Which Chinese green tea is better to buy. Green tea. Choosing tea or tea drink

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 useful qualities drink. 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. Leaves should be bright 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. The tea is packaged in a sealed tin can (with 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 - 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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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: United Kingdom
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 loose 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 is different a wide range tastes, so it is very popular with buyers.

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 Russian Empire", as well as "Golden Petals", "Black Diamond".

Also bagged black tea has a wide flavored line. For a variety of tastes, lemon is used, berries, raspberries, strawberries and currants. 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 safely be called the most the best manufacturer packaged teas, as 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. Used exclusively natural flavors- 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.

Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Its history is much longer and more colorful than coffee, and its homeland has been reliably established. Today, the production of this product is carried out in many countries of the world, but China still holds the first place in terms of quality, production volume and a special attitude towards tea drinking.

Varieties and producers

In the store you can buy bagged, small-leaf and large-leaf green tea at a variety of prices. If you focus on the cost, then in Russia you can buy a really high-quality varietal product in the range from 7 to 800 dollars per 100 grams. Moreover, Chinese elite twisted tea is the most expensive, followed by Japanese, Indonesian, Ceylon.

The largest producers, as well as tea plantations, are concentrated in China, both in the south of the country and in the north. Hundreds of types of tea are produced here, from rare and expensive to simple, affordable, designed for everyday use. Good green tea is always large-leafed, and the stronger it is twisted, the stronger the infusion will be, the more delicate the taste and the healthier the drink itself.

Green differs from black in that it almost does not go through the fermentation stage, that is, it does not oxidize under the influence of external factors and own enzymes. This allows the sheet to keep all the useful components without changing and turning into other compounds. To prevent fermentation, the harvested leaf is slightly dried under natural conditions and later subjected to high temperatures. This can be roasting in the oven, after which the leaves are manually twisted and dried completely.

Depending on the twisting option, teas are distinguished:

• strongly twisted along the sheet;
• strongly twisted across the sheet;
• slightly twisted.

If the sheet is twisted along the axis, it takes the form of twigs, sticks, spirals. This option is very popular in Japan, and a prominent representative is the famous Gekuro and most of its varieties.

Plantations in China have existed for thousands of years.

When the leaf is rolled across, it can resemble balls, scales, and is labeled Gunpowder in China and Sencha in Japan. In China, such teas are also called pearl, and if they contain many tips, they are called golden or imperial. Balls can be of different sizes and shapes, their variety is very large.

Loose-rolled tea is a product that is naturally dried, so it can look like flattened blades of grass. It either does not curl at all, or is slightly wrinkled. The most popular product is called Long Ching.

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Leaflets are twisted not only to increase their presentability. This is a way to keep the beneficial components of the tea inside longer and increase the shelf life. Slightly twisted leaves give a weak infusion, delicate, with a slight floral or citrus aroma. Strongly twisted ones are always more saturated, with a rich multifaceted aroma and taste. The color of green tea can vary from light green with a silvery sheen to dark green.

If, with proper brewing, the taste of tea is pronounced herbal, this is a low-grade product. A good and expensive product has a whole bunch of aromas from citrus to floral and light herbal, there may be a natural sweetness and honey flavor.

The most famous varieties

There are many ways in the tea industry to draw attention to a product. This is mainly beautiful packaging, an original slogan. But for many centuries there are varieties of tea that are in constant demand and love without any popularization.

Xi-Hu Long-Jing - large-leaf green tea from the island of Xihu

Below are the most important varieties of green tea that have received the mark of the best:

• Xi-Hu Long-Jing - Chinese large-leaved from Xihu Lake. Collected and produced since ancient times, today it is divided into 13 varieties, the best of which are the first three, represented by a large content of unblown buds collected in early spring. This tea has the lightest infusion color, which can be emerald green. The taste is very rich, the aroma is dense floral. It is brewed for about a minute and served in clear glasses to enjoy the subtle tinge of the infusion.
• Taiping Hou Kui is a tea that is harvested from a limited number of plantations and only on a sunny day. There are strict rules for the selection of raw materials. This is a tea bud, which is hugged by two young, freshly blossomed leaves of the same size as the bud. Such a product is called tea with sharp tea leaves.
• Bi-Lo-Chun - goes through the stage of manual twisting, from which the tea leaves take the form of small coiled spirals, which are also called snails. Inside the variety, there is a division into 7 sub-varieties, and the lower the type, the weaker the taste and aroma. When brewed, Bi-Lo-Chun gives a light emerald color of the infusion, fresh aroma, thick, rich taste. Fruity notes are felt in its taste. It is also customary to serve the drink in transparent glasses. The largest plantation is located in Jiangxi province.
• Yongwu is one of the most expensive Chinese teas. It is grown on small plantations located on wet and damp mountain slopes, where the sun's rays rarely fall. It goes to the domestic market, therefore it is rare outside the country.
• Gunpowder - tea leaves look like gunpowder balls, refers to pearl teas, is consumed very sparingly, as it has a very dense and rich taste.
• Chan-Mi is the main loose tea in China, the second name is “eyebrow”, which is derived from the shape of tea leaves. It has a classic taste and aroma, mixed with flowers, herbs and citruses.
• Huang Shan Mao Feng is the highest Chinese tea, the tea leaves have a light yellowish color, the taste is sweetish, the aroma is fresh and rich. Tea leaves resemble sparrow tongues.
• Maojian is a large group of teas, the production of which is the upper bud with a leaf. The infusion after brewing acquires an amber color, a delicate taste with a pleasant aftertaste. To get the true Maojiang for 1 cup, you need to take 2 tsp. tea leaves.
• Tien Shan Yin-hao - natural flavored jasmine tea. The infusion is light and transparent, the taste is classic, and the aroma is rich floral.
• Dong Yuang Dong Bai is a light yellow drink with a bright floral aroma and a multifaceted aftertaste.

