So what is the best green tea?
How to choose quality tea
- Firstly, if you want to try not a fake, then immediately exclude tea bags. After such processing, all the useful qualities of the drink are lost. Everything that is sold in filter bags is beautifully packaged tea production waste. People who know a lot about this drink will not buy it in factory-made cardboard or iron packages. It is better to buy green tea only in trusted places and by weight.
- Secondly, the taste directly depends on the area where the tea bushes are grown. The Chinese province called Fujian, which is located opposite Taiwan, is known for the fact that it is in it that an entire production process for the processing of expensive varieties of this plant operates. Green tea really costs a lot of money, but it is worth considering that the air there is very clean, as well as the nature is beautiful and the mountains and much more, which only speaks of an ecologically clean area.
The best tea is produced by harvesting five trees planted in the area no less than 500 years ago. These tea trees grow on the heights of the mountains and therefore, in order to collect leaves from them, it takes a lot of time and effort.
- Thirdly, the product is considered to be of the highest quality if its shelf life is a little more than one month. There is one "but" - you can store it longer, but it will lose its properties. Tea that has already been brewed should not be stored for more than one day.
Therefore, all Chinese drink only fresh brewed tea, because it has not yet accumulated foreign smells and tastes, and it is very beautiful in color.
In fact, the brands of green tea in Japan and China do not differ much. The only difference is the processing method. The most common is the Chinese brand.
Leaves are the main indicator of quality. The leaves should be bright in color (maybe both pistachio-colored and bright green) and beautifully shaped. The leaves should be soft and lively.
In the old drink, they are a little hard and of different shapes, dry and crumble easily. Most often dark or brown shades. It is worth paying attention to the expiration date. Real green leaves are stored for no more than 1-2 years, it is advisable to keep them in a parchment or foil package.
The four best teas by weight
- Gyokuro. One of the most expensive types of Japanese green tea, it is unusually sweet and invigorates better than coffee (high content of titanium and caffeine). Gyokuro is grown according to special technologies, i.e. it grows in the shade. Its leaves are usually dark emerald in color and have a special oblong shape (similar to spruce needles). The average price for 100 g reaches 800 rubles, but it's worth it.
- Biluochun Emerald Spirals of Spring. It is grown in the Chinese province of Jiangsu. Due to the fact that fruits are grown near the tea plantations, the leaves of the tea bush naturally absorb the fruity aroma. After drying, it is not subjected to further processing. The leaves are strictly curved. Price from 500 rubles per 100 g.
- Xinyang Maojian - grown high in the mountains. The drink, in addition to a pleasant and delicate aroma, contains a large amount of vitamin C. Because of this, it is recommended to drink tea infusion in the morning, as it has a very invigorating effect. Its cost is from 340 rubles.
- Yuquanili "Pearl with a milky smell". This variety is grown in China. It is a product that does not contain foreign additives, has a delicate taste and pleasant aroma, and its milky-vanilla smell is achieved through special processing.
Among the classic varieties of Chinese tea, Mao Feng should be distinguished - it has a mild and sweetish-floral taste. It is recommended for people prone to frequent stress. A variety such as Tuocha is considered one of the most healing.
Ideal for those who regularly diet. Chun Mee is also brought to us from China. This drink is strong and tart, inexpensive and most importantly does not contain any additives.
Lovers of fruity flavors should pay attention to Lung Ching (Longjing). This variety with a delicate floral taste and smell belongs to the elite varieties, it is also called imperial.
The Best Inexpensive Varieties for Tea Bag Fans
Not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on a daily drink, so let's also consider ordinary (bagged) tea. It is now on the shelves a lot, a variety of firms and variations.
But judging by the above signs of quality tea, as well as customer reviews, we can distinguish the following types:
- MaitredeThe "Napoleon". This is the so-called milk oolong. Sold in a can, which allows you to keep its freshness and aroma longer than in cardboard boxes. The leaves are pistachio-colored, have a twisted shape (when brewed, they bloom into almost a whole leaf). The infusion itself is pleasant to the taste, pale straw color. Produced in China.
- Next on the list is Hilltop Gunpowder Green Tea. The material for such a drink is selected very carefully. Those who have been to tea plantations in China claim that these are only the top few petals from each bush. Tea is packaged in a sealed tin (with a beautiful design, suitable for a gift). Its leaves are rolled into balls. At tea ceremonies, they are surprised by its rich taste and amazing aroma.
Tea drinking traditions by season
Chinese people like different kinds of tea depending on the season. For example, in the spring they drink tea collected from various inflorescences of plants, but in the summer they prefer only green teas. Autumn for the Chinese is the time for drinking oolong tea, and in winter they prefer red.
According to the tradition of tea drinking, the Chinese drink the divine infusion, slowly, talking to each other, or thinking about their own. The people of China believe that in this way they will become rich. As for the dishes in which tea is brewed, teapots made of purple and red clay are considered the best.
Every brand is useful in its own way. Even if you have just started to join it, it is worth remembering that it is not the main thing in which place the tea plant has grown, it is important to brew it correctly.
Tips for preparing such a drink can be reduced to the basic rule - never brew a tea leaf with boiling water.
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Real fresh Chinese green tea is sweet, fragrant and very healthy. We will talk about the varieties of green tea, the best way to brew and the beneficial properties of this wonderful drink.
