The intention when producing green tea is to preserve the natural and medicinal qualities of Camellia sinensis. After the leaves are picked they are left in the sun to wither. They are then either pan fired (China), steamed (Japan), or rotated in heat cylinders (India). This process prevents the leaves from oxidizing. Next the leaves are rolled giving them a distinct appearance while helping to regulate the release of the natural substances and flavor during the steeping process. In the final step the leaves are dried by firing. This preserves the natural fragrances and flavors. Green tea produces an astringent and flavorful infusion that is golden green in color.
The medicinal properties of green tea come mostly from the polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants found in fruits, garlic, potatoes, and some varieties of nuts. There are many kinds of polyphenols, but the catechins (polyphenols in tea) may be the strongest and most remarkable of all. There are five major types of catechins in green tea, of them epigallo catechin gallate (EGCg) is the most potent and has the highest level with the broadest spectrum of cancer fighting activity.
A cup of green tea contains approximately 40-90 mg. of EGCg and approximately 20 milligrams of caffeine.
Chinese Green Tea
Gunpowder*
One of China’s best-known teas, Gunpowder is said to be high in fluoride and other minerals. The silver green, tender buds and tips are rolled into loosely balled pellets that brew to a light amber cup, with a good body and a light lemon after-taste.
Brew tea at 180º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $7.00
Gu Zhang Mao Jian
Also known as Xin Fur Tip, this is one of China's ten famous teas and is treasured for its refreshing taste and pleasant aroma. The finest and most tender Mao Jian tea leaves are picked from tea trees growing in the high mountain area of Xin Yang. This harvest area is known as "5 mountains and 2 pools".
Silver-tipped tea leaves yield a light yellow liquor which when infused, quickly sink to the bottom of the cup. It is a very delicate tea with a light, slightly sweet floral taste.
Brew at 180º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1 oz: $2.00
4 oz: $6.50
Jasmine
Jasmine Tea is a famous tea made from Green or Pouchong (Chinese Green) tea leaves that are scented with jasmine flowers. The jasmine flowers are harvested during the day and stored in a cool place until night. During the night, the flowers bloom with full fragrance. The flowers are layered over the tea leaves during the scenting process. The quality of Jasmine tea is determined by the quality of green tea used as its base and the effectiveness of the scenting. This is a mid-grade Jasmine tea and is one of our most popular teas.
Brew tea at 195º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $5.00
Young Hyson
Also known as Chunmee or Precious Eyebrow. From southwest China, these teas, picked before the spring rains. Named after Phillip Hyson, a young English tea merchant. The Chinese name Chunmee comes from the shape the leaf takes on after processing. There is great skill required to produce this tea. During the second wok firing, the leaf is hand-rolled and tightly twisted to resemble a finely-shaped brow.
This very popular tea can be enjoyed any time of the day. The leaves produce a brew that is golden yellow in color with a flavor that's more full-bodied and pungent than other green teas with a hint of sweetness.
Brew tea at 180º and steep for 1-2 minutes.
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $5.00
Jasmine Dragon PearlOne of the finest teas in the universe, these tightly rolled, white-green pellets impart a heavenly jasmine flavor! When brewed, the pearls unfurl to reveal a bud and two leaves picked from the very top of the tea plant. They are prepared by mixing the delicate flowers of the night-blooming jasmine with tea each evening. With nightfall, the blossoms open and infuse the tea with their sweet aroma. Each morning, the spent flowers are removed and fresh blossoms readied for the evening. This process is repeated a number of times, depending on the grade of tea. For top jasmine grades, the nightly infusion continue for twelve consecutive nights. Jasmine tea is said to reduce nervous tension, decrease saturated fat in the body and increase circulation. Jasmine Dragon Pearl is more dense than other teas so one or two teaspoons for a teapot is all that is required
Brew 1 teaspoon per cup or teapot at 180º-190º and steep for 1 - 1½ minutes
1oz: $2.50 out of stock
4oz: $10.00 out of stock
Princeton Chai
for you chai lovers out there we've blended our famous chai spice blend with our delicious vanilla green tea. your new favorite tea
Vanilla Green Tea, Ginger*, Cinnamon*, Cloves*, Fennel*, Orange Peel*, Honey Baked Licorice, Cocoa Powder*, and Chili Peppers*
Brew tea at 212º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $6.50
Guns & Roses
a traditional blend popular in China, the roses add a lovely floral note to the full-bodied gunpowder to produce a tea Axel Rose would be proud of. rock on!!
Gunpowder Green Tea & Rose Petals
Brew tea at 180º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $8.00
Young Wise One
wise up and grow young to this delicious and earthy energizing house blend. confucius would be happy!
be careful not to use boiling water with this tea as the young hyson becomes very astringent with hotter water and don't brew it too long either. once you get the temperature and steeping time right this will be your life long friend
Young Hyson Green Tea*, Goji Berries, White Ginseng, Rose Hips* & a tiny bit of Licorice root
Brew tea at 192º and steep for 1 minute
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $7.50
Japanese Green Tea
Sencha*
Sencha is the most widely enjoyed green tea in Japan. You'll find it everywhere you turn, in varying grades. It can be recognized by its shiny, needle-like shaped tea leaves with strong fragrance. Along with the springtime blossoming of cherry trees, the first harvest of sencha is highly anticipated and celebrated. It's thought to be the first taste of the coming year in tea, and very lucky to give as a gift. This first harvest is referred to as "shincha".
