The majority of green tea produced in the world comes from China and Japan with China being the initial country that created tea.
Hundreds of years ago, before innovative processing methods were developed leaves were simply set outside where they dried in the sun. After drying, leaves would then be stored. Thanks to the creation of Chinese green tea, it is now the favorite of all tea varieties in the world.
While black tea soon followed and was a welcomed choice, green tea is still the most valued.
Production of Green Tea
Green tea is a great choice and for people from Asia, they depend on this type of tea, as well as other varieties such as Chinese black tea as a part of life. Even people in westernized worlds love green tea with the most of it coming from China or Japan.
While tea from Asian countries is excellent, green tea is also grown in India and Sri Lanka. Interesting, the flavor of green tea has a distinct flavor depending on where it was grown and processed. For instance, green tea that is grown in India and Sri Lanka is less common but delicious. In fact, most people have no clue that tea is even grown in these countries. Even so, after you sip a cup of green tea from either country, you would be impressed.
Green Tea from Sri Lanka
Green tea grown in Sri Lanka is known as Ceylon, which grows in the highlands of the country covering only about four square miles of land. Tea from this part of the world has full flavor with a malty or nutty undertone. Unlike other varieties of green tea, Ceylon tea is bright colored and bold.
You would even find that the leaves of Ceylon tea are much darker prior to being brewed and once brewed, the tea is darker and richer. This type of exotic tea is made in the same way as green tea from China and the leaves have the same size and shape as many Chinese green tea varieties to include gunpowder green tea.
While tea from Sri Lanka is delicious, it accounts for only a very small amount of tea exported. However, with such great response to this herbal tea, it is expected that production levels will rise. Now, if you have had Chinese and Japanese green tea, once you taste the flavor of Ceylon tea, you will likely be surprised at the difference.
Green Tea from India
Green tea produced in India comes in two types, which includes Darjeeling and Assam. Both are considered healthy tea that provides wonderful flavors, making them very popular.
With Assam tea, it is grown in the northeast part of the country right on the Burma border. In this region, loose black tea is also grown, producing more than 1.5 million pounds annually. However, for Assam green tea, this is a newer option but many people find it favorable. This tea is medium bodied with great flavor with a hint of malt and a slight touch of honey.
When brewing Assam green tea, you would not taste any bitterness. For this reason, it makes an excellent all-around choice. Now, for black tea, most often it is blended with other teas rather than served alone whereas Assam green teas are standalone and not blended.
The other type of Indian green tea is Darjeeling, which has to grow at 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. At this height, temperatures are cool with a slight mist. These qualities coupled with soil that drains well results in an amazing and distinct flavor of green tea, which people find relaxing.
In fact, people from Great Britain prefer Darjeeling black tea, often used for afternoon teatime. The first tea colonies in India were actually started by the British as a means of supporting production of tea from Asia.
The Darjeeling region of India has long been great for growing tea and to experience the fields, tourists can enjoy a tram ride up the Himalayan, looking at the gorgeous crops that grow in tea gardens.
Throughout the entire world, Darjeeling is one of the largest of all regions that produce tea yet when it comes to green tea; it holds only a small portion of the market. One thing for sure is that this type of green is that it is unique, different from green tea grown anywhere else. This type of green tea has a hint of flower and it has a milder body than black tea produced in Darjeeling.
With a grassy flavor as well that you would expect from green tea, Darjeeling tea is often characterized as being musky. After being brewed, the tea is lighter in color than black tea from this region, actually having a soft aroma and amber color.
Although Sri Lanka and India do not grow as much green tea as China, finding high quality Indian or Ceylon teas is a little more challenging. The good news is that these types of teas are becoming increasingly popular so they are not as hard to find as they were five years ago. If you shop around for various tea companies in the US, some do carry both options.
If you want a different, richer flavor with green tea than what you get from China or Japan, then perhaps you should reach further and try Ceylon or Indian green tea.
Not only is green tea light and refreshing, it has also been rated as one of the healthiest of all teas. Again, while it might take more work to find Ceylon or Indian green tea, the time spent is worth it.
