: A Thousand-Year Story

Green tea traces its roots to ancient China, the birthplace of this iconic beverage. 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 valued as a medicinal remedy, green tea gradually became the drink of choice across Asia.

In the eighth century, the Japanese Buddhist monk Saicho brought green tea to Japan, where it swiftly became a cornerstone of Japanese culture and gave rise to the celebrated tea ceremony. Over the centuries, green tea cultivation spread to other parts of Asia, including Vietnam, Korea and India, with each country developing its own distinct varieties and production techniques.

Today, while China remains the world's largest producer of green tea, this ancient beverage is enjoyed and cultivated across the globe, a testament to its enduring, universal appeal.

The Benefits and Virtues 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 recognized by food safety authorities in shielding cells from the effects of oxidative damage.

A Light, Invigorating Drink

Naturally low in calories when enjoyed plain, green tea fits beautifully into a wellness routine. It combines a gentle amount of theine with L-theanine for sustained, smooth vitality throughout the day, and can be savored without sugar or fat as a satisfying alternative to sweetened drinks.

Further Health Benefits

Green tea is also valued for its calming properties, thanks to L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. Enjoyed after a meal, it makes a pleasant companion to digestion, and sipped throughout the day, it contributes to healthy hydration.

Storing and Brewing Green Tea

How to Store Your Tea

To preserve the freshness and aromas of your green tea, keep it in an airtight container, away from light, moisture, and strong odors. Avoid temperature fluctuations by storing it somewhere cool and dry. For best quality, enjoy your green tea within 6 to 12 months of purchase. Avoid refrigerating green tea, as moisture can compromise its quality.

How to Choose a Quality Green Tea

The Origin of the Leaves

The geographic origin of a green tea plays a crucial role in its quality and flavor profile. China, the birthplace of green tea, offers an extraordinary 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 teas with a character all their own.

The Production Process

The quality of a green tea depends greatly on how it is made, from plucking and withering to fixing, rolling, and drying. The finest leaves are hand-picked in spring, then carefully processed to preserve all their natural goodness.

Freshness and Aroma

Trust your senses when assessing a green tea. The leaves should be intact, ranging 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 crisp. In the cup, look for a well-balanced flavor, free from excessive bitterness.

Green Tea FAQ

How Much Green Tea Should I Use?

The ideal amount depends on the type of tea and your personal taste. As a general guide, use 2 to 3 grams of leaves per 200 ml of water. For tea bags, one bag per cup is usually enough. Adjust the quantity to suit the strength you prefer.

Can green tea fit into a wellness routine?

Low in calories when drunk plain, green tea fits naturally into a balanced lifestyle. Its moderate caffeine content and abundance of catechins make it a refreshing, invigorating drink, ideal as an alternative to sugary beverages, as part of a varied diet and regular physical activity.

How many cups of green tea a 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 prefer to keep it to 2 or 3 cups, and it is advisable not to exceed 8 cups per day. If you are sensitive to caffeine, enjoying your green tea earlier in the day is a good habit.

At what temperature should green tea be brewed?

Green tea is best enjoyed in 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 scorches the leaves and draws out bitterness.

Loose-leaf or tea bag?

Loose-leaf offers whole leaves that unfurl freely and release their full aromatic range: it is our format of choice for tea lovers. Tea bags remain convenient at the office or on the go. In either case, look for large, well-formed leaves, a sign of a carefully harvested tea.

Which green tea is best for beginners?

For a first exploration, reach 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, with no sharp bitterness, are perfect for easing into the world of green tea.

Buy Organic Green Tea Online

Our shop offers a curated selection of organic green tea in loose-leaf form: Japanese grand crus (Sencha, Gyokuro, Kabusecha, Tai Ping Hou Kui), Chinese teas (Gunpowder, Long Jing, Mao Feng, Bancha), and flavored green teas (jasmine, mint, fruit, ginger-lemon). All our green teas are certified organic, selected directly from partner producers and carefully packaged to preserve their aromas.

Brewing Green Tea: Temperature and Dosage

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, while Chinese Gunpowder tolerates 80–85 °C. Can be re-steeped up to twice.

