Green Tea Drink

20/07/2023

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06/05/2017

23/04/2017

Green tea is called Camellia Sinensis (Latin). It comes from the same evergreen shrub that black tea comes from. Green tea is obtained by the light steaming of fresh tea leaves. The light processing method of tea leaves to make green tea leaves behind polyphenols, including the powerful antioxidants proanthocynadin and catechin.

Before we go in to the uses and benefits of green tea, lets look at why green tea is the most powerful antioxidant. Unlike other teas, such as black tea, green tea is not fermented, which gives it much more potent antioxidant properties, since fermentation destroys many of the health benefits contained within the tea leaves.

This is why the benefits of green tea extract are much more powerful than many other teas.

Polyphenols of green tea enhances the body's antioxidant enzymes including glutathione. This may be helpful in the treatment of arthritis. Glutathione has been proven to reduce inflammation and cartilage breakdown. Drinking green tea can protect against many diseases that are caused by free radical damage.

The antioxidant effects of green tea can lower the risk of developing cancer of the digestive system, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer. Heart disease risk is lowered by the reduction of cholesterol levels. If cholesterol levels are to high, this could lead to arthrosclerosis and blood clots.

Green tea may play a part in relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes if it's taken both day and night. Green tea may also help to balance estrogen levels. This can not only help to alleviate hot flashes, but also prevent certain types of breast cancers.

Tooth decay can be prevented by the use of green tea, the air flow in the lungs of asthma patients' are improved, and mental alertness is strengthened. Green tea extract is used as an appetite suppressant in weight loss.

Further In To the Benefits of Green Tea

Many studies by various researchers have shown that green tea has been shown to be 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C, and over twenty times more powerful than Vitamin E as an anti oxidant. Antioxidants neutralize and stop free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that can damage cells, such as the body's DNA, leading to premature aging and disease. You need antioxidants to combat free radicals, otherwise you will slowly decay on the inside.

Anti oxidants are needed by everyone to sustain health, prevent disease, and improve longevity. This is why you are told to ear plenty of vegetables and fruits, as the vitamins and minerals within these vibrant foods, contain hoards of antioxidants.

Because green teat has great antioxidant strength, green tea extract acts as a powerful immune system booster, which is just one of the many benefits of green tea for your health.

It is said that green tea may be one of the most potent nutrients in the fight against various forms of cancer and heart disease. The benefits of green tea extract keep on impressing researchers of modern medicine. As an alternative health remedy, many people turn to green tea for its known benefits.

Lets take a look at what green tea can do - it has been shown to reduce the damage caused by LDL (bad) cholesterol, which, if completely left, leads to the buildup of plaque in your arterial walls. This build up can cause heart attacks if left unchecked.

Also, green tea extract contains a compound that appears to reduce cancer cells even causing them to die off and stop reproducing. Green tea may be useful to prevent cancer, or help those with the disease.

Experts of nutrition are positive thatl the benefits of green tea extract will be shown in the future to be just as helpful for breast, stomach, and skin cancers also.

Finally, green tea seems to be a substance that can regulate glucose -- the body's main source of fuel. Any glucose that isn't used within the body becomes is stored by the body as fat. Because of this, green tea may be beneficial in helping one lose weight.

Green tea comes in the forms of tea bags, pure green tea extract supplements, or combination supplements. It is readily available in most super markets and health food stores. If three cups of green tea are consumed daily, it is likely you will reap some of the health benefits of green tea we have mentioned.

Precautions

You have seen many benefits from green tea, however, there are some poins to consider - green tea itself has caffeine. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, but unfortunately has a wide range of side effects. Most people are fine with caffeine intake; however, some don't take to caffeine, very, so for that reason these people, as well as woman who are pregnant should limit their intake of green tea.

The good news however is that green tea extract supplements in capsule form have far less caffeine than the tea form -- and some special supplements are completely decaffeinated, while leaving all of the health benefits of green tea.

Our Tips For Obtaining The Best Green Tea benefits

1. Supplements in the U.S and UK. are largely unregulated many consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a supplement with the amount of ingredients stated on the product label, or one that does not contain harmful contaminants. You can read more on this industry wide problem here.

