Green Tea IOverview

A GREEN TEA OVERVIEW

Green tea is the palest in color, ranging from light green to light yellow in color. Green tea is not oxidized; the leaves are steamed or baked immediately after being plucked. They are then rolled and dried allowing the leaves to remain green in color. Green tea is made from both new buds as well as young leaves – “pluckers” take ‘two leaves and a bud’.

Green tea, which is unfermented tea, remains the most popular tea in Asian countries such as China and Japan. In fact, up until the eighteenth century, it was also the most popular form of tea in Britain as well. Imports of green tea into the United States outpaced black tea until about 1915. Much of the tea dumped into the Boston harbor during the Boston Tea Party, was in fact green tea. Thus it is unlikely that the harbor turned to a copper color!

About ninety percent of the world's green tea is produced in China. While most of the world's black tea comes from countries such as Sri Lanka (Ceylon), India, Kenya, Indonesia and Argentina, these countries produce little, if any, green tea. Several hundred varieties of green tea are made in China alone. Some of the most popular include Gunpowder, Hyson, Imperial Green, and Gyokuro (Japan). A cup of green tea is generally much lighter than other teas. While Asian cultures have believed for centuries that green tea has properties beneficial to human health, modern science is just now discovering that this may be true.

Manufacture
Differences between green, black, and oolong teas occur during the processing of the tea leaves.

Plucking
All types are normally hand plucked. Pluckers take only the bud and two leaves, as only young leaves produce good quality tea. Machine plucked tea is usually inferior.

Withering
The next step in manufacturing is withering. Tea leaves are laid out and allowed to wilt for several hours. Leaves are laid out in bamboo trays or in withering beds indoors. Withering reduces the moisture content in the leaves and prepares them for the next step. Withering can be omitted during the production of green tea, but is crucial in black tea manufacture.

Steaming
This process differentiates green tea from other types. After withering, green tea leaves are immediately steamed, baked, or pan heated. This crucial step in green tea manufacture prevents the oxidation (fermentation) of the leaves so that they remain green.

Rolling
Green tea is very often hand rolled, but mechanical rollers are used as well. The rolling process gives the leaves their appearance. During green tea manufacture, leaves are usually steamed rolled and steamed alternatively. Tightly rolled leaves are an indication of good quality tea.

Firing
Green tea leaves are given a final firing to dry the leaves and ensure no oxidation of the leaves occurs. The firing of leaves is done in ovens.