Chinese teas are considered the most fragrant and delicate in taste. In this country, a huge number of varieties are produced, different in organoleptic properties and unimaginable in shape. Japanese teas are darker in color and less aromatic. The most popular are Sencha, Bancha and Gyokuro. The product from India is considered the lowest grade, although it is in demand due to affordable price. It can give a slight spicy flavor and aroma.

Beneficial features

Green tea is the most useful due to the content of vitamins, amino acids, essential oils, antioxidants in it. It is rich in fluorine, iodine, zinc, calcium, potassium, and antimicrobial components. It has a high biological activity, which is expressed in the following effects on the human body:

• strengthens the immune system;
• makes vessels elastic and reduces their permeability;
• heals the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract;
• activates mental and physical performance;
• useful for weight loss;
• has an antitumor effect;
• removes toxins, including salts of heavy metals;
• strengthens the skeletal system.

Green tea retains its beneficial features only if it is properly brewed. Boiling water is destructive for them. The water temperature should be from 60 to 80 degrees, and the infusion time lasts from 1 to 3 minutes. If the drink is overexposed, it can become bitter due to the high caffeine content. An important ingredient in brewing is water. It must be necessarily soft, spring, so as not to spoil the taste of the drink.

A cup of green drink promotes weight loss

You need to know when is the best time to drink this tea. This time is from morning to 16-18 pm. Green tea is a highly energizing drink, so it is not recommended in the evening. Pregnant women and children should not get involved in tea.

The best green tea

If we talk about which green tea is better, then this is a product of an early spring harvest with a lot of tips. It is considered the most fragrant, delicate in taste and useful. Such raw materials are always treated with care, excluding the possibility of spoilage, since ready-made tea is expensive and is purchased by people who know a lot about it.

The best green tea is produced in China, and has been doing this for thousands of years. Many works of Chinese sages are devoted to the benefits and beauty of the tea leaf. In Russia, 50% of the product sold on the market is purchased in China, the rest in Sri Lanka, Georgia, Vietnam, Japanese varieties are very rare.

1. Greenfield Flying Dragon is a Chinese leaf from a plantation in Hunan. Gives a light color infusion, light floral aroma with herbal notes. Does not have bitterness and astringency;
2. Princess Java Best - inexpensive Chinese with a mild taste, light infusion, good tonic;
3. Ahmad Green Tea - represented by the Chinese variety Chan Mi, which has a mild pistachio aroma. Gives a light infusion with a slight astringency.

When buying tea, you need to pay attention to the completeness of the information provided on the package. It is best to opt for loose teas, which are sold through a network of specialty boutiques. Here you can not only see tea leaves, but also taste the desired variety. It is important to check the timing of tea production, the less time has passed since the moment of collection, the more aromatic and healthy the drink will be, because a long shelf life under the wrong conditions can spoil the taste of the most expensive variety. Buying such tea is even dangerous.

Homemade green tea

In Russia, black and green tea has long been prepared from a wide variety of plant materials. Fireweed was the most popular, although using a similar technology, tea leaves can be prepared from currant leaves, cherries, raspberries, medicinal herbs. To make your own green leaf tea, you need:

• during the flowering period, collect fireweed leaves;
• spread them on a flat surface in a warm room for several hours so that they wither and lose some of the juice;
• then they are laid out on a baking sheet and sent to the oven for frying to stop the oxidation process;
• after roasting, the final drying takes place, which can be done with or without twisting the leaves by hand.

Store tea in glass or tin jars in a dark cupboard at room temperature. You can add dried currant leaves, cornflower flowers, oregano and other aromatic natural additives to them.

Irina: Green tea for me can only be pure - without aromas, pieces of fruit and other nonsense. I settled on Haleys English large-leaved. I am glad that there is never any garbage in the pack. All tea leaves are dense, even, with a pleasant aroma, not hay. The infusion is quite gentle, the taste is mild, there is no bitterness. The price is also pleasing, it is very affordable and the pack never disappears from the shelves. There are no difficulties with the search. I got used to its classic taste, it tones and refreshes well, especially in the heat in summer.

Marina: I tried Dilmah, Greenfield, Maisky, but I haven’t found better Ahmad yet. It's really delicious. I drink it without sugar, hot and cold, it tones well, has a light green aroma. I love.

Ivan: Good tea can only be bought by weight. I always check its color, aroma, sometimes I ask to be brewed for tasting. I love Chinese snail and other emerald teas.

Olga: It is difficult for an inexperienced person to distinguish cheap Indian tea, the packaging of which often indicates that it is Chinese. But it is enough to try the latter once to drink only it. It's really delicate, floral and citrus at the same time. It does not have the smell and taste of dried hay. I only order this online.

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);

China, in general, is amazing in terms of tea. It is not only the birthplace of tea - all the unique recipes, collection, processing and preparation technologies were invented there.

Tea leaves are rolled, roasted, fermented, pressed into sheets, 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.

