If you’re a true green tea lover, it’s no surprise that you enjoy trying new flavours whenever you get the chance. You may have drunk a lot of green teas available out there. However, there are some types of green tea that you may not have tried or even heard of before.
The best part is that all of these green teas are healthy and have their distinct flavour that will make you go wow.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best green teas available around the world.
Also read: 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea
11 Best types of green tea
Matcha
Matcha is a powdered green tea that has been used as a traditional Japanese tea for centuries. It is a very fine powder created from leaves of green tea plant called Camellia sinensis.
It has a unique processing method that gives it its distinct flavour and health benefits.
Matcha tea is frequently referred to as a meal replacement because it contains many of the vitamins and nutrients that your body requires. Also, it is high in antioxidants and L-Theanine, a chemical that promotes relaxation.
If you are looking for a healthy way to enhance your diet, you have to try this tea.
Benefits of Matcha:
- High in antioxidants
- Improve brain function
- Good for the liver
- Promote better health
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea variety, also known as brown rice tea. It is most common in Japan and the US. The tea is a mixture of green tea leaves and roasted brown rice.
The roasted rice used in making genmaicha gives it a unique, nutty flavour, and the green tea gives the flavour spiciness and balance.
It is typically consumed in the afternoon in Japan, often following a large lunch. Most people frequently regard it as a healthier alternative to coffee.
Benefits of Genmaicha:
- Easy to drink
- Make stomach feel better
- Great source of antioxidants
- Good for relaxation
Hojicha
If you are a regular green tea drinker, you probably heard of hojicha green tea.
Hojicha (also known as roasted green tea) is the type of green tea that has been roasted instead of steamed. It is made from bancha or sencha green tea leaves that are roasted over charcoal. This way, the leaves get roasted but not burned.
Some people enjoy the mild roasted flavour, while others use it as a coffee replacement. On the other hand, this tea may take some getting used to, but if you’re looking for something new, you should give it a try.
Benefits of Hojicha:
- It helps with headaches.
- Relieve stomach aches
- Low caffeine
- Beneficial to your skin
- Enhances the immune system
Also read: Top 6 Skin Benefits of Green Tea for You
Sencha
Sencha green tea is a popular choice among many tea lovers. The leaves for this tea are harvested from the same plant that produces matcha.
This tea has a dark color and a flavour that is bold and rich. It can be prepared in various ways and is usually served alongside a meal rather than alone.
In Japan, it is frequently consumed hot and at all hours of the day. It contains moderate to low levels of caffeine and can provide a nice boost without keeping you awake at night.
Benefits of Sencha:
- Antioxidant-rich source
- Boost energy levels
- Reduce blood pressure.
- Improve oral health
Gyokuro
Gyokuro green tea is prized for its sweet flavour and is known as “jade dew” because of it’s color and the way it sparkles when light hits it.
It has a milder flavour than Sencha green tea but is stronger than other green teas like Bancha, Kukicha, and Genmaicha.
The tea is made by shading the plant from the sun, which gives it a unique flavour and appearance and some health benefits.
This tea is known for its umami flavour and is ideal for those who enjoy a rich, creamy flavour.
Furthermore, growing Gyokuro green tea is a labor-intensive and difficult process. So, while it is good for your health, it is also extremely costly.
Benefits of Gyokuro:
- Reduce the risk of breast cancer
- Improves immune system
- Improves memory
Bancha
Bancha is yet another popular variety of green tea in Japan. Compared to Gyokuro and Sencha, it is slightly bitter, but it is also less expensive, making it a great everyday green tea.
It can be a good alternative for those who don’t like coffee jitters or want to avoid the calories in black or green tea lattes.
Also read: How Many Calories in a Cup of Green Tea? Find out Here
Also, it is high in minerals, particularly iron, and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Benefits of Bancha:
- Beneficial to the digestive system.
- Good for the sensitive stomach.
- Good for pregnant and breastfeeding women but in a small amount.
Tencha
Tencha is a type of Japanese green tea that is primarily used to make matcha.
It is grown in the same way that gyokuro is. Before being harvested, the tea leaves are shaded for at least 20 days. It is a very rare tea that is difficult to come by in stores.
Benefits of Tencha:
- Relaxes the mind and body
- Improves concentration
Also read: Is Green Tea Acidic or Alkaline? Here’s The Truth!
Shincha
Shincha is the year’s first tea, picked in the early spring. It’s a unique green tea because it’s still young and contains many nutrients from the fields.
Despite its popularity, this tea is only available in small quantities outside of Japan. It has a low bitter catechin and caffeine content but a high amino acid content.
It’s greatly valued for its high vitamin content, sweetness, and grassy flavour, as well as its resinous aroma and low astringency.
The quality of shincha can vary a lot, from year to year and from producer to producer, but overall it is a very good tea.
Benefits of Shincha:
- Boost immunity
- Good for the digestion
- Help in fertility
Kabusecha
Kabusecha Green Tea is said to be one of the purest and highest-quality green tea available in Japan. It’s steamed before drying, giving it a flavour and aroma that’s not found in other green teas.
Compared to other green teas, kabusecha is high in both l-theanine and caffeine and has a rich umami flavour with a lingering sweetness.
It accounts for less than 5% of total tea production in Japan, which is why you won’t see it in supermarkets very often.
Benefits of Kabusecha:
- Boosting energy
- Reduce stress
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve digestion
Jasmine
Jasmine green tea is made of green tea leaves with jasmine blossoms inside. It’s an aromatic green tea with a fresh, floral flavour.
It has a long history in Chinese culture, and people all over the world appreciate its rich flavour and health benefits.
To avoid a bitter flavour, jasmine green tea should be brewed with hot water rather than boiling water. Also, the tea tastes best when made with water that is between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Benefits of Jasmine:
- Good for the heart
- It may help in weight loss
- Good source of antioxidants
Also read: The Secret of Green tea for a Healthy and Shiny Hair
Kukicha
Kukicha is a Japanese tea made from the camellia sinesis tea plant’s leaves and stems.
It’s a low-caffeine tea with a lot of fiber, vitamins, and calcium, and antioxidants.
Kukicha has a slightly nutty, creamy sweetness to it. It’s a great tea to have in the afternoon to help you relax or as a side dish in between meals.
Benefits of Kukicha:
- Manages blood pressure
- Good for the cholesterol
- Helps in skin healing
- Slow down the aging process
Some tips to choose the best green tea?
When it comes to selecting a good quality green tea there are a few main things you need to consider:
- Tea should have a light, grassy taste to it that isn’t bitter in the least.
- The aroma of the tea should be pleasant but not overpowering.
- The tea should also have a fresh appearance and a pleasant golden color.
- It should be free of discoloration, dryness, and old.
- When purchasing green tea, look for a reputable retailer. It’s even better if you buy it from a tea specialty store.
- The leaves should be fresh and moist. Avoid drinking green tea with wilted or dry leaves.
- The right temperature is crucial when brewing green tea. The healthy elements of green tea will be harmed if the water is too hot.
Final words
In conclusion, it makes no difference which of the green teas on this list you choose because they are all delicious. Also, because each of the teas I’ve listed has its own set of health benefits and I recommend that you try some of them to see which one you like the best.
I hope you enjoyed this article about the best types of green tea and found this information valuable.
So, what do you have to lose? Take your pick from one of these green tea and enjoy!
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