11 Best Green Teas to Drink In 2022
Green tea has been a staple of Chinese and Japanese households for centuries. In fact, millions of people have hailed the countless health benefits of green teas. Some experts believe that regularly drinking green tea might provide health benefits such as weight loss, skin health improvement, and prevention against cardiovascular disease.
Green tea has served several medicinal purposes, including acting as an Indian remedy to regulate excessive bleeding and assist in healing wounds. Moreover, consumers believe that their heart conditions and digestion improve while they receive a calming mental health effect from drinking green teas. While the evidence is quite limited, people do realize that green tea is much healthier than other alternatives in the market.
What Is Green Tea?
Some people list green tea as one of the healthiest drinks in the whole world. High-quality green tea always comes loaded with various antioxidants. While they promote better physical health, they also offer a great aromatic tasting variety.
Green tea is composed of buds and leaves from Camellia sinensis that don’t undergo a similar oxidation process as black and oolong teas.
Types of Green Tea
There are many types of green teas in the market, thanks to creative blenders and mixologists that keep working day and night. From offering different physical and mental health benefits to providing memorable tastes and aromas, multiple green tea types exist.
Sencha green tea is a common favorite among tea lovers. Its highly prolific taste, aroma, and unmatched texture make it a great option for beginners and seasoned green tea-lovers. For a unique roasted aroma, you can try the Hojicha green tea. Gyokuro green tea offers a sweet taste along with a refreshing aftertaste of spinach.
Why Green Tea Is a Better Option?
Firstly, green tea has a lot of varieties to keep your hot beverage cravings satisfied. You can choose from a range of different flavors and varieties to find the right taste that does it for you. Importantly, there’s nothing better than the anti-inflammatory properties of green teas, thanks to antioxidants like polyphenols.
Also, green teas have relatively low caffeine content in comparison to coffees. This makes them a light-charging and aromatic hot beverage in the morning.
Another reason why it’s an amazing option is that it offers multiple strengths, just like coffee but with different tastes and colors. Although the verdant green color of the said teas makes them easily identifiable, they depict various textures and shades. Here’s a list of our top green tea picks for 2022. Start with one of the amazing options from below!
11 Best Green Teas to Drink
Check out our list of the top 11 green tea drinks to try in 2022. Our selection includes gunpowder, matcha, and sencha green tea types. Also, you will learn about one of the best Japanese matcha green tea providers, Ocha & Co.
Ocha & Co. Japanese Loose Leaf Organic Sencha Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Japan-sourced
- Organic
- USDA certified
- Naturally sweet
- Japan-sourced
- Organic
- USDA certified
- Naturally sweet
Offering Japanese tea varieties while working with the top blenders, Ocha & Co. are among the most popular green tea brands today. The loose-leaf sencha green tea from Ocha & Co. is something that all green tea-lovers must try at least once.
The aromatic and naturally sweet flavor makes it an ideal choice for several occasions, moods, and purposes. It’s organic, earthy-aromatic, and buttery-textured. Those are the prime reasons why Sencha is so different from other types of green teas.
In reality, a huge proportion of the Japanese population loves Sencha organic loose leaf green tea. And with the provision in the US markets by Ocha & Co., the market for green tea keeps growing. You can buy this team at extremely reasonable rates for premium quality. There’s no need to add sugar because that would ruin the naturally sweet and aromatic flavor of this green tea.
Unlike other yellow and pale green teas, this one features a dark green color with a buttery texture after a perfect brew. Also, it contains mellow caffeine content with vacuum-sealed packaging for an ultimate green tea experience.
Drinking a well-brewed cup of the Ocha & Co. Japanese loose leaf sencha green tea gives your body a boost of antioxidants to fight help with fat cells and keep brain activity at an optimal level. It requires a short brew to yield the best results. You can try out the instructions on the packaging or read the product descriptions for further details regarding how to make a gentle teacup of loose-leaf sencha green tea.
ORGANIC Matcha Green Tea Powder
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- USDA certified
- Non-GMO certified
- 25-35mg caffeine
- Organic
- USDA certified
- Non-GMO certified
- 25-35mg caffeine
- Organic
Imported directly from Japan and presented to the tea-lovers in the US, this ORGANIC Matcha green tea powder is one of the greatest in the markets. It offers a tantalizing taste with a textured look and color in the teacup.
The convenient packaging has made it easier to take one teaspoon or desired amount of the green tea matcha powder and reseal the bag and put it in the cupboard.