Gunpowder - 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.

Longjing - 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.

Mao Feng - it has a soft, delicate and even sweetish floral taste. Helps relieve stress and distract from the hustle and bustle.

Every day millions of inhabitants of the planet Earth drink tea. But for some reason, we, immigrants from the Soviet Union, have nostalgic memories of that very black tea “with an elephant”, about samovars and bagels, about a tart, bitter brown drink. And now, most Russians prefer black (aka red) tea, and refuse green.

But in vain. After all, good green tea is a real treasure. In China, Japan and India, it is valued much more than other varieties. All thanks to the amazing benefits and more subtle effect that lightly fermented varieties give.

GREEN TEA IN CHINA, JAPAN, GEORGIA, INDIA, SRI LANKA

Green tea from China

The Celestial Empire is considered to be the birthplace of tea camellia: people began to drink tea here more than 4 thousand years ago. When the Chinese say "tea", they mean green tea. China is the world's main supplier of elite and rare green varieties. Four green teas are included in the famous top ten Chinese varieties.

We will talk about the types and features of Chinese green tea a little later. In the meantime, they are the most valuable representatives of other countries.

In Japan

And in Japan, only green varieties are produced. And the technology is very unusual: the tea leaf is exposed to hot steam, which gives the tea an unusual, specific taste and a darker color of the infusion. And here is a list of varieties worthy of special attention of connoisseurs:

• Senya. The volume of production is about 2/3 in Japan. Classic tea, outwardly it is a thin needles of rich green color. Its aroma is woody, the taste is sweet with a slight bitterness.
• Gekuro. It translates as "pearl drop". This is a rarer and more expensive tea. Raw materials for it are collected strictly in early spring. 20 days before picking, tea bushes are shaded, which reduces the concentration of tannin in the leaf. Thanks to this, a more delicate and sweet taste, devoid of bitterness, is achieved.
• Mattya. Exotic powdered tea, which is not only brewed, but also added to desserts. Steamed leaves are cleaned of stems and veins, and then ground into powder. Despite the strange appearance, there is nothing chemical in it. A small pinch is enough to brew: the concentration of this tea is very high.
• Genmaicha. It is a mixture of sencha and fried rice. Previously, only poor Japanese drank it: rice increased the satiety of the drink, and when salt was added, such tea was something like a first course. Everyone drinks genmaicha these days.

In Georgia

Georgian tea plantations are among the northernmost in the world. Here, green tea began to be produced in the 16th century. Now there are several dozen varieties, which are classified by numbers: from No. 10 to 125. The larger the number, the better the tea. The best of the numbered ones is No. 125, but there are varieties that are valued even more, for example, "Extra" and "Georgian Bouquet".

In the country of mountains, green tea is often produced in the form of bricks, just like Chinese pu-erh. So it is stored longer, retaining its beneficial properties.

In India

But in India, light varieties have not taken root among the locals. Small volumes are produced in the north of the country: mainly for sale to neighboring states.

In Sri Lanka

Ceylon tea… How much quality lies in this combination of words. In Ceylon (the old name of Sri Lanka), large-leaf, elite varieties of green tea are produced. The product with the romantic name "Pearl of the Ocean" stands out among them. It has a tart, floral taste, rich and very intense. Ceylon tea with an extract of soursep, an exotic fruit, is also interesting, illuminating and bright.

HOW IS GREEN TEA PRODUCED? From collection to packaging

The purpose of green tea production is to prevent leaf oxidation during the first stage of processing. Whereas black is fermented immediately after harvest.

As many varieties of green tea exist, so many unique recipes for their production. With all this diversity, there are several main stages underlying it.

Collection of raw materials

The raw materials for green tea are young flushes (from English - shoots), shamrocks. Most often, the collection begins in early spring, but the exact time depends on the particular variety. There are strict rules for collecting tea. For example, some varieties require leaves collected at a strictly defined time of day, when there is no precipitation and the established temperature regime is observed.

Steaming: 2-3 minutes

The goal is to prevent the sheet from oxidizing and to make it elastic to give the desired shape. Tea is steamed in special devices that produce hot steam (about 95-100 degrees). The leaf is placed in the equipment: just 2-3 minutes are enough for the tea to acquire new properties necessary for subsequent drying.

Drying: 10-15 minutes

After steam treatment, the leaves are dried at a humidity of 60-62%, a temperature of 90-95 degrees. Purpose: to reduce the moisture content for the next stage - twisting. Drying of the sheet is carried out in special devices.

Stranding: 60-80 minutes

In the process of twisting, the surface of the leaf is damaged and juice is released from it. If black tea is rolled intensively and for a long time, then for green tea one or two times drying is used. To do this, it is placed in special roller devices.

Drying in an oven

The final drying takes place in special ovens. Purpose: final dehydration of the leaf. As a result, the moisture content drops to 2-5%, the raw material acquires a darker, olive color.

Packing

It all depends on the standards in force at a particular plant or private sector. Often one batch is sorted into several categories according to the quality of raw materials: for example, large sheets of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd categories, small sheets of the 2nd and 3rd categories. The lowest quality is tea in the form of crumbs. It is the large leaf that is highly valued by lovers of green varieties: it gives a more fragrant, bright, rich infusion.