Green tea is harvested in China in the spring, and already in May-June, fresh green tea appears in Russia. In order not to create confusion, we recall that the Chinese separate green tea from white (which is also light green or fawn in appearance), from yellow (which can be confused with some varieties of green tea) and from oolongs, the leaves of which are twisted into lumps and have a green color. . The topic of this article is only green tea.
Fresh green tea has several advantages at once: 
. Light fragrance
. Delicate taste
. Fresh cooling aftertaste
. Awakening action
. Purification and strengthening of the body
It is fresh green tea that the Chinese have in mind when they talk and write about the benefits of tea. With the help of green tea and gymnastics, old people in Asia live to a ripe old age with a minimum of diseases and remain active and with a clear mind at a respectable age. Green tea perfectly cleans and strengthens blood vessels, helps to avoid excess weight and nourishes the body with vitamins and microelements. It was green tea that helped thousands of Japanese to endure the consequences of the atomic explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Cases of a complete cure of radiation sickness and the removal of radionuclides are known. All this thanks to good green tea and regular and proper tea drinking.
How to brew green tea
Speaking of correctness, we mean the Asian way of brewing. Until the middle of the 20th century, Europeans could not taste fresh green tea, and all the main brewing methods that developed in the 17th-19th centuries refer to red or black tea and are completely unsuitable for green tea, as it becomes tasteless and completely unhealthy.
In Asia, green tea is brewed in a small container (teapot or gaiwan - a cup with a lid) with a volume of 80-120 ml, with non-hot water about 80 degrees. Tea leaves are put noticeably more than with the European method - from 15 to 35% of the volume of the kettle. And tea is brewed for just a couple of seconds, immediately pouring the infusion into a cup.
An ideal vessel for brewing delicate green teas is the traditional Chinese gaiwan - a cup on a saucer with an unfinished lid. On a small preheated gaiwan take about 1 tablespoon of tea. The time of the first 3 infusions is 2-3 seconds. For the following brews, you can increase the time up to 10 seconds. This method allows:
1. Drink less liquid
2. Brew tea five or more times
3. Get the most out of tea
Taste and aroma of green tea
The aroma of fresh dry green tea is sweet with clear tones of fresh grass, July meadow herbs and flowers. The aroma of brewed green tea is fresh with a predominance of herbal notes. The aroma should be gentle and clear, and the smell of an empty cup can be noticeably stronger than the aroma of the drink itself. In an empty cup, it can smell like flowers - from lilac and jasmine to tropical flowers.
The taste of green tea is necessarily sweet and oily. There should be almost no bitterness and astringency in it, especially in the first tea leaves. The infusion is light green with yellowness, almost transparent - this is absolutely normal. Do not try to achieve strength and rich color from green tea. After all, in order to get the usual red-brown color, the tea must be fermented, that is, turn brown, which happens with red or black teas.
How often to drink green tea
We consider tea leaves, and not the mythical "cups of tea." One brew in a teapot with a volume of 100 ml takes 3-4 grams (1 tablespoon) of dry tea. You can brew 5 times in a row and get 2 large European cups or 15 Chinese bowls (30 ml each) by volume. In China, they can prepare green tea 3-4 times a day, which means 10-15 grams of dry tea. In order for the active substances of tea to begin their work, and we feel the effect, you need to drink green tea at least 1 time per day. That is, once a day you need to brew 3-4 grams, make several tea leaves and get a lot of cups of green tea. Noticeably tangible effect of green tea begins when brewing in this way at least three times a day.
Varieties of green tea
The most famous variety of green tea in China is Long Jing (Dragon Well). More than 40 varieties of tea bushes have been bred for this variety in China. The variety of flavors of Long Jing is amazing. The variation in quality is also quite large. In Russia, a good Long Jing, as a rule, costs from $20 per 100 grams. Long Jing is harvested in April, quite strongly and quickly fried in a special heated vat, intensely pressing against a hot surface. Due to this, Long Jing has a noticeable aroma of roasted pumpkin seeds with grassy undertones. But the taste is dominated by freshness and sweet notes.
(Fleecy Peaks). This tea is harvested in early Chinese spring, that is, in mid-February. The tea is processed on the same day and can be drunk almost immediately. This tea is a champion in terms of the content of invigorating and active substances. Fresh Mao Feng is quite expensive, but by the end of spring it becomes much cheaper, which allows you to buy it in Russia for $ 20 per 100 grams.
Tai Ping Hou Kui(The Monkey Leader from Tai Ping). Tea that the Chinese love to give. For example, in 2006 Tai Ping Ho Kui was presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is a very fresh green tea. The leaves are large and flat. The infusion is very gentle with the aroma of fresh herbs. Tai Ping Ho Kui is very useful when fresh.
(Green Peony) is named for the resemblance of tea leaves to peony petals. The variety has been known since the 10th century. Its taste is refreshing, with a noticeable chill in the aftertaste.
Liu An Gua Pian(Pumpkin seeds). Tea is produced in the same place as the famous Tie Guanyin - in Anxi. The tea leaves are shaped like pumpkin seeds. The tea is very fragrant and invigorating.
(Emerald Spirals of Spring). This is a very delicate tea with white pile. bai hao on the leaves. This variety of tea was supplied among others to the court of the Emperor. Bi Lo Chun is sorted and processed on the day of collection, which allows you to save a record amount of the most valuable amino acids. The tea has a delicate emerald color of the infusion, a thick aroma and a delicate taste.
