What Does Green Tea Taste Like?
Loose leaf green tea, being an unoxidized tea, retains the original green color and natural components of the tea leaves. The infusion of loose leaf green tea typically exhibits a bright green or yellow-green hue, as it undergoes no oxidation during the production process. The transparent and clear appearance of the tea reflects a refreshing and delightful visual experience.
The leaves of loose leaf green tea are fresh and tender, displaying a vibrant green color. The non-oxidized nature of loose leaf green tea during production preserves the freshness of the leaves, and the lush green hue of the leaves is a distinctive characteristic of green tea.
Loose leaf green tea is known for its fresh aroma and flavor, with the tea leaves emitting a fragrant scent that imparts a sense of natural freshness. Different varieties of loose leaf green tea showcase various aromatic characteristics, such as Longjing tea with its fresh and tender aroma, or Biluochun tea with its floral and fruity notes. The taste of loose leaf green tea is mild, refreshing, and crisp, providing a light and invigorating sensation. To experience the diverse flavors of green tea, it is recommended to explore by purchasing tea samplers.
The Flavors of Several Famous Green Teas
China boasts a diverse range of green tea varieties, each with its unique characteristics. I recommend everyone to try several classic and renowned green teas to fully appreciate the flavors of best loose leaf tea.
1.Dragon Well Tea (Longjing Tea)
Dragon Well's reputation dates back to the Song Dynasty, became renowned during the Yuan Dynasty, thrived in the Ming Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty. During the Republic of China era, it had already become China's foremost famous tea. Dragon Well tea is produced in the mountains around the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, such as Shifeng, Wengjiashan, Hupao, Meijiawu, Yunqi, and Lingyin.
Dragon Well tea belongs to the category of pan-fried green tea. The dried tea leaves are flat and delicate, displaying a jade green color. When brewed with high-quality spring water in a glass cup, the tea infusion is clear yellow-green. The taste is fresh and crisp, leaving a delightful lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.
2.Bi Luo Chun Tea
Bi Luo Chun, originally known as Dongting Tea or "Startling Fragrance," was a tribute tea as early as the Tang Dynasty. It is primarily produced in the area around Dongting Lake in Wu County, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The plucking season for Bi Luo Chun begins around the vernal equinox and concludes around Guyu, featuring distinct characteristics of early picking and tenderness.
The dry Bi Luo Chun tea leaves are tightly curled, displaying a silver-green color, covered with abundant white down, and shaped like spiral curls. It possesses a unique and intense natural floral and fruity fragrance. When brewed, Bi Luo Chun imparts a rich and mellow taste, with a sweet and lingering aftertaste.
3.Huangshan Maofeng
Huangshan Maofeng can be traced back to the prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty, and its reputation gradually spread during the Ming Dynasty with the expansion of trade. The origin of Huangshan Maofeng is in the Huangshan area of Anhui, including regions such as Huangshan Scenic Area, Tangkou, Fangcun, Gangcun, Chongchuan, Taohuafeng, and Yungu Temple. Harvested from the Qingming Festival to the end of Guyu, the leaves are fresh and tender.
The dry Huangshan Maofeng tea leaves are slender and flat, with a slightly yellowish-green hue amidst the verdant color, and they exhibit a shiny luster. The outer leaves envelop the tea bud in the middle, creating an elegant appearance. The dry tea exudes a fragrance reminiscent of orchids or chestnuts, refreshing and pleasant. The infusion has a light yellow and clear color, with a rich and fragrant aroma. The taste is fresh and intense, leaving a sweet and crisp aftertaste.
4.Xinyang Maojian
Xinyang Maojian is a famous tea from Henan Province and is also one of China's top ten famous teas. Xinyang Maojian is produced in the areas of Shangcheng County, Xin County, and Shangcheng County within the Dabie Mountains in Henan Province. The most famous production areas include Wuyun, Liangtan, Yishan, Yizhai, and Yisi.
Xinyang Maojian has a uniform appearance, exhibiting a bright green color with a noticeable luster, and prominent white tea hairs. When lightly sniffed, the dry tea imparts a mature fragrance reminiscent of chestnuts, with a pure and uplifting aroma. After brewing, the tea infusion has a clear yellow-green color, a fresh and uplifting fragrance, and a taste that is both mellow and refreshing.
Find more loose leaf green tea with our Green Tea Sampler.>>>
Differences between Green Tea, Black Tea, and Oolong Tea
1.Loose leaf Green Tea – Unoxidized Freshness
Oxidation Level: Loose leaf green tea is non-oxidized, preserving the natural green color and components of the tea leaves.
Taste: Loose leaf green tea has a refreshing taste with a subtle tea fragrance and a certain level of astringency.
Origin: Mainly produced in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, and other regions.
Representative Varieties: Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, etc.
2.Loose leaf Oolong Tea – The Allure of Partial Oxidation
Oxidation Level: Loose leaf oolong tea falls into the category of partially oxidized tea, with a oxidation level between loose leaf green tea and loose leaf black tea. As a result, it combines characteristics of both green and black teas.
Taste: Loose leaf oolong tea has a mellow taste, strong aftertaste, and a rich and persistent tea fragrance.
Origin: Mainly produced in Fujian, Guangdong, Taiwan, and other regions.
Representative Varieties: TieGuanyin, Da Hong Pao, Fenghuang Dancong, etc.
3.Loose leaf Black Tea – Full-Oxidation Richness
Oxidation Level: Loose leaf black tea belongs to the category of fully oxidized tea, with a high level of oxidation. Consequently, the tea liquor has a bright red color, and the tea fragrance is intense.
Taste: Loose leaf black tea has a rich taste, strong aftertaste, and a certain level of sweetness.
Origin: Mainly produced in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, and other regions.
Representative Varieties: Qimen Black Tea, Lapsang souchong, Jin Junmei, etc.
iTeaworld loose leaf tea includes various types, allowing you to fully experience the beauty of loose leaf green tea, loose leaf black tea, and loose leaf oolong tea.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Green Tea for a Better Flavor?
Brewing loose leaf green tea requires careful attention to water temperature. As loose leaf green tea is made from fresh leaves and tender buds, excessively hot water can result in overcooked tea leaves, leading to changes and loss of components, thereby affecting the nutritional value and taste of the tea infusion. The recommended water temperature for brewing loose leaf green tea is between 80 to 90 degrees Celsius, and it is best to brew and drink immediately.
The amount of loose leaf green tea used varies based on the size of the teaware, type of tea leaves, and personal preference. Generally, it is less than other types of tea, with a common ratio being 1:50. Tea enthusiasts can experiment with different amounts to find the tea infusion concentration they prefer.
For brewing loose leaf green tea, transparent glassware is often preferred, ideally without patterns. The transparent nature of glass allows people to appreciate the graceful dance of the loose leaves during the brewing process. Additionally, glassware has no fine pores, doesn't absorb the tea's flavor, is easy to clean, and leaves no residual taste. Therefore, many tea art establishments choose to use glass cups for brewing loose leaf green tea.
The fresh aroma and taste, bright color of the tea liquor, tender tea leaves, and the sweet and refreshing aftertaste of green tea make it the preferred choice for tea enthusiasts, providing a delightful tea-drinking experience. Whether enjoyed alone or shared with family and friends, green tea is a unique and pleasurable choice.