THE WORLD OF CHINESE GREEN TEA

Green tea is the Chinese national drink, the record holder for popularity among residents. Celestial - is the birthplace of tea in general, and green - in particular. The first mention of it in historical sources falls on the 1st century AD, during the reign of the Han Dynasty. It was at this time that the hieroglyph "cha" appeared, which originally looked like this - "荼".

For centuries, Chinese green tea was only available to the imperial family and courtiers. China remains its main producer to this day. But red varieties are less popular here.

In China, tea drinking is a ritual, a ceremony that has come down to us from Buddhist monks and has much in common with meditative and other spiritual practices. There is no doubt that green tea was the first drink for ceremonies and first appeared in China.

Historians have established that the heyday of tea culture falls on the 7th-10th centuries. Initially, green tea was used as a medicine. Many literary sources speak of the high value of tea in China: poems and treatises were written and written about it, the aphorisms of Confucius have survived to this day, who considered it the best drink "to relieve fatigue and pacify the spirit."

Taste and aroma

The most delicious thing about green tea without sugar is the feeling of superiority. I don’t know exactly whose words these are, but I’m sure this person has never tried real Chinese green tea. It is pleasant to drink it not only because of the awareness of high benefits, but also because of the delicious, exciting taste that can take you to another dimension.

“Tea bouquet is like expensive wine. It cannot be repeated, the secrets of its preparation are available only to the author.

Caitlin Turner

With all the variety of varieties of Chinese green tea, each of them has similar notes: floral, herbal, refreshing and gentle.

Early harvest tea (spring) often has a lighter aroma and sweet taste, while summer and autumn varieties have a peculiar bitterness and astringency. The infusion has a green tint: from light green to emerald green.

The best varieties of Chinese green tea: TOP 5

Is it realistic to list and try all the varieties of this limitless variety of tea? Unlikely, but why not aim for it? And you should start with the charming five of the brightest and most popular.

1. Mao Feng. This is a real jewel of the mountainous regions of Anhui Province. This tea is one of the ten most popular varieties in the world. It is harvested in early spring, when the first leaves are just beginning to bloom on the bushes. Tea processing begins on the day of collection: thanks to this, the infusion does not lose its aroma and freshness. The final stage of production is drying the leaves in ovens. The aroma of Mao Feng is pure, pronounced, its taste is transparent and light.

1. Ku ding. From Chinese, the name of tea is translated as "bitter tear". But such a sad name has nothing to do with its energy and aroma. The piercing taste is tart, even slightly bitter, but fragrant notes favorably emphasize this bitterness. Ku Ding is a real healing spring. It removes toxins from the body, normalizes blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, helps to get rid of excess weight. It is noticed that freshly brewed infusion helps to quickly eliminate a hangover.
2. longjin. This representative wins the hearts of men and women, lovers, connoisseurs and beginners who are taking their first steps in getting acquainted with Chinese tea culture. Harmonious, refined taste is saturated with floral, grassy shades, but notes of roasted pumpkin seeds come to the fore. Longjin is great as a refreshing, invigorating, everyday drink. It improves mood and sets you on a creative wave.

1. Zhu Yeqing. " The freshness of bamboo leaves "- this is how its name is translated from Chinese. This invigorating green tea has a sunny, delicate, sophisticated taste with nutty and meadow notes. Labor-intensive production and careful selection of raw materials (perfectly even young leaves are used) make Zhu Ye Qing one of the elite green varieties. This tea is for connoisseurs, lovers of elegant and sophisticated notes.
2. Bi Lo Chun. Tea with a poetic name, which translates as "emerald spirals of spring", knocks you out of the usual rhythm with its unique aroma. The raw material for it are tender young buds and leaves. Tea bushes grow among fruit trees: coincidence or not, but the taste of Bi Lo Chun is filled with fruity and floral notes, light honey shades.

COMPOSITION AND USE

Are there any foods in the world that have been studied as thoroughly as tea? I doubt. It would seem that its chemical composition has been studied from and to, but scientists still different countries do not calm down and find more and more new properties characteristic of certain varieties.

An analysis of the results of tea research showed that Chinese green tea contains 5 main components that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

5 health benefits of green tea

• Vitamins. We will not go into lengthy enumerations: it is enough to compare the concentration of vitamins in tea and other products. For example, vitamin P in one cup is 4 times more than in an orange, A is 6 times more than in carrots, and vitamin E is almost the same as in walnuts.

Impressive?

• Microelements. Drink 1-2 cups of fresh green tea daily, and say no to dietary supplements and mineral complexes. Even during processing and fermentation, all the useful material: fluorine, iodine, potassium and calcium, magnesium and even gold (though very little). Such a rich composition more than compensates for the lack of these substances in the body, and this is an excellent prevention of many diseases and loss of strength.
• Tannins. These are polyphenols, which are preserved in green varieties twice as much as in dark ones. They have a beneficial effect on the skin and digestion, which in themselves are interconnected.
• Amino acids. Green tea contains 17 amino acids, mainly glutelins, but there are also water-soluble albumins. During processing, the content of the latter increases by 10%. By the way, green tea contains more proteins than black tea. Among tea amino acids there is glutamine, which actively restores the emotional background, reduces nervous tension.
• Alkaloids. Theine, caffeine, theobromine, theophylline - we owe them for a soft but steady vigor and a restorative effect after drinking a cup of fragrant infusion.