Sencha- Japanese tea, which is drunk daily in the Land of the Rising Sun. It quenches thirst, improves digestion, invigorates and helps to endure the heat.
Gunpowder(Powder). It's an inexpensive everyday 
Chinese tea. It can be drunk as an aperitif or digestif before meals and after spicy food.
Aromatic green tea
Very often, green tea is flavored with natural flavors. There are few of them and they are all traditional for China and Asia as a whole. For example, jasmine tea is an inexpensive tea infused with jasmine flowers. There are premium jasmine teas, and here the tea was simply dried over a layer of jasmine flowers. That's the sort jade rings or Jade Rings. The second most popular supplement is osmanthus flowers (cinnamon tree).
Teas with flower and fruit additives smell very pleasant, but the raw materials for them are always taken inexpensively. A bright non-specific aroma in green tea indicates artificial additives. Such tea is unlikely to be useful, as additives usually mask the age or low grade of tea.
Oolong - turquoise tea
Oolongs are externally green in color, give a green-yellow infusion, so they are often referred to as 
green tea. This is not true, because oolongs are quite thick in taste and can even resemble some red teas. The aroma of oolongs is not herbal and fresh-cool, but rather floral and denser and thicker than that of green tea. Oolongs are used in the classical Chinese tea ceremony and are brewed 10 times or more. Oolongs are an intermediate link between green and red (black) tea.
Green tea properties
In ancient China, tea was perceived more as a medicine than as a drink. The tea was ground into a powder, mixed with other herbs and a rather bitter infusion was obtained. They drank such a drink without pleasure and only in order to get the desired effect. But later it was noticed that if tea is brewed carefully, regularly and in sufficient quantities, then the beneficial properties of tea manifest themselves even better. It is much more pleasant to drink delicious tea often than to brew a bitter green broth.
The benefits of green tea
How useful is green tea? For the Chinese, this question invariably raises a smile, since all the main books on the benefits of green tea were written in China more than a thousand years ago, and the inhabitants of China have no doubts about its benefits. It is green tea that the Chinese drink daily and often. This is green tea they mean when they talk about the benefits of tea, about the many diseases that tea lovers simply do not have. Dry cold numbers of statistics tell us that China has the least number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes. One small detail can change the attitude towards tea and medicine in China in general: traditional medicine in China they call it not a tablet, but as we would say, traditional medicine. And the main direction of Chinese and Asian medicine is traditional ancient methods of treatment and prevention of diseases.
Tea removes toxins, radionuclides, toxins, cleanses and strengthens the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, thereby equalizing pressure and eliminating problems with the cardiovascular system. Green tea contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. According to numerous studies, tea contains from 300 to 700 active substances that are beneficial to humans.
Harm of green tea
The main harm from green tea comes from the poor quality of tea, from excessive drinking, thoughtless brewing and non-compliance with the recommendations and centuries-old traditions of drinking tea. It is known that any medicine in large quantities becomes a poison. Recall that you can die from plain water if you drink more than 10 liters at a time. A lethal dose of salt is only 250 grams. Green tea in moderation is absolutely harmless, you should not be afraid of it.
Green tea and blood pressure
We recommend that you be careful and restrained in drinking green tea with high blood pressure. In these cases, you need to make a test tea drinking and drink a small cup of tea, wait 15 minutes and assess your well-being. If the pressure does not increase, then you can continue to drink tea, observing moderation. Subsequently, regular tea drinking will reduce the amplitude of pressure surges, reduce the frequency of increases, and over the years will completely get rid of this problem.
Green tea and diet
Any tea effectively helps to fight excess weight. Of course, if the diet consists of pies and cakes, then no tea will help. Tea helps to better cope with heavy food, removes toxins and generally improves the tone of the body. With tea, any diet seems especially pleasant, and the results are even more pleasing to the eye. But green tea is not a panacea, and you should not seriously count on the fact that tea will cope with sweet sodas, mayonnaise salads, buns, sweets and greasy sausage.
The best green tea 
The best tea is fresh tea. Green tea is valued primarily for its freshness. It may be low grade, non-elite and inexpensive, but it must be fresh, harvested this year.
Taste differences between varieties sometimes give rise to debate over which green tea is the best, but this is outside the realm of tea culture. China has its own preferences. The most popular green tea in China is Long Jing (Dragon Well). A huge number of tea growers are engaged in the cultivation and production of Long Jing, and it is no coincidence that they drink it throughout the day. But in terms of taste and benefits, Long Jing "competes" with Mao Feng (Fleecy Peaks) and Tai Ping Ho Kui (Monkey Leader from Hu Kui). Fans of Lu Mu Dan (Green Peony) or Liu An Gua Pian (Pumpkin Seed) tea may disagree and consider their tea to be the best. And here only taste preferences intervene.
Green tea with milk
Milk green tea is nothing but milk oolong, which, although green, belongs to turquoise teas. Milk oolong has a natural bright creamy aroma and a clear sweetish taste, reminiscent of the taste of green and high-grade red tea, such as Indian tea. Darjeeling. It is not customary to add milk to green tea.
Good and fresh green tea is a very healthy, centuries-old drink. Drink green tea often, take only the best and freshest tea, brew it correctly, and you will get a delicious, fragrant and very healthy drink.
