23 replies to this topic

[InquilineKea]

Keep in mind that I'm a student with two priorities: (a) to keep a healthy body with MINIMAL EFFORT needed for a GIVEN level of desired health and (b) to increase my focus and attention span. Now the latter is somewhat desirable when it comes to my desire to drink tea, but I'm also willing to sacrifice some caffeine for health benefits.

So when it comes to some mixture of healthfulness AND caffeine, which brand of green tea is most healthful? Gunpowder, mate lemon, etc etc etc? Which green teas have caffeine levels that are most similar to those of black tea?

[dehbleh]

Aim for high-grade Japanese Sencha. If you can afford it, Gyokuro would be the next one up.

Stay away from chinese or any western green tea as it often unnecessarily processed (via methods like frying, leaching etc..)

The Japanese know their green tea and you will almost certainly taste/feel the difference. If you're after an inexpensive source, go no further than ebay. I bought a years supply for $90.00 (I'm a heavy drinker).

Edited by dehbleh, 08 March 2008 - 11:44 PM.

[ajnast4r]

is there a teavana near you?

[OneScrewLoose]

Aim for high-grade Japanese Sencha. If you can afford it, Gyokuro would be the next one up.

Stay away from chinese or any western green tea as it often unnecessarily processed (via methods like frying, leaching etc..)

The Japanese know their green tea and you will almost certainly taste/feel the difference. If you're after an inexpensive source, go no further than ebay. I bought a years supply for $90.00 (I'm a heavy drinker).

Can you gives some links to some examples that you would approve of on ebay?

[Matt]

The worst one I have tasted is Clipper Green tea. Doesn't look good, or taste that good. But I have to have that for now because it's the only decaf green tea I've found.

However I would usually use Jacksons Sencha Green tea. Around $3 for 20 tea bags.

[yoyo]

Don't buy bagged tea.

[Gerald W. Gaston]

I'm not much for tea bags so mine comes from teatech (I buy the non-sweetened or "enhanced" with stevia):

http://www.teatech.c..._of_our_tea.php

Edited by frankbuzin, 10 March 2008 - 05:36 AM.

[stephen_b]

I've been happy purchasing from Upton tea imports. Just browsing, I see 23 green teas from Japan, 52 from China, 24 white teas -- in short, big selection.

Stephen

[dehbleh]

Ahh yes... Sencha

It has an almost grassy flavour, very natural in taste.

My tea dealer at the moment is brigita_in_japan
http://stores.ebay.c...anese-Green-Tea

They give you free samples when you order

Edited by dehbleh, 15 March 2008 - 01:34 AM.

[spaceistheplace]

Eden sells some decent sencha. Which reminds me, has anyone tried their genmaicha (green tea + brown rice)?

[Athanasios]

which brand of green tea is most healthful?

Sencha in powdered form. I get mine from Japan as well. It is fairly cheap and MANY times more effective than a non-powdered tea for health benefits. It is also convenient since you do not brew it. Just take some and put it in a water bottle and shake.

[stephen_b]

Eden sells some decent sencha. Which reminds me, has anyone tried their genmaicha (green tea + brown rice)?

I have today. It's .... different, supposedly known for it's complex flavors. I'll have to see whether I get used to it. The brown rice seems to be toasted, so there is a bit of a toasted flavor to the tea.

Stephen

[Hedgehog]

Keep in mind that I'm a student with two priorities: (a) to keep a healthy body with MINIMAL EFFORT needed for a GIVEN level of desired health and (b) to increase my focus and attention span. Now the latter is somewhat desirable when it comes to my desire to drink tea, but I'm also willing to sacrifice some caffeine for health benefits.

So when it comes to some mixture of healthfulness AND caffeine, which brand of green tea is most healthful? Gunpowder, mate lemon, etc etc etc? Which green teas have caffeine levels that are most similar to those of black tea?

I'm currently making a website for a tea company (they want to start selling in the United States). I'm not an avid tea drinker but their green tea seems to be pretty good (good flavor not bitter and its NOT tea dust it actually looks like rolled dried tea leafs!).

Maybe I can talk them into giving a discount to us. I might be able to extract the caffeine and get an idea of how much caffeine is in their product.