Invigorating green tea: about tea caffeine

For some reason, many people think that black (red in Chinese) tea invigorates more than green. And this is a mistake: try drinking it at night, and you will see for yourself. The reason is the higher content of alkaloids in it, including caffeine.

“So caffeine is bad!” Many will say. Let's make some adjustments: only "coffee caffeine" (sorry for the tautology), which causes tachycardia, can cause harm, and if you overdo it with a dose, then temporary clouding of the mind and nausea. The high content of theine in green is a type of caffeine. It acts much softer, giving a steady, but not sharp vivacity, which does not entail a breakdown.

Thus, replacing coffee with tea, you get the necessary vivacity, avoiding bad side effects. However, we still do not recommend drinking green varieties at night.

Good afternoon, dear readers!

About 5 years ago, a friend gave me a beautiful tin with a picture of a dragon and the inscription “milk oolong”, saying that this is the best green tea. I have never been a fan of green tea, therefore, having put the jar in the closet, I completely forgot about its existence, until at one fine moment all the brewing was over at home. It was late, I did not want to go to the store, but I wanted tea. That's when I came across this jar.

Having brewed as recommended in the description, I received a drink of a pale yellowish-green color with a delicate creamy aroma. The taste seemed peculiar and incomprehensible to me. With this feeling, I went to bed. And in the morning I woke up with the realization that this is the most delicious tea I have ever tasted.

Thus began my acquaintance with green tea. I wanted to learn more about this wonderful drink and understand how to choose it correctly.

What is green tea and how is it different from black tea?

It turns out that green tea comes from the same plant as black tea. It's just handled differently. In the process of collecting, a couple of upper leaves are torn off, twisted and withered, after which juice appears on their surface.

From interaction with oxygen, tea leaves begin to oxidize. This process is called fermentation, which is usually expressed as a percentage. The final result depends on its intensity - it will be green tea or black.

In order to stop the oxidation process in time, tea leaves are hot dried at temperatures up to 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes or roasted. For green tea, the traditional degree of fermentation is 3 - 10%, for black - 90 - 100%.

Where is green tea grown and harvested?

China is considered the birthplace of tea, where it began to be consumed as a drink in the 5th century AD. e. and since then carefully keep all tea traditions. Extensive plantations are located on the slopes of the mountains, where the ideal microclimate allows for a rich harvest.

The green tea season is spring and summer. Tea leaves are harvested in China with particular care, taking into account the temperature and humidity of the air, and for some varieties, the time of day.

Tea has been cultivated in Japan since about the 9th century AD. e. And only green, other varieties are not produced. Most plantations are located in the southern prefectures. Tea leaves are harvested at different times of the year, for individual varieties, along with twigs.

Sometimes the bushes are shaded with bamboo or straw canopies to limit the process of photosynthesis. This technology is required by some types of Japanese green tea. Leaves are harvested manually and mechanically.

Tea production is quite developed in Sri Lanka. Green tea has been grown here since the middle of the 19th century. Plantations are located in the southern part of the island, high in the mountains. It is usually collected by women. As a result of such a laborious method, elite varieties are obtained that are in demand all over the world.

Since the end of the 19th century, green tea has been cultivated in Georgia as well. A variety of Georgian varieties have been popular since Soviet times. The main plantations are located in the northwest. The mild warm climate allows harvesting from May to September. For green tea, manual assembly technology is used.

How green tea is packaged

After collection and processing, the tea leaf is sorted. The same batch can be divided into large-leaf and small-leaf varieties, as well as tea crumbs. The packages of tea are laid out in special workshops according to strictly regulated technology.

The quality of the packaging depends on the safety of the tea leaves themselves, and their beneficial properties. The container material is the most diverse: wood, metal, glass, foil paper. The standard package volume of loose leaf tea varies from 25 to 250 g, ground tea for filter bags - from 2 to 4 g.

Rating of the world's most popular tea varieties

Chinese green tea

We can talk endlessly about Chinese tea brands, as they are traditionally of excellent quality. The country with the richest tea traditions supplies the whole world with this magical drink and teaches us the culture of tea drinking.

Longjing

Longjing is considered the most popular variety. We can say that this is a national treasure, its history goes back more than 1,000 years. The leaves are flat and even, elongated, have an olive tint and a unique aroma.

The drink that is obtained from it is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, calcium, fluorine and magnesium, vitamins B and C. It invigorates and tones, increases efficiency, and slows down the aging process. It is chosen by true connoisseurs and connoisseurs of Chinese tea.

Chun Mi

This most exported variety of Chinese green tea is very popular in Europe. It belongs to the premium segment, but at the same time it is inexpensive, strong, has a tart taste and a bright floral aroma. The crescent-shaped leaves, when brewed, give an amber-colored drink.

Gunpowder

Shiny leaves, twisted into small balls, resemble a fraction. When brewed, the drink turns bright yellow, with a taste of mint, honey and hints of pepper. This is one of the most popular varieties in the world.

Japanese green tea

The Japanese produce green tea mainly for the domestic market. Only a small part of it is exported.

Senya

Sencha is the most widely used green tea in Japan. Pistachio-colored leaves are tightly twisted into the thinnest tubes. When brewed, the drink turns out to be a pale green color with a delicate woody aroma and a sweetish, moderately tart taste.

