Choosing the Best Green Tea
Green tea is becoming one of the most popular beverages in America for good reason. Green tea is well known not only for its flavor but primarily for its health benefits which include, among many others, reducing cancer risks, reducing the risk of heart diseases, and aiding weight loss.
Yet choosing the best green tea is quite a challenge especially for those who are new to the world of green tea. Therefore, some brands of the best green tea available on the market today are introduced below. Also, you will be told of some methods to brew the leaves to bring out the wonderful flavor.
One of the most popular brands is called Sencha, a Japanese green tea. This may be the best choice as an introduction to green tea drinking, as it not only is an economical choice, but its taste is also one of the most recognizable ones among the green teas for sale. It has a slight astringent taste along with a light sweetness. Lesser quality Sencha tea is called Bancha.
Another brand considered to be one of the best green teas on the market today is Kabusecha, also a Japanese tea. It is taken from the first and finest harvest and it has been a favorite with many customers worldwide. It has a grassy aroma which is considered to be a characteristic scent of the best green tea.
The ultimate green tea is Dragon Well tea, also called Long Jing tea. The name originates from a legendary well in the West Lake region of China where the tea is produced. The color is bright green and the flavor is fresh and vibrant. Such a quality tea has its price so be prepared to pay more than usual for it.
Brewing Green Tea
For many people brewing is half of the enjoyment of green tea and while there are many different ways of brewing green tea, the method of brewing it slightly differs from brewing black tea.
Good quality water is essential for making a good cup of green tea, so make sure you’re using good water. Don’t brew your green tea too hot, it will become bitter. Green tea leaves need room to expand and impart their aroma to the water that they are being infused in. Therefore, tea balls or tea bags do not work well. The best way to brew green tea is to allow the tea leaves to sit loose in the water and steep for no longer than two or three minutes.
Appreciation of green tea is not limited to the taste alone, your other senses can be used as well. You can smell the tea and enjoy the aroma, you can look at the bright green color and watch the leaves gently unfolding in your cup, which is also called „the dance of tea“ and which in itself is considered a great joy. Allow yourself to relax and sip slowly, letting the tea roll down your tongue and thus savor the pleasing scent of this wonderful tea.