[shadowrun]

Jade Monkey (a version of Straight Green tea) from Numi tastes exceptional - I've tried Gunpowder Green from them and I also found it to be excellent.

I received a stocking stuffer with a 24 count variety pack for Xmas and i'm impressed with just about all the teas I tried from Numi -

I also drink Tea's Tea - Purified water and Tea - No sugar added - They have different flavors based on various flowers, lemongrass a mix of green and white tea - There's also a Golden Oolong.
I wouldnt be able to have them so often if my gf didn't get them for free from her lunch room at work. I highly recommend them if you want a cold bottled tea.

Edited by shadowrun, 08 April 2008 - 04:25 AM.

[javyn]

I really don't care for green tea, but I'd say the best is what you like the best, since you'll drink more of it anyway. I'm a big fan of white and oolong teas. I think I'll go make a cup of bai hao yinzhen now...

[Agarikon]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned matcha, the most powerfull form of all green tea. It has a ton more antioxidants and other nutrients that you don't get when you only brew the tea.

[excitatory]

If you don't mind ordering online, there are many importers of tea available for you to choose from. I cannot speak for most of them, but the local importer (Rishi-tea) in my city is quite passionate about tea and does an excellent job selecting the finest teas available to them. In fact, they even claim that only 2% of all the world's tea is up to their standard.

From their genesis, they have always been concerned with high-quality, fair trade, and organic teas, but recently the push to move all of their teas to this status has increased. For instance, currently all of their Japanese green teas are certified organic. I also know that they are a source direct importer, meaning it is not passing through anyone else's hands before it gets to you. I believe they ship almost anywhere via their website, and it may even be available in your area, usually in natural food stores. I drink their tea nearly every day and fully endorse all of their products.

If you're interested, their website is: http://www.rishi-tea.com/

Also, as a few other people mentioned, save the tea bags for herbal infusions such as peppermint or chamomile. Processing tea and putting it into a tea bag is just profane.

.:excitatory

Edited by excitatory, 15 April 2008 - 09:56 PM.

[Miracle]

I have a stomach ulcer and i shouldnt be drinking caffiene, although there are some caffiene free green teas, are they just as effective for health and well being?

[Athanasios]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned matcha, the most powerfull form of all green tea. It has a ton more antioxidants and other nutrients that you don't get when you only brew the tea.

Powdered Sencha is the strongest in EGCG of any tea recorded. The powdered form is 3x times the matcha powdered, both of which are MANY times more potent than non-powdered.

[Agarikon]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned matcha, the most powerfull form of all green tea. It has a ton more antioxidants and other nutrients that you don't get when you only brew the tea.

Powdered Sencha is the strongest in EGCG of any tea recorded. The powdered form is 3x times the matcha powdered, both of which are MANY times more potent than non-powdered.

I didn't know powdered sencha existed...thnxs for filling me in. I think I read somewhere that because matcha tea is grown differently it has the most aminos and chlorophyll. But given the high price you're probably better off getting powdered sencha and finding a cheaper source for chlorophyll and the extra aminos (probably theanine) if you desire.

On a side note: many of the sellers of matcha tea also try to sell you on the ceremony that used to be involved in drinking the tea...you don't have to purchase bowls and bamboo whisks to enjoy matcha. Its easy to mix it with your own set of kitchen utensils.

[Heliotrope]

Don't buy bagged tea.

why not bagged tea? So is powdered tea or the dried little bits of tea leaves much better? I do like to chew on the tea leaves occasionally, feels like real tea, but find tea bags are easier to brew with. I can simply microwave a cup of water and steep in the bag.

haven't tried powdered tea yet, but if i can use mix it with cold water in a bottle, it'll be easier for me to make a lot and bring to classes throughout the day. i already drink powdered Gaterade mixes.

Edited by HYP86, 19 April 2008 - 10:59 AM.

[stephen_b]

I didn't know powdered sencha existed...thnxs for filling me in.

I've tried powdered sencha and just don't like the taste. Matcha on the other hand I find delicious. To each their own.

Stephen

[Benedictus]

I didn't know powdered sencha existed...thnxs for filling me in.

I've tried powdered sencha and just don't like the taste. Matcha on the other hand I find delicious. To each their own.

I agree, and also; There is way too much iron in sencha, which is practically missing in matcha.