Due to the above points, purchase your nutritional products from only pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, such places adhere to the most rigorous manufacturing standards in the world for the processing of nutritional supplements.

2. The Potency of herbs can vary tremendously from one part of a herb to another. The "essence" of the herb is contained within the fiber of the plant and may constitute as little as 1/1000th of the dried weight of the plant. When the "essence" is extracted it is known as a standardized extract.

Many people don't know much about herbs and think herbs in product is the same as another, this is false information, and because of the above points, we believe people should purchase standardized green tea extract if they truly want the best health benefits of green tea.

Many herbal products on the market do not use standardized extracts because it is far cheaper for the manufacturer to use cheaper lower quality ingredients.

Standardized extracts also ensure you are getting the same amount of potency, which means you will get the same benefits of green tea extract -- from one capsule to the next. This is much more balance and again leads to much better therapeutic benefits.

The product we personally use called Total Balance, which contains green tea - [http://www.natural-nutritional-health-supplement.com] is the best supplement we have come across. We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly reccomend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement [http://www.natural-nutritional-health-supplement.com] if you are interested in improving your overall health.

John Gibb runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition e-book [http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html], for more information on our nutrition book.

23/04/2017

Green tea has been the most popular drink in Asian countries for centuries. But, in the Western world, black tea has been overwhelmingly more popular than green tea until recently. But, as we have learned more about green tea's unique taste and many health benefits, it has gained popularity all over the world.

Green tea, like black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between green and black tea comes from how the tea is processed. Black tea is fermented during processing; green tea is not. After the tea leaves are plucked, they are laid out to wither for about 8 to 24 hours.

This lets most of the water evaporate. Next, to prevent the oxidation (fermentation) process, the leaves are steamed or pan fried. Finally the leaves are rolled before a final drying takes place. After this final drying, the leaves, which still look green, can now be sorted, graded and packaged.

The lack of fermentation causes green tea to look, smell and taste different than black tea. It typically brews to a pale green color and has a bit of a grassy flavor and aroma. This lack of fermentation also causes green tea to have more health benefits than black tea.

The fermenting process used for black and oolong teas causes a compound called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to be oxidized, and converts it into other compounds. EGCG is a very powerful anti-oxidant, but the compounds it converts to during fermenting are not as healthful.

This difference means that this powerful anti-oxidant is in its most natural state; the state in which it provides the most protection to the body.

EGCG, like other anti-oxidants are important to the body because they rid our bodies of free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that are created as a byproduct of our digestive processes. Unless they are eradicated from our bodies, free radicals damage our cells and DNA, causing aging and disease.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and other plant based foods like green tea and wine, help us get the anti-oxidants we need to stay healthy. And, EGCG is one of the best and most protective anti-oxidants found in any food.

For this reason, cultures who have traditionally consumed large amounts of green tea throughout their lives have been shown to have lower incidences of many serious illnesses including cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol. In recent years there has been much scientific research linking green tea with a longer, healthier life.

Green tea has also been shown to aid in weight loss by speeding up the metabolism and increasing the oxidation of fat cells in the body. For years it was assumed that green tea's caffeine was responsible for this ability to aid weight loss.

However, more recent research has shown that green tea is more effective at speeding weight loss than other beverages with higher caffeine contents. Researchers have concluded that it is the caffeine in green tea combined with green tea's anti-oxidants that make green tea a better weight loss supplement than other caffeinated beverages.

Green tea was first grown in China. Most of the green tea grown today is grown in China and Japan, which is also where most of the world's green tea is consumed. However, it has gained a great deal of popularity in other parts of the world, primarily because we now better understand its health benefits.

Today, nearly any tea purveyor will carry green tea in loose form. There are many green tea varieties with distinct tastes. In addition, there are many varieties of flavored green tea. These appeal to the many people who may not find plain green tea's somewhat grassy flavor to be appealing. When flavored with other fruits and herbs, green tea can take on many different flavors.

One of the most traditional green tea forms is matcha. This form of green tea is used in Japanese tea ceremonies and was the primary form of green tea in Japan for centuries. Matcha is simply green tea that has been crushed into powder form. It is then whisked into hot water to make traditional Japanese green tea. Most other parts of the world use loose tea to make green tea rather than matcha.