You can rest assured that all the processes that ORGANIC matcha green tea powder undergo USDA and Non-GMO certified processing before you pick it off a shelf. You don’t just have to make a cup of your favorite hot beverage using matcha green tea powder. In fact, you can use it to make matcha lattes and bake a variety of scrumptious desserts. Replace your morning cup of coffee with a cup of ORGANIC’s matcha green tea.
Try out a smoothie bowl full of fruits with a dash of this green tea powder – you most certainly won’t regret it. Nearly every half-teaspoon serving of the amazing matcha green tea powder provides 25-35 mg of caffeine content. So, you can say goodbye to the morning caffeine boost that you get from your favorite coffee and rely on this healthy tea instead.
ORGANIC Loose Leaf Gunpowder Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Organic
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Lab-tested
- Organic
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Lab-tested
Do you want a satisfying taste of raw green tea leaves straight out of China’s high gardens? This is the green tea blend you should try if you dig loose leaf tea leaves that are almost naturally processed without any additives or preservatives. The Organic, USDA, and Non-GMO certified green tea leaves from ORGANIC area fulfilling the tea option.
You can brew as much as 200 cups of fresh gunpowder green tea using the 453gm of loose leaves in the Kraft-packaged stand-up pouch. ORGANIC has tried to make drinking green tea as simple as possible by providing some of the best blends to green tea lovers.
You don’t have to worry about wastage or harmful chemicals in the packaging. In fact, the certified manufacture runs several quality checks on the production.
Furthermore, the company relies on the freshest ingredients and sources its products directly from China and Japan. The gunpowder loose leaf blend offers a reviving taste that’s much similar to the smoky taste of Davidson’s gunpowder green tea.
ORGANIC Loose Leaf Sencha Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Quality-assurance
- CCOF certified
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Quality-assurance
- CCOF certified
Do you long for a refreshing and aromatic taste of the best Japanese blend teas? Well, if you’re a green tea-lover with a similar passion, you will find the ORGANIC’s loose-leaf sencha green tea highly satisfying. Firstly, the manufacturer uses USDA-certified and organic tea leaves growing techniques to maintain quality and work for better farming practices.
Secondly, the loose-leaf sencha green tea is packaged under strict quality-assurance checks. It’s not just organic loose leaf green tea, but rather premium-quality organic loose leaf green tea manufactured through natural processes.
The packaging doesn’t entail any strings or staples because of the Kraft stand-up pouch. You can easily serve yourself a cup of hot loose leaf sencha green tea and reseal the bag for later use. The manufacturer has been certified by the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers).
You will most definitely love the natural caffeine content in the loose-leaf green tea blend. Along with that, you will find it sweet, relaxing, and delicious whether you take it in-between meals or any time during the day.
Jade Leaf Matcha Green Tea Organic Powder (Culinary Grade)
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Organic certified
- USDA-certified
- 20-35mg caffeine
- No additives
- Organic certified
- USDA-certified
- 20-35mg caffeine
- No additives
This is one of the best achievements of Jade Leaf, one of the most loved brands for green tea blends in the US. Offering 100 percent USDA and Organic-certified organic matcha green powder, Jade Leaf fulfills the morning cravings of tea-lovers. Grown completely organically without the use of any preservatives or additives, the manufacturer ensures quality over quantity.
The tea powder comes from fresh leaves out of the high gardens in Japan. The manufacturer ensures total authenticity of its strict green tea leaves farming practices. At affordable rates, it’s a delicious way to improve the taste of baked goodies and lattes.
You can make smoothies with green matcha powder. Replacing your morning coffee is easier because half a teaspoon of this blend provides nearly 20-35 milligrams of caffeine.
Rich in antioxidants, this product offers all the required nutrients to help you get started on a busy day. While taking matcha green tea powder every day is a valuable source of energy for most tea-lovers in the community, choosing the green tea powder from Jade Leaf will make sure you’re not lacking the authentic taste of matcha green tea.
Davidson’s Gunpowder Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Organic certified
- USDA-certified
- Quality packaging
- Smoky flavor
- Organic certified
- USDA-certified
- Quality packaging
- Smoky flavor
For a taste that stays with you, try out the Organic and USDA-certified gunpowder green tea blend from Davidson’s. While it contains a small portion of caffeine per serving, gaining a gentle boost in brain activity is highly common among its consumers.
