Loose Leaf Green Tea
Known for its freshness, green tea offers a smooth cup with subtle vegetal notes.
Shaped With Care
Douk green tea blends are built around fresh leaves chosen for their bright and lively character.
Light aromatic ingredients may add nuance, while the tea’s freshness and balance remain central.
A Few Things to Know
Clear answers to common questions, so you can explore this selection with ease.
What is green tea?
Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant that undergo very little oxidation during processing. Shortly after harvesting, the leaves used for green tea are typically steamed or pan-fired to stop oxidation and preserve their natural freshness.
As a result, green tea produces a light and vibrant infusion often known for its vegetal notes, gentle sweetness and refreshing character.
If you want to understand how green tea compares to other teas, read our guide on the difference between green, white, and black tea.
Where does green tea come from?
Green tea originated in China thousands of years ago and later spread across many parts of Asia. Today, green tea is widely produced in regions such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and India.
Each country has developed distinct traditions and processing techniques, which gives green tea a remarkable diversity of aromas, textures and styles.
What makes green tea different from other teas?
Green tea differs from other teas mainly because oxidation is halted soon after harvesting. The leaves used for green tea are usually steamed or pan-fired, which helps preserve their natural colour and delicate character.
This processing method gives green tea a lighter and fresher flavour profile compared with more oxidized teas such as black tea.
Learn more in our article explaining the difference between green, white, and black tea.
What are the main varieties of green tea?
Many varieties of green tea exist depending on the region and production method. Chinese green tea varieties such as Long Jing or Chun Mee often display nutty or toasted notes. Japanese green tea styles such as Sencha or Matcha typically present deeper vegetal flavours and umami richness.
These differences reflect variations in cultivation, steaming, rolling and drying techniques used to produce green tea.
What flavors can green tea have?
Green tea can present a wide spectrum of flavours depending on its origin, terroir and processing style. Some green tea varieties show fresh grassy or vegetal notes, while others reveal nutty, sweet or slightly marine aromas.
High-quality green tea often offers a balanced profile combining freshness, gentle sweetness and subtle aromatic complexity.
What are the benefits of green tea?
Green tea contains natural antioxidants known as catechins, which help protect the body against oxidative stress. Green tea also provides L-theanine, an amino acid associated with calm concentration and mental clarity.
Together, these compounds contribute to the balanced and gentle stimulation often associated with green tea.
For a deeper explanation of these compounds, see our article on green tea health benefits.
Does green tea contain caffeine?
Yes, green tea naturally contains caffeine because green tea is produced from the Camellia sinensis plant.
However, the caffeine level in green tea is typically lower than in coffee and often slightly lower than in black tea, producing a milder and more balanced stimulating effect.
You can learn more in our guide answering does green tea have caffeine.
When is the best time to drink green tea?
Green tea is often enjoyed in the morning or early afternoon thanks to the gentle stimulation it provides.
Many people appreciate green tea for its ability to support focus and clarity without the stronger intensity associated with coffee.
How do you prepare green tea?
To prepare green tea, use about 2–3 grams of green tea leaves for approximately 200 ml of water heated to around 70–85 °C.
Allow the green tea to steep for about 2–3 minutes before straining. Using slightly cooler water helps preserve the delicate flavours of green tea and prevents excessive bitterness.
If you're brewing loose leaves for the first time, see how to brew loose leaf tea.
How should green tea be stored?
Green tea should be stored in an airtight container away from light, air, humidity and strong odors.
Because green tea is more delicate than oxidized teas, proper storage is particularly important to maintain the freshness and aromatic qualities of green tea leaves. You can read our full guide on how to store loose leaf tea.