There are many varieties of green tea in the world. Each of them has its own unique qualities. Some are delicate in taste, others are tart, some have a pungent smell, others are floral. However, this variety allows you to choose a tea that you personally will really like.
By taste, green tea varieties can be divided into:
- Refreshing taste (Kukicha, Bancha, Sencha);
- Tart taste (Chung Mi, Shen Puer, Gunpowder);
- Floral Spicy (Mao Feng, Pan Long Ying Hao);
- Floral gentle (Bi Lo Chun, Lung Ching);
Tea leaves are rolled, roasted, fermented, pressed into plates, crushed into powder, rolled into balls, tied up to form a flower. This gave rise to thousands of varieties of tea, some of which are still unknown to experts.
In China, each province produces a completely different tea, depending on the technologies that traditionally originated in them. Moreover, their quality is determined by 8 standards. 
6 varieties of Chinese green tea recognized as classics:
Chun Mi is one of the main teas exported by China. He was the first to come to Europe and it is his tart taste that Europeans associate with real tea. It is strong, cheap, without additives and flavorings.
It got its name because of the leaves, twisted into small balls, resembling shot, crackling at high temperatures. In fact, it is the most popular green tea in the world. It is strong, tart, with a very pleasant aroma.
- it has a very delicate floral taste and aroma, because of which it was awarded the title "Imperial tea". It is an elite variety of tea, although its price is quite affordable.
Tocha is one of the most healing varieties of green tea. It is recommended for diets and other situations of starvation of the body. It may be green or black.
King Ding - has a strong aroma and a pleasant spicy taste. Most often, it is used for holidays and other celebrations.
- it has a soft, delicate and even sweetish floral taste. Helps relieve stress and distract from the hustle and bustle.
For over 5,000 years, tea has been the favorite drink of millions. It invigorates in the morning and perfectly tones up during the day. To warm up on winter evenings, they drink it hot, and to quench their thirst in the heat, ice is added to the drink. A huge number of companies around the world produce 1000 different varieties and types of tea. It is difficult to find the best drink in such a variety, so we have compiled a rating based on expert opinions and customer reviews.
The best loose black tea
Most of the production volumes are black tea. For its manufacture, the leaves are subjected to fermentation, which can last from 2 to 4 weeks. Large-leaf black tea has a tart taste. Manufacturers are constantly experimenting with a variety of additives to give the drink versatility.
4 Basilur
The best premium black tea
Country: Sri Lanka
Rating (2019): 4.6
This tea is truly grown, harvested, produced and packaged in Ceylon, so it is of consistently high quality. The company was founded in Sri Lanka in 1982 and has been a major tea supplier to other countries ever since. The authenticity of the origin of the drink can be verified by the sign of the golden lion on the original packaging. This symbol is not allowed to be used by any other country. One of the secrets of the great taste of tea is the work of tea testers. This is a kind of tea sommeliers, tasters who are able to distinguish tens of thousands of shades of taste, aftertaste, bouquet of a drink. Therefore Basilur is really a premium product at a moderate cost - about 250 rubles. for 100 gr. Tea can be found in large supermarkets.
The range of teas is simply huge, and both classic and flavored lines are popular. The harmony of the tea bouquet is achieved by refusing to use artificial flavors, adding pieces of fruit, inflorescences, flower petals and buds, aromatic herbs and oils. The company's assortment includes at least 200 types of tea, among which every connoisseur of this drink will find the best taste and aroma for himself. Many customers really like the oriental tea collection. One of the brightest flavors from this line is Frosty Day with a harmonious bouquet of white and blue cornflower petals, passion fruit and orange. Finding negative reviews about this brand is very difficult.
3 Birds of Paradise
The best loose leaf tea
The country: Sri Lanka (there is a representative office in Russia)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Sri Lanka is considered the country of origin of the brand, but the tea that is on the shelves of our stores is packaged by the Russian representative of Aromat Extra LLC. Despite the low cost (about 100 rubles per 100 gr.), the tea is of very good quality, has a rich, harmonious taste and aroma. It is also impossible to attribute it to the category of mass consumption products - tea is not supplied to all stores, it is not the most common. But it is one of the best in its price range.
Under the Birds of Paradise brand, mainly classic large-leaf and medium-leaf Ceylon and Indian teas are produced. Flavorings are rarely used and only natural. For example, a light, unobtrusive scent of bergamot. Large pieces of berries are visible in Strawberry Glade tea. There are a lot of varieties, you can find an option for every taste. Users respond very well to it. They like the absence of "dust" and broken tea leaves. When brewing, whole leaves become visible. The taste of tea without additives is very rich, slightly tart, the color is thick, beautiful.
2 Tess
Variety of flavors at an affordable price
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.7
The Tess brand is part of the large Orimi-Trade concern, which has been producing coffee and tea drinks since 1994. In the reviews, Tess tea buyers note the excellent taste of the drink and the variety of choices. All products are made from high-mountain varieties of tea bushes. The brand cannot be called the highest quality - it belongs to mass consumption products, has an affordable price. A pack of tea weighing 100 grams costs about 100 rubles. But at the same time, its palatability is quite high, and the variety of flavors, rich aromas and availability in most supermarkets and shops make it one of the most popular.
