Types of Green Tea: Which Green Tea Is Better to Buy?
Today, most Ukrainians prefer classic black tea, avoiding green tea. But this is a missed opportunity. The best green teas grown in China’s tea provinces are a true treasure, offering not only delicate, exquisite flavors and aromas but also rich medicinal properties that positively affect the body as a whole. Its production technology involves preventing oxidation of the leaf at the initial stage. When brewed, the elastic tea leaves provide a delightful aroma and captivating taste with a sense of superiority.
Logically, one might ask: "Which green tea is better?" and "How to choose green tea?" To answer, first decide for yourself: do you want to prefer questionable raw materials sold cheaply in supermarkets or pay a bit more to purchase the most delicious green tea grown in the tea provinces of the Celestial Empire? If you’re interested in the latter — keep reading…
Which green tea is best to drink? There is no such thing as "the best green tea." It is logical to say the best is the one you like the most. According to green tea rankings, tasty green tea is considered the spring harvest — it is light, slightly sweet, with a mild bitterness. Analyzing the topic of "best green tea ranking," the top spots for popularity are "Dragon Well" and "Emerald Spring Spirals." These are true "imperial" varieties with noble flavor and aromatic properties, having floral and fruity notes.
If you look at the list of "types of Chinese green tea," you will be amazed by the variety. There are loose-leaf and tied varieties that allow you to enjoy the stunning beauty with every brewing of a new "flower." This amazing play inside a glass teapot impresses everyone and leaves a lifelong impression. You don’t have to be a connoisseur to appreciate the unfolding leaves and flowers, which show the naturalness of the colors.
Of course, to choose, you should try several kinds and prefer the one you like. But there are important aspects to consider. It is important to remember that quality green tea cannot be chosen solely based on price. First of all, pay attention to the type of raw material (tea leaves should be approximately the same size) and the absence of foreign particles (no broken twigs, crumbs, or dust). Now, the interesting part…
How to Choose Green Tea Properly?
Natural green tea is green loose-leaf tea. Elite green tea varieties grown in China are exclusively large-leaf green tea with uniform leaves. Handpicked and processed elite Chinese tea will never be crushed or sold in tea bags. The best varieties have large leaves with slight oxidation. They may be straight or twisted but always whole.
Chinese tea companies also offer medium-leaf and small-leaf varieties (with broken leaves), but their price is significantly lower. Don’t think they are "bad." They are good in their own way, but large-leaf green tea is the best, elite, "cool," expensive, and rare. It consists of tips — unopened buds and young leaves. The more buds in the raw material, the higher the grade and the tastier, more aromatic, and richer in healing properties the tea.
If you search for "types of green tea," you will be surprised by their diversity and beautiful names. Admit it, there is something romantic and attractive in "Dragon Well" or "Emerald Spring Spirals" that makes you want to try the drink quickly and understand why it got its name. Note that many green tea varieties were once available only to imperial family members and their close associates. Today, everyone has the unique opportunity to enjoy what was once reserved for the chosen few. Isn’t it nice to realize you can afford a drink that centuries ago was only on the Chinese emperor’s table? A little mystery and fairy tale never hurt anyone…
To the question "What is a good green tea?" we answer — each is wonderful in its own way! One captivates with delicate taste, another with floral aromas with a note, for example, of jasmine.
Green Tea Varieties
China impresses with the diversity of tea varieties. What is a varietal Chinese tea? It is raw material grown in a specific region, harvested at a specific time of year, time of day, from a particular tea bush variety, produced by its own technology. If any parameter is missing or different — the tea has a different name.
Popular classic green tea varieties in the global market:
- The most delicious, elite, and expensive Chinese green tea is Long Jing, known as the "imperial tea." Enjoying its aristocratic character is a true pleasure! Its delicate floral taste and aroma have won millions, including Europeans.
- Bi Luo Chun — twisted leaves resemble snail shells. In water, they unfold into leaves and tender buds. The taste is fresh, light, and slightly tart.
- Mao Feng — captivates with a soft, delicate, sweet floral taste and refreshing aroma with light fruity notes.
- Gunpowder — appears as tightly rolled leaves in small balls. It has a strong, tart taste and pleasant aroma.
Many Ukrainians prefer original varieties, including:
- Chinese green tea with jasmine, featuring an elite taste with fruity notes and a distinct floral aroma that immerses you in the warmth of spring and summer and good mood.
- Chinese green tea Milk Oolong — a charming drink with a sweet caramel-cream taste accompanied by lightness and vivid aroma.
By taste, green varieties are divided into:
- refreshing,
- tart,
- floral spicy,
- floral delicate.
Which green tea to buy? Only you can decide! Don’t rush to conclusions based only on this information or online reviews. Try several varieties. Brew dry leaves correctly, using the appropriate water temperature. The brewing method is simple and requires no special skills. A few infusions — and you will notice the differences between varieties.
What are the benefits of green tea?
Many are skeptical about authentic Chinese tea. Unjustly so. You can talk for hours about the benefits of green tea. Its chemical composition seems fully studied, but over time scientists discover new properties that positively affect the human body. One thing is certain: the best green tea is a treasure trove of vitamins, microelements, tannins, amino acids, and alkaloids. 1–2 cups of properly brewed Chinese green tea positively influence:
- Appearance and youth: lovers of healing elixirs have healthy skin and shiny hair. Antioxidants prevent cancer and slow aging at the cellular level. This doesn’t mean "Dragon Well" or "Freshness of Bamboo Leaves" will turn a 60-year-old woman into a 20-year-old beauty, but regular use helps preserve what you have and slow degradation.
- Bones and teeth (regular replenishment of calcium, potassium, fluorine, iodine, magnesium). Today, bone health issues affect not only the elderly but also young people, so a cup of fragrant drink a day won’t harm even a child.
- Cardiovascular health. Daily intake is an excellent prevention of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
- Digestion: quality tea normalizes gastrointestinal tract function and speeds food digestion. A light infusion can be consumed even with stomach ulcers.
- Weight loss. Delicious green tea eliminates hunger, cleanses the body of toxins and waste, helping you lose weight and look attractive. It contains no calories.
- Nervous system. Each green tea variety invigorates. The reason is a high content of theine (a form of caffeine). It provides a gentle, sustained alertness without sharp ups and downs. The best time to drink is at lunch. After a heavy meal at 1–2 pm, people often want to nap. A cup of freshly brewed green tea removes drowsiness, energizes, and helps concentrate. Not recommended to drink on an empty stomach before bedtime, though tea also relieves nervous tension and calms.
Which green tea to choose? You decide. In any case, you can be 100% sure that all Chinese elite green teas have healing properties that positively affect overall health.
Where to buy green tea?
The easiest question — where to buy green tea? No need to fly to the Celestial Empire (although it’s fascinating!). Just contact our specialized tea online store "Miy Chay." A few minutes — and the order is placed. Our consultants will answer all your questions and help you choose. Our specialists live the tea life and treat every client not just as a customer but as a member of our friendly "tea family," appreciating the flavor and aroma of exquisite Chinese green teas.
Note: The answer to "which green tea is better" or "which green tea to buy" is also in the tea leaf color. The blend should be green with various shades and uniform tone — otherwise, the raw material consists of leaves from different years, which is unacceptable for elite teas!
Quality green tea should smell pleasant and be properly packed. No foreign odors! Only grassy and slightly bitter aroma.
The best green tea offers a pronounced aftertaste with hints of "milky," "honey," or "herbal"…
The store "Miy Chay" offers not only fresh raw materials but also helps you create your own tea map that improves your health. If it’s hard to understand at first — remember, you have us and our professionals!