Green Tea Essay

441 Words2 Pages
GREEN TEA Tea (Camellia sinensis) is picked by plucking the top two leaves and a bud. These two leaves and a bud are then fired, shaped and or,rolled,,cut, and dried. Chinese green teas are non-oxidized and pan fired. Japanese green teas are non-oxidized and steamed. Chinese green tea should be infused with water at 170 -180 degrees for 2-3 minutes. Japanese green tea should be infused with water at 160-175 degrees for 1-2 minutes. China and Japan are known for producing the finest green teas. Green tea is produced by other countries as well, but the processing of the teas in China and Japan are the most well known. The pan firing method of China green teas and the steaming method of Japanese green teas each help to lock in the flavor and color that green teas are prized for. The flavor of green tea is fresh and often vegetal. The liquor is deeper in color than white teas and more flavorful. Green teas are plucked and fired or steamed to stop the process that causes oxidation. The firing or steaming process is done immediately after plucking to retain as much of the vibrant green color as possible and to stop oxidation. The heating is rapid and the leaves are left more pliable and ready for rolling or shaping. Green Teas of China are tossed by hand in a hot pan or wok or heated in a revolving drum. Wood fires or charcoal, hot air, or steam are used to create distinctive flavors. The leaves can then be shaped by hand or machine and dried. Green Teas of Japan are quickly steamed. The leaves are rolled, pressed, and dried. The rolled leaves produce the Japanese green tea called Sencha. Tea leaves can also be milled into a fine powder called Matcha. Sencha teas are rolled under pressure which breaks the tea into long, slender pieces which are flattened or straightened and dried. Japanese teas can be sun-grown Sencha or Gyokuro shade-grown.. Sencha is a
Open Document