The Benefits of Organic Green Tea

Green tea is rich in catechins (notably EGCG), powerful antioxidants. It contains moderate caffeine paired with relaxing L-theanine, offering gentle stimulation without jitteriness. Ideal for the afternoon.

Our Online Green Tea Shop: Commitment and Expertise

At Thés & Traditions, every tea is selected directly from our partner producers, grown using certified organic methods, then packaged in airtight tins to preserve the full freshness of the leaves. We place great importance on leaf quality and transparency about origin, so that every cup lives up to your expectations.

Choosing a great tea takes expertise: differences in origin (Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam), harvest year, and production method all matter. Our French family tea house has been guiding tea lovers through these choices with passion and care since 2016.

Loose-Leaf Green Tea Varieties

Our selection covers all the great loose-leaf green tea varieties:

• Sencha (Japanese): the classic umami, fresh and vegetal
• Gyokuro: a shaded grand cru with marine and iodine notes
• Genmaicha: a puffed rice blend with a toasty, comforting profile
• Long Jing (Longjing): the Chinese "Dragon Well," flat-pressed and delicate
• Bancha: mature Japanese leaves, naturally low in caffeine
• Gunpowder (Chinese): tightly rolled pellets with a robust character
• Mao Feng: fine buds with a soft, floral sweetness
• Tai Ping Hou Kui: a long-leafed Chinese tea with a distinctive aromatic signature

For lovers of flavored green tea, we offer some wonderful combinations: mint green tea (Marrakech style), jasmine tea, citrus green tea, plain 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 thanks to its vegetal freshness and antioxidant richness:

• White tea: even less processed, soft and floral, ideal for delicate palates
• Oolong (blue-green tea): semi-oxidized, with a complex profile sitting between green and black
• Rooibos (South African rooibos): a caffeine-free red herbal infusion, a gentle alternative to tea
• Black tea: fully oxidized, full-bodied, perfect in the morning with milk

The dedicated tea lover often builds a collection spanning several families, choosing 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 notes: 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 intake to two cups per day.

As part of a varied diet and an active lifestyle, green tea 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 after sealing. Our organic commitment means zero 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 put together your own selection of organic green tea, browse our plain and flavored offerings and let your mood guide you. Every tea is available loose-leaf, packaged to preserve its freshness, and comes with our brewing guidance to help you unlock its full aromatic potential.

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 processes differ:

• Green tea: The leaves are harvested and quickly heated to stop oxidation, preserving their green color and beneficial compounds.
• Black tea: The leaves are allowed to oxidize fully before being dried, which gives them a darker color and a bolder, more pronounced flavor.

The Pros and Cons of Each Type

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 bolder, full-bodied flavor. Its higher caffeine content makes it a great 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 Prepare and Enjoy Green Tea

Brewing Your Tea

To brew the perfect cup of green tea, follow these steps:

1. Choose good-quality water, ideally filtered or spring water
2. Heat the water to the recommended temperature for your green tea
3. Warm your teapot or cup by rinsing it with a little hot water, then pour it out
4. Add the right amount of tea leaves (generally 2–3g per 200ml of water)
5. Pour the hot water over the leaves
6. Steep for the recommended time, giving the leaves one gentle stir
7. Strain and serve

Infusion Methods

Try different approaches 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 infusions.
• Cold infusion: Place the leaves in cold water and leave them to 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 your time:

1. Observe the color of the infusion, which can range from pale green to golden yellow
2. Breathe in the aromas and notice the vegetal, floral, or fruity notes
3. Take a small sip and let it linger on your tongue
4. Pay attention to 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 wonderful ritual. It provides a natural energy lift thanks to its caffeine and L-theanine content, supporting focus and easing you gently into the day.

Green Tea in the Afternoon

A mid-afternoon cup of green tea can help shake off post-lunch fatigue, support digestion, provide an energy boost without disrupting sleep, and keep you well hydrated.

Green Tea in the Evening

Although green tea does contain caffeine, some varieties can be enjoyed in the evening. Here are a few guidelines: