Posted on 08/17/2009 8:01:51 PM PDT by WackySam
I recently tried green tea for the first time and immediately became addicted to it. I must be drinking 10 cups a day and would probably drink more if I didn't care about sleeping at night.
Being new to green tea I know little of the different types, quality, preparation, etc.. and was hoping some knowledgeable Freepers could point me in the right direction by recommending some of the better teas and/or links to any good web resources.
Currently I've only tried two- both bought in regular Supermarkets so I'm guessing they are not higher quality teas. One of the teas I like very much (Good Earth Lemongrass blend) and the other tasted like the box it came in (Bigelow Organic).
Any help would be greatly appreciated by this new green tea addict.
Japanese green tea are the best, but they are not cheap.
I buy most of my green tea from here:
http://www.imperialtea.com/Green-C63.aspx
I’ve tried and enjoyed the following green teas:
Tai Ping Monkey King
Cui Feng
Bi Lou Chun
Dai Fang
I also like http://www.uptontea.com
Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan supplies the best green tea. Go to an Asian market and look for it. Other parts of Japan also have very good green tea. This is not going to be like the green teas mentioned in some of the other replies. This is the real stuff. Many Americans don’t like it because of its strong grassy flavor, but it’s very good.
I live in Japan and drink the stuff regularly, but I don’t fuss too much about different brands. It’s like coffee or black tea. Find a good brand you like and stick with it. Don’t waste money on the really expensive stuff. It’s not that much better.
My personal favorite is a type blended with roasted barley. This gives it a much more robust flavor in my opinion.
I am also a bit of a pervert. All Japanese and most green tea fans will tell you that there is only one way to drink it. Hot and straight. But I personally like a strong cup in the morning with a slug of honey.
Believe me, that will get you moving in short order.
Have been drinking green tea for 8 or so years now. I learned to not stick with any one brand but try all the variations. Some are not as good as others but they are still better than the yuppie teas and the old black tea (with the exception of Earl Grey and ginger as a morning wake up;-)
Try them all and often. You can’t go wrong in my opinion.
Change is good for your system and Psyche.
- and for gods sake, don’t ever become a green tea snob.
I only like green tea with honey or sugar otherwise it’s too “grassy” for me. So I don’t drink it too often because I like to drink my tea (usually Earl Grey) day in and day out without sweetener.
Ok, when you are ready to learn how to brew your own big batches of high quality cold green tea, let me know.
Ironic, dude...because I hope there is plenty of green tea available at the gulch!
Do you happen to have a brand name, or a website which will mail it?
Cheers!
Absolute all time favorite: Gyokoru
Less expensive but very tasty- Sencha
How much do two cost and how much is in a package?
Put out by Suntory.
Check out an asian store as there are tons of green tea varieties. One can choose tea bags or loose which I prefer. Jasmine is real good but others too. I drink it cold in the summer and hot in the winter. One can add honey, lime or ginger — I don’t like it too sweet. Here in hot Tx I will set it outside in a bottle and let the sun do it’s work. I leave the leaves in the bottle so I can either refill or put in a blender for a 2nd round and strain. Healthy and cost effective beverage. For me coffee in AM, green tea in the afternoons and beer/wine at night with meals.
” How much do two cost and how much is in a package? “
Will you be drinking the tea hot or cold ? They have special teas for each . I’m sure they have a variety of sizes re: packages . My good friend Morita san works for the Chamber Of Commerce in Ureshino . I’ll find out .
S
You might be interested in reading the following interesting link posted here on FR last week: White Tea Could Keep You Healthy And Looking Young
Hi am a crunchy conservative. Try the Japanese green matcha tea - expensive but worth it. Its comes in powder and a little goes a long way. The tea used in green tea ice cream and in the tea ceremony. You can drink it hot or cold and dilute it. It has many health giving properties. Look for it in the natural foods stores or Whole Foods or mail order. About 15 to 20 dollars for a small tin. Teavana in some malls has it.
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