This organic tee comes from the high gardens of China in the form of loose-leaf. You can try out your first cup of Davidson’s signature gunpowder green tea blend through our brewing technique and guidance below.
This coffee has an amazingly strong flavor that feels deep and soothing at the same time. As an experienced green tea drinker, you will love the deep flavor and strong soothing effects of Davidson’s gunpowder green tea in the morning. While it doesn’t have high caffeine content, it does have enough to replace your morning cup of coffee.
You can even team up this Davidson’s green tea blend with other products such as the infuser from the manufacturer to amplify the experience. The loose-leaf green tea bag comes with a paper/Kraft wrapping.
It’s a stand-up pouch, so you can use it conveniently around the house and place it anywhere near the kitchen countertop. To preserve the tea’s freshness, the manufacturers at Davison’s use aluminum foil lining.
Coming straight from China, the green tea leaves are processed by rolling them into small round pellets and then drying them out. It’s worth mentioning that if you love smoky flavor green tea, you will surely be rejuvenated by the satisfying taste of Davidson’s gunpowder green tea leaves.
Davidson’s Dragonwell (Longjing) Loose Leaf Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Kosher certified
- USDA-certified
- China-sourced
- Naturally sweet aroma
- Kosher certified
- USDA-certified
- China-sourced
- Naturally sweet aroma
All the green tea products from Davidson’s are USDA, Kosher, and Organic-certified. The production is US-based, and the entire supply goes through extensive checking to ensure quality assurance.
If you’re looking for an amazing and delicious cup of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea, this is the product to try. While the blend is a signature of the Chinese tea blends, it allows consumers to feel the authentic taste of Chinese Dragon Well green tea.
Since the product originates in China and comes in loose-leaf form, making a delicious cup of tea isn’t that difficult. Read our brewing advice below to make yourself a comfortable and soothing cup of Davidson’s Dragon Well green tea. It’s among China’s most popular green teas, and surely, all tea-lovers around the world love what the originators of tea love.
The Dragon Well green tea from Davidson’s carries a nutty and sweet taste. Though, this is mentioned on the packaging to let consumers gather the allergen information. It’s tea for the officials of the country. It’s grown in the Hangzhou region, a mountainous landscape where it’s been hand-picked, and processed with delicate care for over 1,500 years.
With a sword-like shape, the leaves are folded that way after harvesting and pan-frying. The Longjing green tea from Davidson’s offers a sweet aroma and an aftertaste that’s more like chestnuts. It’s worth mentioning that the jade green color of the solid brew is something to remember.
You must try out the flavors offered by Davidson’s loose leaf tea, including the Dragon Well blend. It goes between meals and nearly any time of the day and night.
Bigelow Mint Green Tea (Teabags)
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Calorie-free
- Kosher-certified
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Calorie-free
- Kosher-certified
The mint green tea bags from Bigelow are the signature blend of the green tea leaves manufacturer. The tea blenders at Bigelow only choose the freshest ingredients.
The green tea is made from hand-picked leaves of high-elevation gardens and then kissed with a refreshing and clean hit of mint. From the first sip to the last tilt, you will find your green tea made from Bigelow’s master blend entirely satisfying and refreshing.
The tea feels smooth and soothing in flavor and effect, respectively. All green teabags from Bigelow are made from Chinese green tea leaves that are sourced from the highest quality farms and gardens.
The gluten-free, Kosher-certified, and calorie-free Bigelow tea is an amazing hot beverage. The mint green tea from this manufacturer offers soothing effects that make your morning better than you could hope for.
For some people, the mellow caffeine content in the Bigelow mint green tea is worth trying. In fact, many consumers have switched from coffee to mint green tea bags. It provides all the required antioxidants with a delicious taste and aroma. The best quality of this tea is that you can enjoy it as a hot beverage or even a cold one if you like.
It all depends on the weather condition and your personal preference when you want to try out the delicate green mint tea from the signature blenders at Bigelow. With foil-pouch packaging of every teabag, the freshness stays in, and the air stays out.
Teatulia Organic Green Tea With Ginger and Lemongrass
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Sustainable packaging
- Bangladesh-sourced
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Sustainable packaging
- Bangladesh-sourced
If you’re a lemongrass flavor fanatic, try out this amazing mix of green ginger and lemongrass tea from Teatulia. The manufacturers are entirely USDA-certified and offer organically-grown loose leaf tea bags. For indulging in a totally citrus experience, trying out this blend is a must whether you’re new in the green tea markets or not.
