Green tea...

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by CCIP

That doesn't mean you need to learn the tea ceremony to appreciate them, but brewing them right will make a lot of difference.

I had the privilege to have repeatedly gotten served green tea in the ceremonial way by my trainer and mentor, who was Japanese. For that, the powder form of the tea is used, completly pulverised, and then a bamboo brush used to shake it in the water.

It tastes completely different. And if I am honest: not necessarily better.

Also one thing you should know: the real premium quality of the yearly tea harvest never leaves the country, but is exclusively for the national market. If you have the chance to order it via a friend you have in Japan, or stay there yourself, go for these teas, if you can. What they bring to the European and American market, is ALWAYS just second choice, no matter what they tell you in the tea shop.

Maybe you cannot get access to these. But at least you can stay away from teabags and tea with added aromes.