Gyokuro

One of the elite Japanese varieties. The one whose bushes are shaded three weeks before harvest, due to which the amount of tannin in the leaves is reduced, and the drink ceases to be bitter, acquiring a mild taste and delicate aroma.

matcha

This type of tea is considered exclusively Japanese drink. Tea leaves after special treatment are ground into a powder, which is whipped with a whisk when brewing. Thick foam on the surface of the drink is its characteristic feature. The taste of this tea is unlike any other. To understand what it is about, you must definitely try it. In Europe, this tea is chosen by lovers of the exotic.

Ceylon green tea

Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of organic organic tea cultivation. Large batches of elite Ceylon varieties are distributed all over the world, and the image of a lion with a sword on the packaging guarantees impeccable quality.

Pearl of the Ocean

Such a romantic name is a variety of green large-leaf tea from Sri Lanka. The leaves are not strongly twisted, bloom beautifully when brewed, saturating the drink with a tart taste and exquisite floral aroma.

Green with soursop

This exotic variety is distinguished by the specific processing of the tea leaf. After twisting, fermenting and drying, the leaves are soaked in sausep juice extract. It is such a tropical fruit with fragrant, creamy flesh that ripens on trees about 9 meters high and is widely used in cooking.

The finished drink has a pronounced fruity aroma of strawberries and pineapple, a pleasant astringency and a rich aftertaste.

Georgian green tea

Georgian green tea has a lot of fans. The range is quite rich - about 20 varieties and it continues to expand. In addition to decent quality, Georgian tea has a very affordable price.

Bouquet of Georgia

This is the best Georgian green tea. Assembled mainly by hand and meets international quality standards. For the most complete disclosure of the bouquet of this variety, it is recommended to warm the teapot before brewing.

Green Extra

This large-leaf tea is almost not inferior in taste to the Bouquet of Georgia. The drink is quickly brewed and turns out to be strong, rich, with a pronounced aroma of fresh herbs.

Special varieties of green tea

Separately, it is worth mentioning varieties whose fermentation does not quite correspond to green species.

White

White tea has a degree of fermentation of 3 - 5%. Young buds with white pile and unopened upper leaves are harvested from the bushes. The collected raw materials are only slightly withered and dried almost immediately. As a result of such gentle processing, all valuable microelements and vitamins are preserved in the leaves as much as possible.

The finished drink contains essential oils, polyphenols and has a number of healing qualities:

• neutralizes the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays;
• removes excess fluid;
• speeds up metabolism;
• reduces the risk of developing cancer;
• cleans blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.

White tea belongs to the elite varieties, produced mainly in China. The most popular variety is White Peony.

Oolong

Oolong is a cross between green and black tea. The degree of its fermentation is from 20 to 50%. Oolongs are a family of unique, fragrant, rich teas that can withstand repeated brewing. The most famous representative of this variety is milk oolong.

There is no consensus on its production. It is believed that a characteristic creamy shade can be obtained in different ways:

1. Water the tea bushes with a solution of natural milk. Thus, by the time of harvesting, the leaves are gradually saturated with a slight milky flavor. This is the most expensive way, but the tea in the end is the most healthy and delicious.
2. Soak the collected tea leaves over milk steam. This is a cheaper and faster processing method, but the taste practically does not suffer from this.
3. Add artificial cream flavor to tea leaves. This is the most economical and common way, but conscientious manufacturers try to use high-quality raw materials and safe flavors.

Milk oolong is produced mainly in Taiwan. In mainland China, flavored teas are not drunk, preferring the natural taste of natural tea leaves.

Pu-erh

The technology of its manufacture contains a special stage: the leaves processed in the traditional way are pressed into round plates and placed for long-term storage, during which fermentation continues, but with the participation of special microorganisms.

This stage can last from 10 to 30 years, as a result of which Shen Pu-erh acquires a unique aroma and unique medicinal properties:

• stimulates the adrenal glands
• removes heavy metals
• improves digestion;
• stabilizes sugar levels in diabetes,
• relieves fatigue.

Choosing green tea

Choosing the right tea is not so difficult. Let's pay attention to some points.

Colour

The color of the tea leaves is important. It can be used to judge the quality of raw materials. It must first of all be homogeneous. All shades of green are allowed, as well as pistachio and olive. There should be no brown and gray blotches, this is a sign of violations of the production or storage technology.

White tea leaves can be very light, with a silvery tint, and oolong tea leaves can be rich green or even emerald.

Smell

If you can smell the tea leaves, this will help you navigate the choice of a quality product. Tea is a shrub that grows on the ground, so tea leaves absorb the aromas of the surrounding nature. Meadow herbs, cherry branches, tree bark, berries, vanilla, orchid, walnut, lotus... The palette is truly limitless.

There is an opinion that real green tea has a subtle smell of fish due to its high protein content. That's a moot point. Tea is a “young” product, ideally it should not be older than a year, and the presence of a fishy smell may indicate a violation of the shelf life.

The sharp smells of fragrances, in particular, jasmine, should alert you especially. Extraneous additives often hide low-grade, cheap raw materials.

High-quality green tea without additives smells like dried herbs, and when brewed, it smells like fresh herbs. Additives only unobtrusively shade the natural aroma.

Leaf size and shape

Tea leaves can vary in shape and size, depending on the variety and maturity of the leaf itself. Large, elongated, with a pointed tip, shorter and stiffer, or completely unblown buds - each type of collected leaf has its own purpose.

large leaf

Large-leaf green tea consists of whole oval leaves twisted into spirals or lumps. When brewed, they bloom and take on their original shape.

