Green Teas

Green Tea has been the preferred drink in Japan for twelve hundred years and much longer in parts of China. The incredible range of tastes and aromas is most enticing.

Interest in the western world has picked up as medical research continues to bestow praise on this style of tea that is low in caffeine, has modest amounts of trace minerals and vitamins, promotes digestion, has been credited with mild weight loss, has anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties, and is a mild germicidal.

These teas are often referred to as "non processed" because the freshly picked leaves are left to wither, then shaken or mixed lightly, and finally quickly heated at low temperatures to stop oxidation of natural leaf juices at precisely the right moment.

The production methods are often done by hand, requiring great skill. We've found that Green Tea from China, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka tastes more like an Oolong. Green Tea from Japan is known more for its aromatic, herb like quality.

Four things to know about Green Teas

1. One half pound (8 oz) makes approximately 100 six ounce cups. Some Green Teas can and should be brewed a second time.

2. Green Teas should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Keep air out of your package by re-sealing it tightly. Most Green Teas will then have a shelf life of 6 months from the time you get them from a good tea supplier.

3. To be enjoyed fully, the recommended brewing instructions on the package are a good guide. Too much or too little tea, too high of a water temperature, or steeping too long often ruins the brew. With a little experimentation, though, you will soon be enjoying the tea that has been preferred for centuries.

4. "Real men drink tea." ~ Singer & Songwriter, Sting