You won’t regret the lemony and sweet aromatic flavor when brewing it perfectly in hot water. You can get immune system support and antioxidants delivered to your body. It has anti-inflammatory properties and a great taste.
Not to forget, the packaging of every teabag containing organic whole loose leaves is free from micro-plastics or any other form of non-green packaging material. You can brew it hot and cold depending on your preference and the weather.
You can experience the desired jolt of caffeine through the naturally-caffeinated flavor of Teatulia’s organic green tea with ginger and lemongrass. It comes directly from a garden in Bangladesh that’s part of a regenerative agriculture campaign.
Carrying all the right certifications, the manufacturer company wishes to turn all barren wastelands into agricultural and farming spots for harvesting green tea leaves in Bangladesh.
Traditional Medicinals – Organic Lemongrass Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- 20mg caffeine
- Fair-Trade certified
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- 20mg caffeine
- Fair-Trade certified
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
This manufacturer has an extensive history of providing health and wellness products to thousands of customers around the world. The prime resource from this company is its teabag comprising lemongrass green tea.
From natural health products to traditional OTC medicine products, this manufacturer has got it all. However, the Traditional Medicinals organic green tea comes with 16 tea bags that are all compostable. Also, the packaging of teabags is non-GMO with individual wrapping.
You have to be extra careful when dipping the teabags into your teacup or teapot filled with hot water. In rare instances, teabags can fall apart in hot water and make it unpleasant to enjoy a refreshing and calm cup of tea.
The lemongrass green tea leaves come originally from Darjeeling in India. Traditional Medicinals also offers other flavors, including peppermint, dandelion, matcha, and ginger.
Plus, all of them carry a satisfying amount of caffeine content, i.e., 20mg. The manufacturer is USDA and Fair-Trade certified. Also, the lemongrass organic green tea is also USDA certified. It’s the variety of flavors that consumers can avail from Traditional Medicinals to satisfy their green tea needs.
In case you’re not a plain and grassy tea-lover, try out the refreshing lemongrass Traditional Medicinals green tea teabags. Being completely organic, the green tea will provide a significant boost to brain activity, and if you time it right with your pre-workout routine, you can benefit from the weight-loss properties.
Pantenger Organic Loose Leaf Gyokura Green Tea
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Kraft packaging
- Lab-tested
- Non-GMO certified
- USDA-certified
- Kraft packaging
- Lab-tested
When talking about the most sophisticated green teas of Japanese origins, you must mention the gyokuro green tea leaves. Pantenger offers an amazing blend of Gyokuro, hand-picked green tea leaves for consumers.
While it’s among the expensive types of green teas in the market, its quality compensates for the exorbitant costs. The manufacturer shades the finest bushes from the sun for nearly two weeks and makes sure that proper crafting and drying takes place.
The gyokuro organic loose leaf tea contains a relaxing and calming component called theanine which is also sweet in taste. This blend also contains a rigorous amount of catechins that make it slightly bitter. However, the sweet-bitter taste is what makes this tea popular among green-tea lovers.
The manufacturer is USDA, Non-GMO certified, and operated on a fair-trade basis. Following the lead of nine generations, the family-owned harvesting business in Japan makes sure that only top-quality loose leaf green tea leaves for the US. There’re also local tea ceremonies in Japan that demand the consumption of Gyokuro loose leaf green tea leaves.
The significant boost from the aromatic taste and scent of the tea blend makes this green tea one of the most amazing ones in the market. Pantenger is among the most highly respected and top-quality manufacturers of green tea products.
The manufacturer carries out researches and lab tests for detecting harmful components in the blends. This is done to maintain the quality of the rarely acquired and sold gyokuro green tea leaves.
How to Brew Green Tea – The Right Way
Follow these steps accordingly to give yourself the perfect morning start with your favorite green tea:
- Use a thermometer and boil freshly filtered water up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also boil water and let it cool for no more than 2 minutes.
- Now, pick a teacup or teapot (whatever you prefer) and pour at least 8 to 10 ounces of hot water.
- After that, dip the green tea sachet/teabag in the hot water
- Steep the tea leaves in the sachet/teabag for at least 3 minutes.
- Then, remove the sachet to enjoy a refreshing cup of your favorite green tea.
Loose Leaf Green Tea
If you want to get the most authentic taste of your chosen green tea, go for loose leaves. Here’re the steps to follow for brewing loose leaf green tea:
- Follow steps 1 and 2 from above
- Take a teaspoon of loose leaves if you’re using a teacup or two for a teapot if you like.