Today, there are many varieties of green tea. Different green teas will have slightly different tastes depending upon the region in which they are grown and how they are flavored. If you're new to drinking green tea, there are many places to buy green tea and many flavors with which to experiment.

To brew a cup of green tea, use fresh cold water. Fill your kettle and place it on the stove to heat. While the water is heating, add warm tap water to your teapot and your cups, if you wish, to warm them. When the water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and remove the tap water from your teapot. Let the water sit for about 2 minutes.

Green tea should be brewed with water that is about 160°F, which is cooler than most other teas. Add the green tea to your teapot and pour water over the leaves. Use about 1 teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Most green tea should steep about 1-2 minutes before serving. The best green tea should give you 2-3 infusions.

There are many varieties and flavors of green tea for you to try. Buy a few different green teas in small quantities until you find the green tea that's perfect for you.

Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company

23/04/2017

For years, green tea was consumed almost exclusively in Asia. For centuries, green tea has been used by Chinese herbalists to treat many health maladies from menstrual difficulties to headaches. In China and Japan, most people drink green tea all day long. However, here in the Western world it has gained popularity only in the last few years. There are many ways to enjoy green tea, and many things to learn about it. There are several differences between green tea and other types of tea.

Processing - Green tea comes from the same plant as black tea, but it is processed differently. Green tea, however, is not fermented like black tea. Green tea leaves are laid out to wither for about 8 to 24 hours after plucking to allow most of the water to evaporate. Next, to prevent the oxidation (fermentation) process, the leaves are steamed or pan fried. Finally the leaves are rolled and then dried again, unlike black tea leaves, which are cut.

Flavor - Because green tea is in a very natural state, it tastes more plant like than black tea. Most people describe green tea as having a somewhat "grassy" taste. It is green and somewhat pale in color, and can become bitter if over brewed. Green tea can have subtleties and differences in aroma and flavor based on the variety of the tea plant and the region in which the tea is grown.

In addition, there are many flavored green teas. Green teas are blended with herbs or fruit to create a wide variety of flavors. Many people who don't enjoy the taste of plain green tea love the combination of green tea with other flavors.

Serving method - Green tea needs cooler water than any other tea for proper brewing. Water for green tea should be heated to about 160°F. It can be enjoyed with sweetener, milk or lemon if you prefer. Green tea can also be enjoyed cold. Keeping a pitcher of iced green tea in your refrigerator lets you enjoy its health benefits all day long.

Caffeine Content - Green tea contains only about half the amount of caffeine as black tea. Black tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine per serving, while green tea contains just 20. In addition, caffeine in tea has been shown to be less likely to cause jitters than other caffeinated beverages.

Health Benefits - Green tea has received a lot of attention in recent years because it has been shown in research to be very effective at preventing many diseases and even in treating some. The natural anti-oxidants in green tea make it one of the most powerful health protectors you can consume as part of your diet. Green tea may be effective in:

Reducing your risk of some forms of cancer - Many different studies have supported the finding that green tea can prevent and possibly even help treat some forms of cancer. The first interest in green tea's health benefits resulted from statistics showing that Asian cultures, where green tea is the most commonly consumed beverage, have the lowest incidences of cancer in the world.

Some studies have even shown that green tea compounds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, slowing the progress of the disease. It appears that tea may be most effective at preventing bladder, colon, re**al, esophageal, bladder, liver, lung, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Lowering Cholesterol - Tea has been shown to be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). It appears that tea's anti-oxidants work with HDL cholesterol to help transport bad cholesterol to the liver, where it can be passed from the body. Tea also appears to inhibit the formation of abnormal blood clots, which are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis -Tea's anti-oxidants may have the power to help prevent rheumatoid arthritis. In some studies, it has even been suggested that green tea may be able to ease symptoms of those already suffering with this disease.

Help Lose Weight - Tea's combination of catechins and caffeine appear to speed up the metabolism and may help with weight loss. In addition, it appears that using green tea as a diet supplement causes fewer instances of jitteriness and rapid heart rate than other diet supplements. It may also help regulate insulin in the body, which can be beneficial for diabetics. Many studies have shown that lifelong tea drinkers tend to weigh less and have less body fat than non tea drinkers.

