It's All About Tea — green tea

Green tea is the most enjoyed tea in China, Japan and Korea. It was such an important part of the culture in China that the New Year was marked by the emperor drinking his first cup of first flush green tea. While it is one of the least processed of all tea types, it still requires precise technique and knowledge to make. Huang Shan Mao Feng is one of those green teas that wonderfully portrays to us the skills of the tea masters. If made correctly, it is a sweet, refreshing tea, with notes of chestnuts and spring florals, possessing plenty of cha qi. (Read more)

Longjing Dragon Well Green Tea is one of the most longed for teas hailing from China. West Lake Dragon Well Green Tea is known as one of China's top ten teas. It is frequently served to VIP guests and heads of states who are visiting China. How did it earn such a position? And what makes it unique? Let's find out! (Read more)

The first harvest of the year is always the same — early spring green tea and white tea. We already know that all teas come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. Moreover, early spring green tea, as well as white tea, are often times harvested on the exact same day. Many experienced tea drinkers struggle to find the difference between the two teas. So what actually makes them different? (Read more)

Let's take an in-depth look at matcha vs. green tea. Yes, technically matcha is stone-ground powdered green tea. But we cannot take the green tea leaves we have sitting in our cupboard and grind those up. Matcha tea processing is a complex tradition that is hundreds, even thousands, years old. The amount of people who know how to process matcha vs. those who process other types of green tea is quite limited. Even the tea leaves used for preparing the powder require special growth conditions. So let's discuss what makes both matcha powder and Japanese green tea so unique in their own way.  (Read more)

Hojicha (焙じ茶) is a Japanese roasted green tea – warm, nutty, and low in caffeine. Unlike most Japanese teas, which are steamed to preserve their fresh, grassy character, hojicha goes through an additional step: high-heat roasting that transforms the leaf from green to reddish-brown, eliminates bitterness, and produces a caramel-like aroma that fills the room. Most hojicha is made from kukicha – stems and stalks – which is why its caffeine content is among the lowest of any true tea. One of Japan's most beloved everyday drinks, and an excellent choice for evenings. (Read more)