What are green teas?

Green teas are made from the same Camellia sinensis leaves as black teas, but they are processed differently. Instead of being allowed to oxidise after picking, the leaves are heated quickly to preserve their fresh, green character. That is what gives green tea its lively, grassy and often more delicate profile.

Our green tea collection reflects just how varied green tea can be. Although green tea began in China, it is now produced in many tea-growing regions, and the collection includes styles from China, Japan, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. That gives you a wide range of flavours to explore, from soft and fragrant to more robust, toasty or jasmine-scented cups.

What do green teas taste like?

Green teas can taste fresh, grassy, floral, nutty, toasty or softly sweet depending on how they are made. Some are light and delicate, some are fuller and more savoury, and others carry added fragrance through jasmine or toasted rice. That breadth is one of the reasons green tea is such a rewarding category to explore.

A very good place to begin is Gunpowder “Temple of Heaven”, a classic Chinese green tea with a light smoke and nutty character. For something softer and more aromatic, Jasmine Dragon Pearls offer fragrant jasmine notes as the hand-rolled pearls unfurl in the cup. For a more distinctive speciality style, Genmaicha Yamasaki combines sencha with toasted rice, creating a fuller-bodied tea with a sweet, baked character. Together, these teas show how green tea can move from brisk and classic to floral and delicate, or toasty and comforting.

Why are green teas so distinctive?

Green teas are distinctive because their processing preserves much more of the leaf’s fresh character. That is why they often taste brighter and greener than black teas. Small differences in origin and style can also make a noticeable difference: Chinese greens may feel softer or nuttier, Japanese greens often lean grassier or more savoury, and jasmine or rice-based styles add another layer of character altogether.

This is why a green tea collection can include such a broad range of experiences while still feeling coherent. From gunpowder and sencha to jasmine styles and genmaicha, the common thread is freshness, clarity and a more lightly processed style of tea.

Does green tea have caffeine?

Yes, green tea naturally contains caffeine, although the amount can vary by style and preparation. The current collection also includes Chinese Sencha Grade A, described as naturally low in caffeine, which shows that some green teas may feel gentler than others. Green tea is often chosen by people who want a fresher, lighter-feeling cup than a typical black tea.

How should you drink green tea?

Green tea is usually best enjoyed without milk so its freshness and finer flavours can come through properly. It can be brewed hot for a clean, fragrant cup, and many green teas also work well served cold. A straightforward Chinese green makes a good everyday choice, jasmine green tea suits those who prefer a more floral cup, and Japanese styles can appeal if you enjoy something grassier or more toasty.

Explore our green tea collection

Our green tea collection is designed to show just how broad and enjoyable green tea can be. Whether you are looking for a classic loose leaf green tea, a more aromatic jasmine style, or a fuller Japanese green tea, there is plenty to discover in the collection.