A whole tea leaf retains natural essential oils better and releases them more fully into the infusion. Choosing large-leaf tea leaves, you get a rich taste and aroma, as well as the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals.

small leaf

In the production of large-leaf tea, waste inevitably appears: fragments of leaves and twigs, leaves that do not fit in size. From such raw materials, small-leaf tea is obtained, which is brewed faster and has a more tart taste.

packaged

After sorting and sifting loose leaf tea, tea crumbs are formed. Part of the leaves that do not fit the large-leaf category in shape and size is crushed and, together with tea crumbs, is used in the production of tea bags.

It is believed that such tea is of poor quality. This is not entirely true. Many tea manufacturers use high-quality raw materials for tea bags, and this is immediately felt on the palate.

The program “Test Purchase” conducted its own study of packaged green tea presented on the Russian market. What came of it, see the video.

Where can I buy

In order for the drink obtained after brewing not to disappoint, you should pay attention to the place where you are going to buy tea leaves. After all, proper transportation and compliance with storage conditions at the point of sale are important for preserving all the valuable qualities of the tea leaf.

Specialty stores

To be able to assess the quality of green tea, it is best to buy it in specialized stores where it is sold by weight. Loose brew is easier to see, smell and choose the best one for your taste. As a rule, experienced consultants work in stores who will tell you about the merits of a particular variety and help you make the right choice.

Internet

Personally, I buy tea on AliExpress. Of course, you can’t smell it there, and the description is rather meager, but there is a large selection. When ordering, you need to pay attention to the seller's rating and the reviews that come from different parts of the world. The product description must contain a photo and available packaging volumes.

Good green tea is expensive everywhere, so do not look on AliExpress budget options High Quality. Before placing an order, see what else the seller has to offer. If, apart from tea, all sorts of things that are not related to the tea ceremony, then it is better to look for another supplier.

The risk when ordering is minimal. Chinese stores selling through AliExpress cooperate with large factories that have certificates and comply with product quality and safety standards.

The delivery is flawless, the package arrives in a secure package, and you can enjoy real Chinese tea straight from China.

Supermarkets

Buying green tea from supermarkets is the least preferred option. In this case, you can only rely on the information indicated on the package. By external signs, it is unlikely that you will be able to choose the right option, since the tea presented on the shelves of supermarkets is usually packaged in opaque boxes. What is there content - remains a mystery until the very moment of brewing.

How to brew green tea

To fully enjoy this wonderful drink, you should brew it correctly and follow a few basic recommendations.

Dishes

Brewing utensils should be earthenware, ceramic or glass. No metal parts are allowed in teapots. The most preferred option is a clay teapot, since clay allows the drink to “breathe”, does not enter into any chemical reactions and provides optimal temperature conditions.

Temperature

Green tea does not require boiling water. Depending on the variety, the temperature of the water for brewing ranges from 65 to 90 degrees. For teas of light varieties and a low degree of fermentation, water of 60 - 65 degrees is enough. For oolongs and pu-erhs, a higher temperature is used - 80 - 90 degrees.

Green tea can be brewed multiple times without loss of quality. This is not only allowed, but also recommended, because from strait to strait, the tea leaf gives off new shades of aroma and taste. When re-brewing, the water temperature is increased by 5 degrees.

Time

In order for green tea to become healthy drink, you need to observe the brewing time. Oolongs and traditional green tea are brewed for 1 minute, white - 3 minutes. Pu-erh, in general, must be handled very carefully, just 30 seconds is enough to obtain the desired degree of tea leaves. If overdone, bitterness will appear.

How to store green tea at home

Once the choice of variety is made, you need to think about the storage of green tea. How to do this so that it does not lose its useful properties? Sealed opaque jars made of wood, tin or ceramics are best suited. The lid must be tightly closed so as not to allow foreign odors or moisture to enter.

Tea leaves dry out at high temperatures, so you need to choose a cool, dark place for storage, away from spices and foods that have a strong aroma.

Conclusion

In recent decades, green tea has become increasingly popular in Europe and America. People strive to lead a healthy lifestyle and choose green tea for its most valuable properties.

This is a whole set of vitamins necessary for our body: A, B, C, PP, and trace elements: potassium, magnesium, zinc, fluorine, and other essential substances: amino acids, caffeine, essential oils, tannin, catechins.

This amazing drink has bactericidal properties, is used to prevent a heart attack, helps protect brain cells from changes caused by Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, improves metabolism, tones up. This is far from a complete list.

There are many varieties of green tea. Which one is the best? The one you like, dear readers.

The older generation will remember with nostalgia black tea in the “package with an elephant” as a symbol of the USSR era. It was Indian, or a mixture of Georgian and Indian tea, and was a welcome purchase for any family. Millions of people drink tea every day. Buying its different varieties, they are looking for the ideal tea for themselves: which one will be the best? Black, maybe green? How to choose when the classification of tea is so huge that it is simply impossible to try everything? A test purchase of the most popular brands will help you rank 2016 and decide on the choice of this tasty, healthy drink.

Black or green tea?

Green and black tea can be obtained from the leaves of one bush. The difference in color, taste, useful properties is achieved by the fermentation time of the leaves.

Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation, due to which it retains a unique set of vitamins and elements.

For black tea, the leaves are subjected to maximum fermentation, which allows you to get a rich color, tart and bright taste of the drink.