The range of black teas includes 6 different varieties. Tess Ceylon high-mountain Ceylon large-leaf tea is especially popular. Tess Plezha has an unusual taste, as it harmoniously combines rose hips, apple, flower petals and tropical fruits. "Tess Orange" is a real source of energy - the orange that is part of it pleasantly invigorates and tones. Tess Earl Gray tea has a more refreshing effect, the energy of citrus fruits and the freshness of bergamot contribute to an easy awakening. Tess Sunrise will give you a classic cheerful morning; according to gourmet reviews, it is the best drink in the brand line.
Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of tea and the absence of contraindications for consumption. However, it is worth noting that there are several limitations:
- do not brew tea several times;
- "yesterday's" tea does not contain useful substances and can even harm;
- if you drink tea on an empty stomach, you can harm the digestive system;
- due to the increased concentration of caffeine, a strong drink should not be consumed by hypertensive patients;
- taste and nutritional qualities deteriorate due to improper brewing;
- tea should not be taken with medicines.
1 Twinings
Real English tea
The country: Great Britain
Rating (2019): 4.9
For over 300 years, Twinings drinks have been popular with consumers. The manufacturer has found an approach to everyone, as it implements a wide range of varieties. For lovers of bergamot, the company produces Earl Gray tea. A rich taste of "English Breakfast" is given by a blend of large-leaved varieties. In the fruit collection, the leader of sales is Lady Gray Tea, which combines citrus notes of bergamot, lemon and orange.
Tea "Prince of Wales" is the pride of Twinings. It was created in 1921 personally for His Highness the Prince of Wales. Of course, only experienced specialists were involved in its production, who used the best varieties of large-leaf tea. Now the company's collection is represented by more than 150 varieties of tea sold in 100 countries. Russian users also appreciated its quality. In the reviews, they note the invariably rich taste, pronounced aroma. Unlike many other brands, the manufacturer produces the same quality tea in bulk and in bags. The peculiarity of the brand is that loose leaf tea is produced mainly in metal cans to preserve the unchanged taste and aroma. The cost compared to mass consumption brands is quite high - about 350 rubles per 100 grams.
The best black tea bags
American merchant Thomas Sullivan sent samples of tea to his customers in small silk bags. The customers decided that tea should be brewed directly into them. This is how tea bags were accidentally invented. It is convenient to brew black tea in them, because this does not require a kettle. Tea crumbs or small long leaf tea are packaged in small triangles made of fine polymer mesh or filter paper bags. The packaged drink has a wide range of flavors, which is why it is very popular with customers.
4 Newby
Selected high quality tea
The country: United Kingdom (country of origin India)
Rating (2019): 4.7
An expensive but very high quality international premium brand that produces a wide range of classic and flavored teas in bulk and in bags. There are several features in the production that make the products unique - the collection is carried out only in the most favorable period, the factory is located in the heart of the tea regions of India, so the raw materials are delivered immediately after collection for processing, blending and packaging.
The company's assortment includes about 150 different varieties of tea - black, green, herbal, oolong, flavored varieties. Packed black tea is of high quality, gives a strong infusion with a noble color and rich taste. On sale you can find classic varieties (Assam, English Breakfast, Earl Grey), as well as teas with aromas of thyme, bergamot, cardamom, jasmine, ginger, mango, strawberry and bouquets of different aromas. But in the case of expensive teas, users prefer classic tea without additives. The most popular of this brand is the English Breakfast blend with a balanced taste and aroma without pronounced bitterness. The cost of a box of 25 bags varies between 300-400 rubles.
3 "May tea"
Quality proven over the years
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.7
The trademark was registered in 1991 by the May concern, and is still the most recognizable on the market. Large-leaf varieties are subjected to special processing in order to preserve all the benefits and richness of taste. For the convenience of brewing, "May tea" is sold in bags and pyramids that retain all the advantages of a leaf drink. The most popular varieties in the collection are Ceylon and Kenyan teas. This is the well-known "Crown of the Russian Empire", as well as "Golden Petals", "Black Diamond".
Also bagged black tea has a wide flavored line. Lemon, wild berries, raspberries, strawberries and currants are used for a variety of tastes. Among packaged teas, buyers fell in love with a fairly new line of products packed in beautiful golden boxes - Currant with Mint, Fragrant Thyme, Fragrant Bergamot. These teas do have a rather pleasant aroma, but can only claim to be one of the best teas in the budget price range. The cost for a box of 25 bags rarely exceeds 85 rubles.
2 Dammann
Best quality tea bags
Country: France
Rating (2019): 4.8
One of the most expensive and high-quality teas on the Russian market. It is produced by the oldest tea company in France, founded in 1925. It can be safely called the best manufacturer of packaged teas, since it tastes no different from a drink brewed from a loose product. When you open the bag, you will find in it not dust and “sawdust”, as happens with cheap brands, but a real large, properly rolled tea leaf. This company was one of the first to start producing flavored teas, but they do not use cheap flavors, but only natural ingredients.
Also in the assortment you can find classic tastes without additional additives. When brewing, the difference is immediately felt, it is seen even by those who cannot call themselves a connoisseur and connoisseur of tea. Very rich, dense color, slightly tart, strong taste and incomparable aroma. True, in Russia this tea is more often purchased as a gift - the cost of a box of 25 bags starts from 700 rubles. But true connoisseurs of the drink can treat themselves. Assorted bags are very popular, including teas with the taste of bergamot, strawberry, currant, honey, almond, lime, vanilla, hazelnut.
