Green tea is one of the most popular and widely enjoyed teas in the world, but how much do you know about it? Whether you are a newcomer to the world of green teas or a seasoned veteran looking to deepen your knowledge, we are here to clear up the most common green tea questions. From caffeine content to brewing tips, we have the go-to green tea FAQ.
What’s the Difference Between Green Tea and Black Tea?
Green tea and black tea both come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis (the tea plant). The difference between the two teas is in the processing methods. The main factor that makes these teas different is the level of oxidation the leaves have undergone.
If you've ever left a halved avocado exposed to the open air and watched it turn brown, this is the same oxidation process that takes place in tea production.
In the processing of green teas, the leaves are heated by steaming or pan roasting to stop the oxidation, helping the leaves retain their green colour. Black tea, on the other hand, is fully oxidised, and this is why you often see black tea leaves ranging in colours from brown to black.
The flavour of these teas can also be quite different. Green teas often have lighter flavours and can be described as having a marine, seaweedy, or grassy aroma and flavour. Black teas, on the other hand, typically have maltier, bolder, and woody or nutty flavour notes.
Does Green Tea Contain Caffeine?
Yes, green tea does contain caffeine, but not as much as black tea. Black tea has around 30-60 mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea has a slightly lower caffeine content, with roughly 30-50 mg per cup.
The exception to this is matcha, a green tea originating in Japan. When preparing matcha, the entire leaf is used and consumed. Regular green tea is the infusion from the leaves. This means matcha has a higher caffeine content, around 60-75 mg per cup.
Matcha is known to provide a sustained energy boost from its caffeine content, without the typical 'crash' observed from drinking coffee. This is believed to be due to the combination of other nutrients found in matcha, including L-theanine, antioxidants, catechins, and chlorophyll.
Is Green Tea Bitter?
If you've had green tea before but found that the flavour was bitter or unpleasant, it's quite likely that the green tea you had was brewed incorrectly. Green tea shouldn't be bitter or have an unpleasant flavour; it should be clean, mild, and vegetal.
If green tea is brewed too long, or brewed in water that is too hot, it will result in a less-than-ideal cuppa. We always recommend keeping an eye on your tea when brewing to ensure it doesn't go over the recommended brewing time, and using the correct measurements of tea.
How Do I Brew Green Tea?
On the topic of not overbrewing, we have a helpful guide on how to brew green tea.
Our recommended brewing method for green tea is to use one teaspoon (or 2 grams) of tea per 200 mL of water.
Use water that is 70-80°C or combine one-quarter cold water with three-quarters boiling water. Avoid pouring boiling water directly onto leaves, as this can scald them and make your tea taste bitter.
Japanese sencha teas are best steeped for 1–3 minutes, while Chinese green teas, rolled green teas, and flavoured green teas can be steeped for up to 4 minutes.
You can find detailed instructions on how to brew matcha, along with other varieties of tea, in our brewing guide.
Are There Different Types of Green Tea?
In the above brewing guide, we mentioned Japanese sencha and Chinese green teas, which are only a few of the green teas we have on offer.
Green tea doesn't describe a single tea; instead, it’s a category that encompasses a wide variety of teas, each with unique characteristics influenced by origin, processing methods, added flavours and more.
Some of our favourites include Sencha, Genmaicha, Hojicha, Gunpowder Green Tea, and Japanese Monkey King. Each of these green teas offers a different flavour profile and drinking experience.
Summary
Green tea is a complex category of tea with a long history, diverse varieties and a flavour profile that can be both delicate and bold. Understanding how to brew it properly and recognising its types can enrich your tea drinking experience. We hope that our answers have been useful and inspired you to explore the world of green tea.