Today, tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world. Hot or cold, it can be drunk at any time of the day. There are more than 1500 different types of green tea. This is why it is sometimes difficult to find one's way through the many varieties. Sencha, Matcha, Long Jing, Gunpowder, Genmaicha, Bancha, Gyokuro, Mao Feng, Kusmi is interested in the different types of green teas. We hope to give you some guidance in your desires and tastes...
How do you distinguish green tea from other teas?
Green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea... The different types of tea are distinguished according to their manufacture, drying, taste, preparation and brewing time, but also their health benefits. Let's take a look at the green tea family!
Green tea is the young leaves of the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis) harvested several times a year, roasted and then dried. There are several drying techniques, each of which produces a different tea: green, black or white. For green tea, drying takes place immediately after the rolling and withering of the tea leaves as it stops the oxidation process.
Known for their benefits (antioxidant, draining, relaxing), green teas are therefore teas that are not oxidised, unlike black teas, and have a wide range of flavours and aromas.
What are the manufacturing methods for green teas?
There are two main green tea producing regions, each with its own method.
The Japanese method uses water and steam to roast the tea leaves
The Chinese method uses large metal vats reminiscent of woks
These techniques are not exclusive to these countries, others such as Vietnam and Bangladesh also use them.
What are the different types of green tea?
The best-known varieties of green tea come mainly from three regions: China, Japan and India. China and Japan are the specialists in this field!
Green teas from China
Gunpowder
Gunpowder tea is so named because of the particular shape of its rolled leaf. Gunpowder is very well known in the West and is often used in the preparation of mint tea. It has a spicy and bitter flavour that is absolutely irresistible. To discover this, Kusmi suggests Organic Mint Green Tea. If you've been with our brand for a while, you'll love the Strawberry Green Tea blend, a variation on Kusmi's first recipe, the Organic Bouquet. Don't forget to try the St. Petersburg green tea, ideal for a sweet break by the fire.
Long Jing
Long Jing or "Dragon's Well" is a tea produced in the Zhejiang region of China. Harvested in the spring, the long flat emerald green leaves will provide light notes of hazelnut and chestnut. It is one of the richest Chinese green teas in antioxidants (catechins) and therefore has many detoxifying and draining benefits. It helps to eliminate toxins! Discover its exceptional flavours with our Long Jing green tea.
Chun mee
Or Chun me, literally "precious eyebrows" is a high quality green tea. It is particularly popular in China and is slightly more acidic and astringent than other Chinese green teas. Although it is now found in many tea-producing provinces, it was originally produced mainly in the Jiangxi region. Kusmi Tea offers many blends with Chun mee tea such as the organic jasmine green tea, which will seduce you with its flowery and sunny scents. The almond green tea blend is very tasty and ideal for tea time. Don't miss the discovery of the organic ginger and lemon green tea blend for a refreshing break. The organic Troika green tea will be perfect for those who want a deliciously tangy tea. As for the organic imperial green tea, it will offer you a gourmet and comforting moment after a long day.
Mao Feng
This Chinese tea comes from the province of Jiangsu. In the mouth, it offers sweet flavours and a vegetal taste. It is said to be one of the best teas in China because of its quality! Indeed, Mao Feng is mainly made of buds. Its accessible taste makes it suitable for people who want to learn about green tea.
Green teas from Japan
Sencha
Sencha means "brewed tea" in Japanese. It is the most widely grown green tea in Japan, and its name is clearly inspired by the Uji method, a specific preparation by infusion. It is a "light tea", meaning that it grows directly in the sun, unlike other varieties that need shade to develop (shade teas). Depending on the region in which it is grown, it can be bitter or fragrant, fresh and sweet. To discover Sencha green tea, Kusmi offers you the organic pink green tea blend.
Matcha
Literally "green tea powder", matcha tea is a Japanese tea of excellence and high quality. The tea leaves are ground to a powder and then infused in hot water. The result is a tea with a lovely green colour and an umami flavour that is both vegetal and fruity. A tea with multiple virtues due to its richness in antioxidants, matcha is very popular in Japan and is becoming more and more important in the daily life of Westerners. Don't hesitate any longer and discover our Kusmi organic matcha tea.
Genmaicha
Also called "brown rice tea" or "popcorn tea", Genmaicha is a green Sencha tea mixed with roasted rice grains. This mixture gives it a roasted taste that is reminiscent of coffee! However, it is low in caffeine, which makes it very suitable for people who are sensitive to this molecule and can therefore be easily consumed at the end of the day. It will be perfect as an after-meal or on winter evenings. Its warm notes will warm hearts. You can also find it mixed with matcha tea on the market! Genmaicha has all the benefits associated with the green tea family, but it also combines the benefits of rice.
Bancha
This is the tea of everyday life, the one that the Japanese consume the most. This has earned it the nickname of "ordinary tea". It is from the last harvest, which makes it popular and explains its slightly lower price than Sencha. Where many green teas are made from young shoots and buds, Bancha is made from older leaves. It is perfect for an after meal as it has beneficial effects on digestion. It is also very suitable for people who do not tolerate caffeine as it contains much less than Sencha or Gyokuro.
Gyokuro
Also known as "Pearl of Dew" or "Precious Dew", Gyokuro is a shade tea and one of the most refined teas in Japan. Its fine leaves, like pine needles, are carefully selected in spring to give an intense, fresh and tender taste. Grown on the island of Kyushu, this tea is one of the first teas of the season to be harvested and offers subtle and emblematic flavours.
Green teas from India
Green Darjeeling
Grown in India between sun and mist, Darjeeling is a particularly popular and luxurious tea. It even has the nickname of "the champagne of teas": yes, nothing less! The gardens that have the controlled appellation are located in the Himalayan foothills. This tea is harvested between March and November. The first harvest (March to April) offers a tea with exquisite delicate flavours. The second harvest (May to June) is particularly sought after because of the fruity notes that emerge from the tea. Finally, the third harvest gives a tea that is more robust and woody in the mouth. It's up to you to make your choice according to your tastes!
Kusmi carefully blends the most delicate teas to offer you high quality blends. Our organic label guarantees you a pesticide-free tea for delicious moments of relaxation.
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