1 Althaus
Best for tea shops and restaurants
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.9
Althaus is a German tea, harvested from the best plantations in different parts of the world. The collection was designed by lead teatester Ralf Janeki in Bremen. Due to its high quality, it is purchased for restaurants, cafes, as well as tea boutiques. The classification of black tea "Althouse" is conditional, since this category also includes puer, oolong and red varieties. The drink undergoes strict quality control, therefore it fully complies with EU and Russian standards. Interestingly, some varieties of tea bushes were bred specifically for the Althaus brand.
The brand's collection includes classic blends and aromatic teas with the addition of thyme and bergamot. It is difficult to find fruit teas in the assortment - the company tries to preserve the pure taste of a noble drink, only slightly shading it with the most harmonious additives. On sale there are tea bags made from leaves collected on plantations in India and Sri Lanka. This is really a worthy tea, which has earned high marks from the most fastidious gourmets.
The best loose leaf green tea
The leaves harvested for green tea are steamed. Therefore, the color of the drink remains green and preserves the natural supply of nutrients and vitamins. After steaming, the leaves are dried, rolled and packaged. Some varieties are fermented, but not for long - a maximum of 48 hours. The taste of green tea is slightly sweetish or tart with the aroma of herbs.
4 Nadin
Rich collection of flavored teas
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.7
The company, founded in Russia, has taken its rightful place in the market due to the abundance of different varieties of tea. Bagged tea is rarely found on sale, but there are a lot of varieties of large-leaf black and green tea. In their composition, artificial flavors are usually not used - in the mixture you can see pieces of fruits and berries, an admixture of petals and herbs, and other natural additives. Not in favor of the company is the fact that the tea leaf is grown in China, but the main processing is already in Russia - the quality of this, of course, suffers.
Most of the teas are designed for mass consumption, so they have a low cost - about 60 rubles per 50 grams. But there are also more expensive varieties. For example, green tea "Silver Strawberry" in the form of balls formed from whole tea leaves costs about 350 rubles per 100 grams. The flavors "Forest basket" with pieces of berries, "Chinese lemongrass" with lemongrass grass and citrus zest are very popular.
3 Ahmed
Strict quality control
The country: UK (manufactured in India, China, England, Iran, UAE, Russia and Ukraine)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Ahmad Tea Ltd was founded in 1946 by Ahmad Afshar in Hampshire. The company values its reputation, so it uses tea leaves from the best plantations in China, India and Kenya. Natural oils for scented collections are produced under strict control in the UK. Tradition and strict quality control helped the tea house to receive several international awards, and even visit the International Space Station in 2005. Since 2011, the company has been producing the "Royal Collection" for Buckingham Palace.
In the assortment of the company you can find classic green teas with a very pleasant aroma of a well-made product. Fans of complex flavors will love the line of flavored varieties with the addition of jasmine flowers, lemon balm, mint, lemongrass. Among ordinary people, Ahmad tea has been associated with a top quality product for a couple of decades. According to real connoisseurs, it is very far from the category of premium brands, but in its price category it can be considered one of the best. The cost for a pack weighing 100 grams starts from 100 rubles.
2 Greenfield
The best tea according to Russians
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.8
In 2003, the Orimi Trade group of companies signed an agreement with the British company Greenfield Tea Ltd. According to numerous surveys and studies, Greenfield ranks first in the rating of "favorite teas" of Russians. The range of the brand includes more than 30 items. The line of green leaf tea is represented by three varieties.
Leaf Chinese tea Flying Dragon, grown in Hunan province, will delight tea lovers with rich color, floral aroma, invigorates, refreshes and quenches thirst. Jasmine Dream from Chinese plantations in Yunnan is special. In its preparation, jasmine flowers are dried along with tea leaves and then hand-picked. Japanese Sencha is grown in the Japanese province of Fukoka. But some users note that the quality of tea has declined somewhat recently. It is no longer as fragrant and rich as before. Many people buy it out of habit or because of its low cost - about 100 rubles per 100 grams.
1 Russian Tea Company
Large selection of varieties
The country: Russia (produced in Germany and Russia)
Rating (2019): 4.9
"Russian Tea Company" was established in 1998, and is constantly improving the quality and range of its products. The trademark sells green, white, black teas and herbal preparations with a unique combination of berries and fruits. Tea production is carried out not only in Russia, but also at the German plant Wollenhaupt GmbH. For the manufacture of unique blends, the company is purchased at auctions in China and Sri Lanka.
The collection of the brand has more than 200 items, so everyone can choose tea to their liking. The company also boasts of packaging. In addition to branded packages for buying loose tea, the manufacturer offers gift tin and glass jars, as well as exclusive wooden boxes. In addition to boxed teas, which are sold in large supermarkets, many cities have specialized departments that sell various types of tea by weight. There are different reviews, but negative ones are usually left only for the cheapest varieties of tea. The price range is very wide - there are budget and elite varieties.
The best green tea bags
Sachets, sachets and pyramids are always strictly metered and designed to produce 200 ml of a delicious drink. When brewing green tea bags, the infusion does not turn out strong, so the amount of caffeine consumed is reduced. This form of release is also popular due to its ease of use. Particles of tea leaves, various herbs and pieces of fruit do not get into the mug. Below are the brands that produce green tea bags.