Prevent Alzheimer's disease - Studies suggest that tea drinkers may also be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Though the subject requires far more research, it has also been suggested that green tea's potent anti-oxidants may even have the power to slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease in those already suffering.

Most people in the Western world still drink black tea over green tea. But, as you can see, there are many health reasons to make green tea a part of your regular diet. Green tea may be an important way to protect your health and prevent disease. And, it's delicious, too!

Jon Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company.

23/04/2017

Many people have asked, is green tea good for you? Well, the answer to this question is quite honestly yes. In fact, the health benefits of green tea are diversified, which is one reason why millions of people around the world everyday power up with green-tea consumption.

Let's begin to delve into the many health benefits of green tea so you can make an informed decision on whether or not green tea is good for you.

However, before we begin, we would like to express that many Naturopaths and other like minded experts do believe green tea harbors many health enhancing benefits. Now, with that being said, let's address your question of is green tea good for you?

First, the properties that have helped green tea's claim to fame are a group of compounds known as polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These polyphenols are potent antioxidants. In fact, researchers found EGCG to be 200 times more powerful than the well renowned antioxidant vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals.

Antioxidants are disease-fighting substances that mop up the continuous onslaught of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that damage cells as they travel through the body and are thought to be instrumental in causing cancer, aging, and many degenerative diseases, including atherosclerosis and heart disease if left unchecked.

In addition, green tea is an excellent immune system booster due to its powerful antioxidant strength and, as such, many health enthusiasts take green tea daily to promote general health a well-being.

If you're still asking yourself is green tea good for you, we have more health benefits of green tea as a possible cancer fighter. A number of animal studies have shown that green tea's polyphenols may offer great protection against various forms of cancers like pancreas, colon, stomach, lung, breast, and small intestine. However, what's more exciting, is that several population studies have also linked green-tea consumption with significantly lower rates of cancer.

Among the arsenal of possible health benefits of green tea, is that it may be a heart disease fighter. There are preliminary studies that suggest that green tea fights heart disease by keeping the arteries and cholesterol healthy. Population-based studies indicate that green tea's antioxidant properties may help prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which is the gradual buildup of plague (deposits made up of cholesterol, other fats, and calcium) that can clog the arteries. Eventually, diminished blood flow can "starve" the heart muscle and lead to angina (chest pain). A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.

If you suffer from high cholesterol and have been wandering is green tea good for you, research shows that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL ("good") cholesterol in both animals and people.

According to the well renowned tome, "The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies," written by Mark Stengler, N.D. who states:

"A study of 1,371 Japanese men showed that a high consumption of green tea (more than 10 cups daily) was associated with lower cholesterol levels. This quantity of green tea actually raised the level of HDL, which is "good cholesterol," while sharply lowering the concentration of lower LDL or "bad cholesterol." (page 247). Indeed, "down with the bad up with the good."

If you're still pondering the question is green tea good for you, we have possible teeth health benefits. Green tea contains the cavity fighter, fluoride, so if you're searching for ways to fight tooth decay, try sipping on a cup of green tea. Moreover, both animal and human studies have shown that green tea's polyphenols prevent the growth of bacteria that promotes plague and cavities.

Many people are interested in knowing is green tea good for you in regards to weight-loss. Swiss researchers have preliminary evidence that green tea accelerates the burning of fat calories in individuals who are overweight. However, green tea requires more well-designed and controlled clinical studies to validate its effectiveness and safety as a weight loss aid.

Green tea has also been used to promote digestive health and as part of a detoxification program.

Clearly, green tea's possible health benefits exuberates excellence.

Now that we have answered your question is green tea good for you, how much do you need to drink to reap the health benefits of green tea?

There has been conflicting information, including research as to how many cups one should drink daily to reap green tea's cancer prevention benefits. As such, recommendations by experts range from 3 to 4 cups to as much as 5 to 10 cups daily. On the other hand, studies showing tea's cancer preventive benefits, participants drank more than 5 cups a day and sometimes even more than 10 and, as such, it may be hard to achieve if you are sensitive to caffeine.

For those of you sensitive to caffeine, green tea is available in a decaffeinated tea form.

