Green Tea Guides

Green tea is heated soon after picking, which keeps its fresh, grassy and sometimes nutty flavor. Chinese greens are usually pan-fired and toasty; Japanese greens are steamed and vivid. These guides walk you through the main styles and how to brew each one at the right temperature.

Most green teas taste best with water at 70-80 °C (160-175 °F), well below boiling, and a short steep of 1 to 3 minutes. Use about 1 teaspoon per 250 ml cup; delicate Japanese teas such as gyokuro like cooler water and more leaf, while pan-fired Chinese teas such as Dragon Well can take a little more heat. Good green tea gives two or three infusions, so keep the leaves and steep them again.

Shop Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea, or start with our guide to brewing green tea.