Numerous disputes in favor of choosing black or green tea do not have a clear answer. Both drinks can benefit or harm the body.

Black tea is useful because it:

• has a long-term invigorating effect, due to which the work of the brain is enhanced;
• improves blood circulation, promotes cleansing of toxins;
• normalizes the digestive process;
• optimizes the general condition of the body.

However, all the beneficial properties of black tea can turn into harm if consumed excessively or improperly prepared.

It is interesting that green tea appeared in our country almost on a par with black, but it did not gain much popularity. Over time, its supply from China completely stopped. The second wave of green tea coming to Russian market happened 20 years ago, and now green tea has firmly established itself in the Russian market and found its fans.

Green tea has the following benefits:

• strengthens and supports blood vessels;
• characterized by antibacterial properties;
• has a positive effect on the liver;
• promotes rejuvenation of the body.

A large amount of green tea, brewing it too strong, drinking it at inopportune periods can neutralize all the beneficial characteristics of this drink.

Advice. There is no definite exact answer to the question: which tea is better to drink - black or green? To reap the benefits, it is recommended to consume both of these drinks in moderation.

Russian tea market

The tea market in Russia is represented mainly by multi-brand manufacturing companies:

• the Orimi-trade company produces teas "Princess (Java, Kandy, Nuri, Gita)", Greenfield, Tess;
• Unilever produces tea under the brands Lipton, Brooke Bond, Beseda;
• May owns trade marks May Tea, Lisma, Curtis;
• Sapsan produces tea under the brands Akbar, Gordon, Bernley.

Trademarks are also widely known: Ahmad Tea, Hilltop, Riston, Dilmah, Maitre, "The Same".

How to choose the best tea: selection criteria

When choosing the best tea, you need to digress from the design of its packaging and look at the labeling.

In accordance with Russian GOST, the quality of tea is determined by its grade: bouquet (highest quality), highest grade, first, second and third grades.
International marking is a matrix and includes 10 quality indicators for the texture of a tea leaf and 7 indicators characterizing its properties.

So, the best large-leaf tea will be marked with the letters:

1. F (Flowery) - tea from slightly blossoming buds, the best tea.
2. P (Pekoe) - tea from tea buds and the first two leaves.
3. O (Orange) - tea from young leaves.
4. T (tippy) - exclusive tea from tea buds, the most expensive.
5. G (golden) - tea containing yellow tips (buds).
6. S (special) - tea, exclusive for any characteristic.

In addition to labeling, you should pay attention to the tea material itself:

• brewing for black tea should have an almost black color without gray and brown shades, for green - there should not be leaves of white or bright green color;
• tea leaves should be the same without twigs, dust and tea trifles;
• "wire" (strongly twisted) leaves characterize the degree of fermentation and the quality of tea. For green tea, weak leaf curl is not an indication of poor quality;
• the smell should be pleasant, without foreign odors;
• high-quality tea should be fresh, the best - from 1-2 monthly leaves. Tea material quickly loses its beneficial properties and aroma;
• the packaging must be sealed with an indication of the composition, expiration date, manufacturer in Russian.

All tea sold in the Russian mass market is collected by special machines, therefore, at best, tea labels Orange or Orange Pekoe are presented on the shelves. Tea from tea buds will be exclusive and expensive; it is not widely sold.

Attention! Tea bags are the lowest quality. It is made from the waste of tea production, tea dust. Such a drink will not be useful.

Test purchase: tea rating 2016

Based on the results of the control purchase, a rating of leaf tea was compiled. The ratings were given taking into account appearance tea leaves, based on the aroma, taste, color of brewed tea, in addition, the samples were checked for compliance with the compositions and varieties declared on the package.

• 1 place. Ahmad tea Ceylon Tea high mountain, grade FBOPF
• 2nd place. Greenfield Golden Ceylon, variety bouquet
• 3rd place. Riston Premium English Tea, premium
• 4th place. Akbar Purple Alexandrite, Grade OP
• 5th place. Dilmah Ceylon, premium
• 6th place. Maisky, the highest grade is declared on the packaging. According to experts, tea corresponds to grade 2. Tea leaves of lamellar structure, not twisted enough

Chai Ahmad is the leader of the test purchase

The first place, according to consumers, belongs to Ahmad tea black leaf tea. This tea has the ability to form a clear, bright-colored infusion, has a pleasant taste and pure aroma. The organoleptic indicators of all samples were on top, the content of harmful impurities was not detected.

According to lovers of green leaf tea, a rating was made taking into account the smell, taste, color of the brewed infusion, as well as the appearance of tea leaves, the presence of impurities.

• 1 place. Greenfield Flying Dragon
• 2nd place. Tess style
• 3rd place. Ahmad tea Green Tea
• 4th place. Princess Java Traditional
• 5th place. Lisma Tonic
• 6th place. Maitre Vert Mountain

Greenfield Flying Dragon tea consumers preferred Greenfield Flying Dragon tea as it has a refreshing, pleasant, mild taste, a clear greenish color and a delicate floral aroma.

Fragrant, tart, the color of dark transparent amber, black tea is able to gather for round table the whole family. Fresh, soft, light jade-colored green tea will perfectly quench your thirst on a summer day. The traditions of tea drinking in Russia are strong, so the choice of the best tea, whether black or green, is always relevant. With a focus on quality features, labeling, packaging, this choice will be made correctly.

The best tea according to the "Test purchase" version - video