4 Ronnefeldt
Tea from two top leaves and tips
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.7
The famous brand of premium tea is known for its very high quality and variety of flavors. The brand is one of the oldest - it was founded in Germany in 1823. Now it is very popular, used by many of the best restaurants and hotels in the world. The manufacturer uses only selected raw materials purchased from proven plantations in India, Sri Lanka and China. The basis of all products is the principle - to use only the top two leaves and a kidney. In total, the company's assortment includes more than 350 varieties of elite tea.
The line of green tea bags is based on selected raw materials from Chinese plantations. On sale you can see pure tastes without impurities and flavored varieties. Only natural flavors are used - berries, fruits, herbs. Some sachets are designed to be brewed in a teapot. Gourmets can choose from varieties with one taste - mint, jasmine or whole bouquets of aromas made up of citrus, cornflower petals, roses, sunflowers, mangoes. If negative reviews are found, then they are associated exclusively with the high cost of the drink. The cost of a box with 25 bags starts from 400 rubles.
3 Clippers
The best quality and naturalness
Country: UK
Rating (2019): 4.7
The Clipper tea company has been known since 1984. Its products have won the recognition of customers due to the high quality of tea made entirely from natural ingredients without the use of artificial flavors and dyes. Classic organic green tea without additives has a pleasant, very harmonious taste. Some customers who have tried real Chinese tea (purchased in China) claim that Clipper tastes very close to it.
All teas are packaged in ordinary paper bags without strings. If you break one of them, you can see a fairly small, but high-quality tea without "sticks" and any impurities. Most of the flavored line is based on citrus fruits - lemon and lime, sometimes with the addition of ginger and aloe vera. The cost of tea, depending on the store, is 200-300 rubles per box of 20 bags. The pleasure is quite expensive, but quite acceptable for a quality drink.
2 Heath&Heather
100% natural composition
Country: UK
Rating (2019): 4.7
The Heath&Heather company produces green teas consisting only of natural ingredients grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. The brand was founded in 1920 by brothers James and Samuel Reeder. To date, the best specialists of the company carefully select each ingredient, creating amazingly tasty and healthy drinks. All varieties of green tea produced by Heath&Heather are powerful natural antioxidants that help normalize metabolism.
The collection includes both classic varieties and rather interesting taste solutions. For example, with the addition of cucumber - the taste is not for everyone, but fresh and pleasant. Unusual, spicy tea with the aroma of basil will appeal to lovers of adding milk to the drink - they are very harmoniously combined. There are more standard solutions - orange peel, jasmine, mint, coconut, ginger. This tea can definitely be recommended to lovers of new tastes. The cost of a box of 20 bags starts from 300-350 rubles.
1 VKUS
Excellent quality green tea bags
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.9
The brand company was founded in Russia in 2013, but tea is produced in Morocco. Raw materials for the manufacture of various blends are brought from the best plantations in the world - from China, Japan, Ceylon, India. The tea is tested in Europe and only after a strict selection does it reach the store shelves. For tea bags, high-quality, but broken tea leaves are often used to offer customers a lower cost, but retain a decent taste and aroma of the product. Another interesting feature is the packaging in cotton bags that do not spoil the taste of the drink.
The line of green tea bags includes both classic and flavored varieties with jasmine, rose petals, and mango. The cost of a package of 20 bags starts from 500 rubles. The brand is not the most common, but very popular in narrow circles. It is considered by many to be one of the best green tea bags on the Russian market. Its taste is balanced, soft and rich at the same time, the aroma is strong, but unobtrusive.
Many people choose green tea for its beneficial properties: helping with weight loss, improving digestion, rejuvenating the body, etc. In addition, when properly brewed, this drink is very pleasant to drink. Good green tea relaxes like a glass of wine, refreshes like a cool shower, and warms like a warm sunny day.
But like wine, green tea comes in a very wide range of varieties, brands and prices. In this article, we will tell you which green tea is better to buy, how the different types differ, and how to brew this drink in order to get the maximum benefit and pleasure.
Which green tea is best? Important Features
If you are concerned about not only the taste, but also the usefulness of the product, then first of all you should give up bottled and flavored drinks. Only natural green tea, which has undergone a minimum of processing before hitting the counter, contains a lot of antioxidant catechins. For comparison, a 0.5 liter bottle contains only about 15 mg of catechins, in the same volume of flavored tea - up to 45 mg, while regular green tea has an impressive 125 mg of catechins (an average of 25%!).
What else should you pay attention to when buying?
1. Brand and price
The truth is that tea is different from tea, and you should not expect a rich and rich taste from the cheapest brands, no matter how you brew it. Good green tea is much less bitter, and much more sweet and aromatic. As a rule, it is characterized by a certain viscosity and an aftertaste that remains on the tongue for several minutes after a sip.
How is this achieved? The whole thing, of course, is in the manufacturing process.
As soon as the tea leaf is plucked from the bush, it begins to oxidize. Like the fruit of an avocado or banana after being sliced, plucked tea leaves begin to darken and eventually become black tea. To get green tea and retain as many nutrients as possible in it, you need to stop the oxidation process as soon as possible by baking in the oven, languishing and / or steaming the leaves.
How this processing was carried out ultimately decides what taste and aroma the tea you buy will have. This is no less important than the growing conditions, and it is the high quality of this processing that distinguishes the expensive products of world brands.
2. Freshness of green tea
Due to the characteristics of its production described above, green tea cannot be stored for as long as black tea. All the time of its storage, it continues to lose nutrients and taste.