- Then, let the loose leaves steep in the teapot or teacup for about 3 minutes.
- Once done, remove the loose leaves because it’s best if you don’t want to keep the green tea steeping in hot water for a more than necessary strong taste.
Buying Guide
When you’re longing for an aromatic taste of the best green tea, you might be hasty in your decision to buy just about any green tea. This is the case for most beginners. However, you should stick with this small buying guide to make sure you get the authentic taste of green teas from around the world.
Origin
Are you planning to your selected green tea online? Or did you plan a visit to the nearest grocery store to search for different green teas? In any case, you must look for the origins of the green tea that you purchase. It’s important because some local retailers and online websites offer low-quality green teas because of good margins and cheaper rates.
It’s not only the origin that you must take note of but also the processing and packaging method. Authentically and carefully processed and packaged green tea will be highly different in tastes and effects. Getting organically-grown green tea leaves is the best option. After learning the origins of green tea, study the manufacturer and how they process the selected green teas.
Certification
Are you unaware of what certifications a tea manufacturer should have? It is best if you spend some time learning about the USDA, ECOCERT, and Fair-Trade certifications that commercial tea leaves manufacturers must show.
These are the most vital certificates, and tea manufacturers must show evidence of them on their online retail store, physical store, and official website for customer confidence. Since you’re buying organic green tea leaves, you have to make sure that the manufacturer has been regulated by the authorities in the industry.
Form (loose-leaf/teabags)
Because the loose leaf is the natural form of green tea leaves, they’re the most delicious and effective in delivering the natural essence. While you will receive the same health benefits or slightly more in comparison to teabags, they will offer a superior taste. Nevertheless, you must make sure you’re purchasing high-quality loose leaf green tea.
Packaging quality
Teabags usually compose cotton, plastic, and paper. But, sometimes, they can be made out of natural materials. The global trend for a “greener” planet and eco-friendly manufacturing practices condemn the use of plastic materials.
So, you should choose eco-friendly and, quite possibly, zero-plastic green tea sachets and tea bags. Our list comprises the best of the best from the markets, so don’t worry about this factor.
Shelf life
In simple words, packaged green tea leaves have a shelf life of a year. As more months pass their manufacture and extraction, they become stale. If not consumed within 12 months after being picked, green tea leaves won’t do any good, whether it’s taste or a gentle caffeine boost. Search for the right brands and pick the ones that deliver according to your requirements within the said timeframe.
FAQs
Here’re answers to some of the most common questions asked by green tea consumers around the world. Take a look and see if the FAQs section addresses your questions.
Is weight loss possible with the use of green tea?
Green teas have a lot of rich antioxidants that can help lose weight. The powerful and nutrient-rich antioxidants boost the fat cell oxidation process. While weight loss is possible through green tea consumption, you must plan a proper diet and choose the right brand that offers organic tea leaves packaged with perfection. People on weight loss programs usually avoid taking up too much coffee and go for a gentle caffeine boost in the morning with green teas.
Do manufacturers add any ingredients or colors to make green tea “green”?
As a beginner and new tea lover, you may not know a lot about the green color of green teas. The green color of all green teas is natural and doesn’t require any preservatives or additives to make the color more visible.
Does flavored green tea taste good?
Flavored green tea is nothing new and has been around for quite some time now. China has been the world’s biggest producer of green teas, and therefore, that’s where you will find the most tantalizing flavored green teas.
Is there caffeine in green tea?
Usually, a standard cup of green tea will have 8-30 milligrams of caffeine which is enough to give a slight kick to brain activity.
Is there a trick to finding the best green tea supplier?
Once you select a type of green tea, brew it first. Then, see if the leaves return to their original character, which is a visible green color. Also, try to taste the leaves after brewing them. High-quality green tea leaves won’t have an after-bitter taste.
Conclusion
Have you found the right pick from the abovementioned green teas? Well, you should try replacing your morning cup of coffee with a freshly brewed green taste. It won’t make you over-energetic or dizzy because of the gentle-caffeine boost, unlike strong coffees.
Fat oxidation can improve and experience a boost if you take a cup as part of your pre-workout diet. Drinking green tea between meals helps in mineral absorption.
About the Author
Twigs cafe staff is comprised of editors, writers, food & drink experts, nutritionists, and researchers to create informative and helpful content for health-conscious people.