The tea plants used to make sencha are grown in full sun. Processing is a series of six steps that begins with steaming (halts oxidization, preserves the color, aroma and taste). The leaves are then partially dried and machine twisted, making them soft and pliant. This step is repeated, with a second round of drying and twisting, resulting in increased fragrance and needle-shaped leaves. A third round of drying finishes the process. The tea then is hand-sorted to remove any stray stems. Sencha can be enjoyed right after being made (needs no maturing), and generally has a 6 months shelf life.
Brewing: The key with sencha is to use soft water at a low temperature with a short steeping time. It's a delicate tea, and does well made in a small vessel like a gaiwan or kyusu.
Brew tea at 180º and steep for 1-2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4 oz: $8.00
Matcha
Also known as ‘Powdered green tea’ and traditionally used in ‘Chanoyu’ - the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Matcha has a special spiritual significance in Japan. It is said that a person operating within the rules of Chanoyu finds the five senses working at their fullest.
Matcha first began its rise in the popular Japanese culture through Zen Buddhist Ritual in the 12th Century. By the 13th it has also been embraced by Samurai Warrior Culture, and thus the foundations of the tea ceremony were laid.
Just as Matcha is essential to Japan’s traditional art of the tea ceremony, a cup of Matcha brings about mental concentration, emotional stability, and composure of the mind. Many people are surprised to discovered that matcha comes from the same plant as all other teas (Camelia Sinensis), and is the world’s most nutritious know natural beverage. Unlike black tea and green tea whose ingredients are infused in water and discarded, Matcha has ingredients that can be utilized fully to activate the organic functions of human body. It is a beverage good for both the mind and the body. In addition to the plethora of benefits found in the powerful antioxidant, EGCG, which is found in Matcha, this organic Japanese import has appealed to one crowd in particular; the increasing numbers of holistic, alternative healing, health conscious and Yogi population have all welcomed this high quality green tea into their daily lives because it is commonly known to assist in meditative focus, calming and relaxation. Matcha contains essential vitamins and minerals and has shown long term health benefits due to its many disease fighting nutrients. It has 9 times the beta carotene of spinach, 4 times that of carrots, and approximately 10 times the polyphenols and antioxidants of regular teas.
In making this tea, the tea plants are covered with bamboo mats in the last few weeks of their growing season to promote full flavor. After the leaves are plucked, they are immediately steamed to spread the chlorophyll throughout the leaves and stop any oxidation. The leaves are then dried and rapidly cooled. The resulting dried product is called rough tea, or Aracha. Aracha is then cut into small pieces and the twigs, veins and stems are removed. The leaves are dried again and the resulting product is known as Tencha. Tencha is then ground by stone mills in a climate-controlled, clean room to produce Matcha. A single mill can only process 40 grams of leaves per hour.
The physical and mental benefits associated with the matcha experience have also encouraged creative thinkers and culinary artists from all professions to find multiple uses for this pure green tea. Ice cream makers, chefs, bakers, and creative culinary types foodies across the world are increasingly using gourmet quality matcha. Matcha green tea recipes include everything from green tea latte and green tea smoothies to dessert matcha and ice cream matcha. It is an understatement to say that matcha has come a long way from its sole use in Japanese tea ceremonies.
Matcha has a sweet, buttery and rich oceanic taste. It is ideally prepared with a bamboo whisk in a bowl. However, it can also be prepared in a variety of drinks, shakes, smoothies, ice cream, cookies and other baked goods.
Matcha Ceremonial Grade
DoMatcha Japanese ceremonial grade matcha is the best matcha we could find. Tea plants are harvested in fields high in the mountains of Aichi, Japan. As in ancient times, they're carefully picked, steamed, dried, and ground by a granite stone mill into the finest matcha green tea powder. Use this for special occasions and Japan's famous Chanoyu tea ceremony. Comes in a very nice 1oz tin.
Flavor Profile: Creamy, oceanic, slightly sweet & very fragrant.
Heat water to 150°-170° and use 1-2 tsp per 8 ounces of water
$25.99 out of stock
Genmaicha*
Bancha with toasted brown rice. One of the most unique teas, the rice gives the sencha a slightly nutty flavor. Delicious straight or with a touch of sweetener, we think you'll like this Japanese staple. Great as a unique gift!
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1 oz: $2.00
4 oz: $8.00
Raspberry Green Tea*
Sencha with dried rasperries and Hibiscus. This is one of our favorite teas to enjoy over ice on a hot day. Try it as a popsicle for a natural alternative to the over-processed sugary ones!! Or just enjoy it hot for a nice change from regular green teas.
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1oz: $2.25
4oz: $9.00
Strawberry Green Tea*
Another yummy iced tea for the strawberry lovers!
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1oz: $2.25
4oz: $9.00
Green Earl Grey*
Sencha with bergamot. You Earl Grey lovers have to try this delightful tea. It has a fairly strong bergamot flavor and the green tea allows one to enjoy an afternoon cup without worry being up all night.
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $8.00
Vanilla Green Tea
Sencha with natural vanilla flavor. Vanilla lover unite! One cup and you'll be hooked. Another hot or iced favorite of ours.
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $5.00
Green Tea With a Twist*
We know there's a lot of people out there who like their tea with a twist of lemon so we blended up this in-house formula for you in case you're short on a lemon. Not only does it impart a light lemon flavor but offers medicinal properties to boot.
Sencha Green Tea*, Lemon Myrtle*, Lemon Balm*, Lemongrass* and Lemon Peel*
Brew tea at 190º and steep for 2 minutes
1oz: $2.00
4oz: $8.00