If you buy green tea in bulk, try squeezing and rubbing a small amount of leaves between your fingers and smell it - the freshest teas have a grassy, almost sweet aroma.
The shelf life of packaged tea is on average 6 months from the date of packaging. In any case, remember that it retains its properties no longer than 2-3 months after opening. Store it in a dry, dark and cool place.
3. Country of origin
A study published in the Journal of Toxicology in 2013 found that most green teas contain some heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and aluminum. Organic green teas tend to contain more lead, aluminum and cadmium than regular green tea, but less arsenic. At the same time, it was noted that teas from China have the highest levels of aluminum and lead. Whereas teas from Sri Lanka score very low and teas from Japan score moderately for all four of these contaminants. In this way, Ceylon green tea by far the safest to use.
Choosing a good green tea: 8 best varieties
And yet, Japanese and Chinese tea brands today are much more promoted and popular. Take at least the latest fad of all lovers of healthy drinks - matcha green tea powder.
Let's take a look at the features of the 8 TOP varieties and types of green tea.
1. Japanese Sencha tea
Selected freshly picked leaves are steamed to stop oxidation. As a result, the tea acquires a spicy character and subtle bitterness, which is combined with the aroma of grass, pine needles and melon. Traditional asamushi (lightly steamed) sencha leaves a yellow color and a sweet smell when brewed. A newer style of steaming, fukamushi (heavily steamed), is darker in color and less aromatic, but bolder and richer in flavor. Both of these Japanese green teas are available in a wide range of prices to suit every budget.
2. Longjing or Dragon Well
The most prized, the "Famous Tea of China," Longjing has a mild and sweet aroma with almost chestnut notes. The leaves of this tea are hand-roasted in large woks to stop fermentation, and this careful roasting brings out the rich and refreshing taste of asparagus and pea shoots. Longjing Chinese green tea is also available at various prices. The highest quality product is distinguished by the fact that it was harvested in the spring and has short and dense leaves of a pale green-yellow color, sometimes with a thin layer of fluff.
3. Biluochun
Another popular (and more affordable) Chinese green tea, biluochun has a distinct flavor with a less chestnut and more vegetable flavor that is reminiscent of a dish of edamame, steamed soybean pods. Experts agree that the best biluochun green tea comes from Taiwan, where it has larger leaves and a strong, viscous flavor with hints of pineapple.
4. Gyokuro
To make this Japanese green tea, gyokuro bushes are shaded 3-6 weeks before harvest, which causes them to produce additional nutrients such as chlorophyll and theanine. This gives the tea an exceptional health, as well as an aroma and taste with a hint of seaweed. It is worth noting that this tea has fewer useful catechins, but since they give bitterness, the taste of tea only benefits from this.
5. Laoshan
A good Laoshan green tea from Shandong province has a thick texture and a refreshing spring taste with hints of green peas and creamy biscuit.
6. Houjita
This Japanese tea contains even less caffeine than most other green teas. At the same time, it is characterized by a thick woody aroma, which will definitely appeal to coffee lovers.
7. Genmaicha
Genmaicha is one of the budget options for Japanese sencha tea, supplemented with rice or sorghum for an interesting taste and aroma. This variety does not have the sweetness and viscosity of high-end sencha, but its richer character makes genmaicha a great alternative to coffee in the morning. In addition, it is able to calm the stomach well after eating.
8. Matcha
Despite the fact that this Japanese powdered tea has become fashionable in our country only now, its origin is very ancient. The practice of grinding tea into powder dates back to the Song Dynasty (circa 1000 AD). Today, matcha is made from premium gyokuro-type leaves that are carefully processed to achieve a bitter sweetness and a unique creamy texture. Since this drink loses its beneficial properties very quickly, it is best to store it in the refrigerator. You can also add it to smoothies, desserts, baked goods, and even ice cream.
How to brew green tea correctly?
Good green tea should also be properly brewed. For many varieties, there are separate cooking methods, but we will give here a classic recipe with step-by-step instructions on how best to brew green tea:
- Heat water to 70-80°C. Note that this is well below the boiling point of water, which is 100°C!
Start by heating the water until it starts to boil but not bubbling. Here its temperature is about 90 °C. Pour this water into an empty teapot and let it heat it up for 1-2 minutes. This will simultaneously lower the water temperature to 80°C.
- Pour the water from the kettle into the empty cups. This will cool her down even more.
- Measure the right amount of dry tea. The average ratio is 0.6 grams of sencha leaves for every 30 ml of water. Divide the volume of your teapot by 30 ml, and then multiply the resulting number by 0.6 g. For example, if the volume of the teapot is 300 ml, then the required amount of tea is (300/30) ml * 0.6 g = 6 g. To measure it, use a teaspoon, where an average of 4 g of tea is placed. That is, in this case, for 300 ml of water, we need 1.5 teaspoons of dry leaves.
- Pour the hot water from the cups back into the kettle (already with leaves inside) and cover it with a lid. Ordinary green tea is brewed for 1.5-2 minutes. For asamushi tea, the brewing time is about 1 minute, for fukamushi it is from 30 to 45 seconds.
- Start pouring the tea a little at a time into each cup, moving evenly from one cup to the next. When you have finished pouring, place the teapot with wet leaves so that the lid is only partially covering it. You can then re-brew this tea 2 or 3 more times, reducing the steeping time first to 1 minute and then to 30 seconds.
