China Green Tea
Straightforward, unfussy green tea from China, with less caffeine than you might expect and a clean, grassy flavor that doesn't need anything added to it.
What It Is
Green tea and black tea come from the same plant. The difference is what happens after harvest: green tea leaves are heated quickly to stop oxidation, which keeps them green and preserves a lighter, fresher flavor. China has been doing this longer than anywhere else, and the result is a tea that tastes like it looks, bright and clean, with a subtle grassy or vegetal note depending on how you brew it.
The low caffeine level makes it an easier choice across the day. It has enough to feel like something, but not enough to keep most people up if they have a cup in the afternoon.
What To Do
Use water that is hot but not boiling, around 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Boiling water makes green tea bitter. Steep one teaspoon of loose leaf per cup for two to three minutes, then pull the leaves. If you don't have a thermometer, just let your kettle sit off the boil for a minute or two before pouring.
One measure of leaves can be steeped two or three times; the second steep is often the smoothest. Store the tea in a sealed container away from light and strong smells, which it picks up quickly. It keeps well for about a year.
