1. History and Origins: Green tea originated in China and can be traced back to the 3rd century BC. According to legend, green tea was first discovered by Emperor Shennong of China. Emperor Shennong is considered the founder of ancient Chinese medicine and recognized the medicinal value of tea. Over time, green tea became an integral part of Chinese culture and gained popularity worldwide.
2. Processing Techniques: Green tea undergoes a relatively complex production process, including steps such as withering, rolling, drying, and sorting. Withering involves using high temperatures to halt the enzymatic activity within the tea leaves. Rolling refers to shaping the leaves into various forms to facilitate the release of chemical compounds. Drying is done at suitable temperatures to stabilize the aroma and taste. Sorting involves grading the tea leaves based on their appearance, color, and quality.
3. Appearance and Characteristics: The appearance of green tea can vary depending on the variety and processing techniques. Generally, green tea leaves have a vibrant green color, are neatly shaped, and sometimes feature fine hairs. Green tea is known for its fresh aroma and the tea liquor appears light yellow-green or pale green. It offers a crisp, refreshing taste often accompanied by notes of grass, vegetables, fruits, or seaweed.
4. Major Varieties of Green Tea: Green tea encompasses numerous varieties. Here are some of the main ones:
- Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea): Produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, it is one of China's most famous green teas. It has flat-shaped leaves with a delicate green color and is renowned for its refreshing taste and aroma.
- Xihu Longjing Tea (West Lake Dragon Well Tea): Produced in the vicinity of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. It has even more tender leaves and a unique flavor compared to regular Longjing tea.
- High Mountain Tea: Primarily grown in the high-altitude tea gardens of Taiwan. High Mountain Tea is known for its fresh aroma and crisp taste.
- Bi Luo Chun: Grown in the vicinity of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, it is one of China's top ten teas. Bi Luo Chun has delicate and curly leaves, clear liquor, and a floral aroma.
- Mao Feng Tea: Produced in Huangshan, Anhui Province, China, it is one of China's traditional famous teas. Mao Feng Tea has a unique shape with flat and slender leaves, offering a fresh and crisp taste.
- Liu An Gua Pian Tea: Produced in Liu An, Anhui Province, China, it is one of China's traditional famous teas. Liu An Gua Pian Tea is known for its flattened, melon seed-shaped leaves and unique fruity aroma.
- Jasmine Tea: Jasmine tea is a type of scented tea that combines green tea leaves with jasmine flowers. It is mainly produced in Fujian Province, China. The tea leaves absorb the floral aroma during processing, resulting in a unique fragrance.
- Gunpowder Tea: Produced in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, and widely cultivated in other countries. Gunpowder tea is processed into small, pellet-shaped leaves, resembling gunpowder, and offers a robust flavor.
- Mengding Tea: Grown in the Mengding Mountain area of Emeishan, Sichuan Province, China, it is one of China's top ten teas. Mengding tea leaves are tender and carry a floral fragrance and a unique sweet taste.
- Anji White Tea: Produced in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China, it belongs to the white tea category but is classified as green tea due to its tender green color during harvesting. Anji White Tea has a clear and bright liquor, a refreshing taste, and a hint of bean aroma.
- Yu Qian Longjing Tea (Pre-Rain Longjing Tea): Produced in the vicinity of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, it is a subcategory of Longjing tea. Yu Qian Longjing refers to the tea harvested before the Grain Rain festival, featuring tender leaves, a fresh floral aroma, and a refreshing taste.
- Pre-Qingming Tea: This term refers to tea leaves harvested before the Qingming Festival, encompassing various types of green teas such as Pre-Qingming Longjing and Pre-Qingming Biluochun. These teas are prized for their early harvest, which results in tender leaves and a vibrant, refreshing character.
5. Brewing Method: When brewing green tea, it is recommended to use ceramic or glass teaware. The ideal water temperature is around 80-85°C (176-185°F), and the brewing time is generally short, around 1-2 minutes. Green tea can be steeped multiple times, gradually increasing the brewing time to release the tea's aroma and flavor.
6. Health Benefits of Green Tea: Green tea contains abundant nutrients such as catechins, caffeine, and vitamins, which contribute to its various health benefits. It is believed to have antioxidant, energizing, metabolism-boosting, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and dental health properties.
7. Precautions: Green tea generally contains a certain amount of caffeine, so moderate consumption is advised. However, individual tolerance to caffeine may vary, and it is recommended to adjust consumption based on personal circumstances. Additionally, the quality and taste of green tea may change over time, so it is advisable to choose fresh tea leaves and store them properly.
