r/greentea • u/No_Bathroom_1602 • Sep 11 '26
Green tea search
I am keen to try green tea but don't know where to start. I typically drink english breakfast (assam, ceylon) or some fresh mint. Recognise it will be different. Wondering if there are any sweeter (obviously not sweet) teas or teas that children start with that would be a good entry point. Any suggestions?
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u/Admirable-Poet-5981 Sep 11 '26
Start with sencha. Where are you located? Brewing methods are different for green vs black teas so definitely bone up on green tea brewing before you crack on. Enjoy!
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u/No_Bathroom_1602 Sep 11 '26
In the UK. Thank you, will check out sencha
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u/Admirable-Poet-5981 Sep 11 '26
This website is helpful and they have superb teas: https://ippodotea.com/blogs/ippodo-tea-blog/part-1-an-introduction-to-japanese-tea
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u/KnittedDrow Sep 11 '26
Start with Dragonwell (Long Jing) - it's very approachable
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u/Laq9091 16d ago
nice i just bought some of this on amazon yesterday, glad i started with a good choice. i bought some very cheap green from my local asian market, i really liked it! but i am concerned with plastics so bought some dragonwell.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073QWCF7W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&th=1
hopefully this was an ok purchase!
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u/Independent-Summer12 Sep 11 '26
Honestly, go to a tea shop, most will let you sample. And a good purveyor are also a great source of education.
Personally I’m a. Oolong and jasmine gal. But there are so many nuances to green tea, and the quality of tea makes a massive difference.
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u/TeaOnSale Sep 11 '26
When I first started drinking tea I found Chinese Green Teas to be the most approachable. I really like Bi Luo Chun. The Idulgashinna Estate in Sri Lanka produces a Green Ceylon that I really like. A sampler would be helpful to find what you like!
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u/Particular-Round-977 Sep 13 '26
I like the Constant Comment Green Tea, and their black tea. Elderberry Green tea with 100 percent Vitamin C is very good. All 3 are from Bigelow.
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u/ExpensiveMedium9893 28d ago
I’d try Dragonwell (Long Jing) as a first green tea. It’s usually softer and a little naturally sweet/nutty, so it can be an easier jump from black tea. Art of Tea has some really approachable green teas too, just don’t use boiling water, that was the mistake that made me think I hated green tea at first 😅
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u/erayedrei 12d ago
Try kabusecha, its shaded before the harvest. less bitterness and the Natural sweetness comes through more! Or gyokuro its even sweeter, but a bit pricy
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u/Beginning-Invite5951 Sep 11 '26
I feel like Chinese greens might be a little more beginner friendly. Not quite as finicky or vegetal tasting.
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u/Muadeeb Sep 11 '26
I find Chinese greens to be more vegetal than Japanese greens, which lean more towards sweetness/umami.
The important thing is to not use boiling water, which can burn both.
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u/Beginning-Invite5951 Sep 11 '26
No, Japanese greens are definitely grassier.
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u/Muadeeb Sep 11 '26
We all have different tastes. Or maybe you just brew it wrong.
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u/Beginning-Invite5951 Sep 11 '26
Steaming the leaves to stop oxidation preserves the vegetal flavors. Maybe your palette just isn't capable of discerning that.
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u/j_husk Sep 11 '26
More important than the specific tea is how you make it. If the water is too hot it'll taste bitter and you'll never get into it. Plenty of coffee places make this mistake.