Chinese Green Teas

Chinese Green Teas

Chinese tea originated five thousand years ago. One legend tells the story of a Chinese emperor called Shen Nung, who had a routine of boiling water before drinking it. He first tasted green tea after a tea blossom fell into his cup of hot water by accident. He was so pleased with its taste that he ordered that the small tea trees be planted in the palace's gardens to establish a tea drinking tradition at the Chinese royal court.

China is still the biggest tea producer globally and produces tons and tons of our favourite drink each year. China's unique and varied topography creates distinctive climates that contribute to different flavours in natural and flavoured teas. From the ice-capped mountains to the sub-tropical green forests, China's many landscapes are intrinsic to the vast range of teas produced there.

Like oolong and black tea, Green tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, to produce green tea, the process undergoes different withering and oxidation to create it. As a result, several varieties of green tea are created and dependent on growing conditions, production processes, and time of harvest. Some green teas are grown in the sun and others in the shade. Green tea plants are harvested around three times a year, produced in rows and pruned to harvest shoots in the standard way.

Green tea gets its name from the emerald, green colour created when brewing unprocessed, unfermented tea leaves. Green tea does contain caffeine but compared to an equal amount of coffee, it is far less, but it can still act as a stimulant. Because tea acts as a brain stimulant, some people find that drinking green tea increases energy levels, concentration and mood.

We've selected our favourite Chinese green tea for you to try. Some you'll recognise while others may become a delightful discovery.

You can discover our full Chinese green tea range here

Gu Zhang Mao Jian Organic – Loose-leaf Tea

This superb Chinese green tea has a unique character with a rounded, gentle sweetness.

Incredibly, and what makes this tea special is that the delicate tea buds and leaves are only be picked ten days a year. This short harvest creates a cup that is slightly sweet and refreshing.

Certified organic, our Gu Zhang Mao Jian green tea is unique and delicate.

Green Jade Snail Organic – Loose-leaf Tea

An excellent tea from the Dongzhai tea garden in China, our organic Green Jade Snail tea is handpicked at harvest. The tea leaves are slightly withered, then placed in a hot pan and turned continuously until soft and smooth. The snail-like finish is achieved by hand-rolling the leaves.

This elegant tea has a delicate sweetness with subtle fruity notes while retaining depth and strength.

Joy of Tea Morning Dew- Tea Bags

Our Morning Dew is a green tea is gently scented with mango and citrus. One of our best-sellers, our customers, loves this tea. Morning Dew has a charming composition, made up of large leaf sencha with a delicately fruity aroma and petals, making this tea a delicious green tea.

Sweet Pi Lo Chun Organic– Loose-leaf Tea

Pi: Colour of the tea (green like an emerald)

Lo: Shape of the leaves (tiny snails)

Chun: Spring (harvest time)

Our Sweet Pi Lo Chun is another delightfully light green tea with hints of natural fruitiness.

A firm favourite in China, it is grown at the Qingshan tea garden situated in the Chinese province of Hunan. The tea garden is set in the mountains at an altitude of around 750m. And of the 200 families living in the area, 148 are involved in producing it.

Our Pi Lo Chun boasts a bright yellow-green cup colour with finely tart and sweet nuances and finishes on a light floral note.

Joy of Tea Lung Ching – Tea Bags

Our Lung Ching is a rare and mildly tangy spring green tea from Zhejiang Province.

The large teabag provides all the space these lovely teas need to unfurl and deliver their flavour.

Each teabag has an innovative clip to hold it in place on your cup or mug while brewing. It is individually wrapped in an aroma protection sachet for perfect freshness.

Green Ginger and Lemon – Loose-leaf Tea

Our Green Ginger and Lemon loose-leaf tea is a refreshingly citrusy infusion with fiery ginger and zingy lemon. A perfectly balanced blend of Chinese green sencha tea with enlivening fire and fruit. The tea is an elegant and fresh sencha tea with real ginger pieces, lemon peel and sunflower blossoms.

Jasmine Xian Yu - Loose-leaf Tea

Our Jasmine Xian Yu is an award-winning green tea enhanced with jasmine flowers. The freshly picked jasmine blossoms offer this Chinese green tea a wonderfully delicate, sweet and flowery character.

Teavelope Classic Green Organic - Teabags

Our organic Classic Green Teavelope is a no-fuss, refreshing and delicate tea with grassy-sweet notes.

Perfect on the go, each Teavelope teabag is individually wrapped in an aroma protection sachet for perfect freshness.

How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Loose-Leaf Green Tea

To make the perfect cup of green tea, make sure that you pour only boiled water that has cooled slightly to 80-85 Celsius. This ensures that the tea tips do not burn when brewing.