Detoxification enthusiasts (such as we) already know a few types and maybe have a favorite brand of green tea. But this doesn’t mean that there no room for experiments and new options. Yet, many tea enthusiasts don’t exactly know how to choose the best-tasting brand of green tea.
Overall, green tea is extremely beneficial for your health as it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, makes your skin glow, detoxes your body, keeps your brain in top shape, and boosts your metabolism. All green tea is produced in a similar way. The tender top of the plant and tea leaves are either boiled, pan-fried, or steamed, then rolled and dried. The rolling phase decides the ultimate flavor of the green tea.
How to Choose the Best Tasting Brand of Green Tea
It may seem easy to choose the best tasting green tea because all you need to do is just taste it. Our information saves you the time and money that you would need to make a stock, taste everything, and decide what to do with all the products you didn’t like.
You can make your work easier by beginning the search with the top brands in the game. Best10Anything has named Basilur the world’s top-selling brand of green tea. Check out the website’s list of more than a dozen top-selling green tea brands to discover the best green tea brand for you.
Related reading: Green Tea Detox
Origin Comes First
Green tea leaves’ origin dictates the quality of the drink. Green tea originates from China, which remains the largest producer of green tea so far. However, you should also note that China is one of the most polluted countries in the world. A plantation located next to a highly industrialized area doesn’t can affect the tea’s quality.
You cannot tell the region where the tea was grown by just looking at the product’s label. You should instead choose teas that originate from Japan – a less polluted nation. If you enjoy Chinese green teas, you can research more and see where each brand has the plantations to avoid potential toxins.
Leaves Matter
Green tea keeps its color because the fermentation or oxidation process is skipped. The fermentation process turns leaves brown. Chlorophyll, which gives the plant its green color, remains in the leaves, along with antioxidants. You can find higher levels of antioxidants lies in loose leaves or whole green leaf teas. Avoid tea bags as leaves are chopped and lose the antioxidants in the process.
Loose leaves of green tea make the closest to its 100% natural form and are fresher than what you can find in tea bags. Fresh green has a shelf life or around six months, so you should check the production date. Freshness also depends on harvesting time. The first harvest time of tea is between March and April and the tea is of the highest quality. Kabusecha is one of the drinks that come from the first harvest. However, check if you enjoy its grassy flavor.
The label should also specify if the tea is 100% organic. Only organic tea is the most beneficial to your health and detox process. Otherwise, you end up with a product that is contaminated with chemicals and pesticides.
Types of Green Tea – Taste and Benefits
- Matcha (high content of natural nutrients): Matcha is actually a ground-up Tencha tea which you will read about below. Leaves are air-dried and turned into a powder. The tea is made according to the traditions established during the Song Dynasty, a Chinese dynasty that ruled between 960 and 1279;
- Sencha (high in vitamin C): The Japanese tea comes from the second harvest and is grown in direct sunlight. Leaves are needle-shaped, so when you boil the tea, they intensify its flavor.
- Funmatsucha (high in antioxidants): This ground tea has a bitter flavor because it is exposed more to the sun. Leaves contain more antioxidants thanks to the longer photosynthesis process.
- Kukicha (relaxing effects): Also known as twig tea, kukicha contains stems and twigs, instead of leaves. It is either yellow or brown. The stems come from the processing of Gyokuro tea. This is the only tea that looks yellow instead of green.
- Tencha (nutrient dense, high in vitamins and minerals): Leaves are removed from sunlight three weeks prior to harvesting. The leaves don’t go through the rolling process, which gives them a full taste.
- Konacha (strong aroma, beneficial for entertainment): This powder tea contains small bits of leftover leaves from the processing of Sencha and Gyokuro teas. It is very low priced and has a subtle bitterness and overall robust taste.
- Gyokuro (high in caffeine, chlorophyll, and theanine): Leaves are removed from sunlight three weeks before the second harvest. This complex and sweet tea is more intensely-flavored due to various amino acids. It is also a bit pricier than other types of tea.
- Genmaicha: Medium-grade Sencha or Bancha mixed with roasted brown rice. It has a grain-type flavor and calms down the stomach.
- Longjing (or Dragon Well): China’s most awarded and expensive tea has a sweet, chestnut flavor. It is creamy, refreshing and has pudgy and short pale-yellow leaves.
- Bancha: After Sencha is harvested and regrows, this tea makes the second round. Bancha is collected between June and October. The quality of the leaves is reduced if it is harvested later.
- Shincha: Coming from the first harvest, Shincha tea is bitter and lacks caffeine and catechin. This expensive green tea is also rich in amino acids.
- Bilochun: This affordable tea has a vegetable flavor and a slightly viscous texture. The top blends come from Taiwan and have a slight pineapple flavor.
- Fukamushicha: This tea is similar to Sencha but goes through a longer steaming process which makes colors darker, and the taste richer. Fukamushicha has a lower caffeine content and soothing effect on the stomach.
- Laoshan: This tea comes from the Chinese Shandong Province and has a buttery texture and a refreshing effect.
What Else to Look for
- No sugar: Some brands add sugar to the blend and, therefore, have more calories.
- Seller: See who produces the tea and who sells it. Research if the seller is close to the manufacturer so that freshness is assured.
Where to Buy It From
Green tea’s brand reputation, freshness, and plantation location matter the most. Yet, where can you purchase it from?
- Japanese tea shop or tearooms.
- Supermarkets
- Online tea shops.
How to Control the Taste
- Use only
- fresh water for the process. Use the type of water you typically drink, instead of tap water.
- The more leaves you add, the more intense the tea tastes. It also becomes more viscous.
- Low temperatures mean sweeter and less bitter tea.
- Let tea leaves steep for 30 seconds to one minute.
Wrapping Up
Green tea can be delightful, once you find your favorite type. You can dig in some more about that specific type, and learn more about its health benefits and the best time for brewing. You can play with quantity and find your favorite taste. When you are detoxing, don’t just drink the tea, choose the best brand, and thoroughly enjoy it!
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I agree wholeheartedly and can personally vouch for tea detox. It helps eliminates toxins, wastes, helps to shed some water weight, and ease bloating. I use the red tea detox for myself and it works wonders.