It's important to note that green tea extract supplements have far less caffeine than the tea -- and it is also available in a decaffeinated form, while preserving all of the health benefits of green tea.

For those of you who are not tea drinkers, or simply do not like the taste of green tea, you may want to consider taking supplements.

For detailed info on what to look for when buying green tea in a beverage or supplement form to ensure quality, please visit us on the web at our Is Green Tea Good For You page.

Cindy Amorin is the chief editor of Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre.com an information-rich site that discusses nutritional, dietary, and herbal supplements and their potential therapeutic value.

23/04/2017

Although it's been known in places like China and Japan for thousands of years, the green tea sensation is just now sweeping countries in North America and Europe. This tea is now well known and loved for its smooth flavor and incredible benefits. Green tea, in fact, is enjoyed with extra flavors, such as honey and lemon or citrus, as an iced tea drink and steeped and steamed like other forms of tea.

Despite its ever-growing popularity, some people do not fully understand the benefits of green tea or what really justifies all the buzz. The truth is green tea can deliver some serious health-related perks while also offering a light, refreshing flavor that many people have come to adore.

A closer look at green tea, how it's made and the benefits can help make it clear why this sensation is sweeping the world. No matter how it's consumed, green tea offers some perks that other beverages simply cannot compete with.

Where Does Green Tea Come From?

Green tea is grown mostly in Asian countries where a plant called Camellia sinensis is from. This particular plant is also used to make many of the black tea varieties that people have enjoyed for thousands of years. Although both teas get their start from the same basic plant, there are some major differences between the two in appearance, flavor and health benefits.

While flavor and appearances are what most people notice between green and black tea, the fundamental benefits of green tea versus black are also very much worth noting. The distinct differences between green and black tea arise from the processing that is involved in making each variety.

What Makes Green Tea Different From Black?

The processing involved in making black and green tea varieties varies rather greatly. The end result is two different kinds of tea from the exact same plant.

Green tea - When the intent is to make green tea from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, the leaves are picked and then steamed or heated almost immediately. These leaves are then dried for tea. Green tea tends to undergo much less processing than other forms of tea. In fact, green tea is considered one of the most pure forms of tea used for human consumption. As it is with many other foods, the lack of processing does make a difference in the nutrients and health benefits attached to the end product.

Black tea - The distinction between green and black tea comes in following the drying process. Unlike green tea leaves that are ready for consumption after drying, black teas also undergo a process known as oxidation. During this extended drying process, unfortunately, many of the nutrients and antioxidants are removed from the tea leaves. While some black teas do boast antioxidant properties, they are hard pressed to rival the benefits of green tea.

The Benefits Of Green Tea

Whether it comes from China, Japan or elsewhere, properly processed green tea can deliver a lot of health benefits. The antioxidants found in green tea are responsible most of the positive effects of this type of tea. Antioxidants are powerful agents that can rid the body of free radicals, which are molecules known to cause cancer and other health-related problems.

Scientific studies have shown the antioxidants in green tea can help prevent a host of conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more.

Green tea's EGCG antioxidant is also known to be highly effective in the same manner as vitamin C and vitamin E. It is known to help protect cells from serious damage caused by free radicals.

Other benefits of green tea backed up by medical studies include:

Blood sugar lowering - A recent study at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom found that green tea consumption can improve blood sugar readings. The study found that insulin sensitivity was raised by as much as 13% when green tea was consumed on a regular basis.

Fat processing - In the same study at the University of Birmingham, researchers found that fat oxidation rates increased by as much as 17% when green tea was included in diet.

Sources Of Green Tea

Thanks to its rising popularity, green tea is now available in many different forms. Some of the most commonly found on the market include:

Tea bags - Walk into any grocery chain in North America and green tea boxed and bag will be sitting on a shelf. This is one of the most popular ways to consume this type of tea and perhaps one of the easiest. Tea bags however usually contain lower quality tea and you sacrifice quality for convenience.

Iced tea - Ready made green tea drinks are also gaining in popularity. From diet concoctions to sugary confections that are a treat to consume, this type of tea is finding its way into bottled, ready to drink form, as well. Loose leaf tea is also used in the preparation of iced tea and the taste is considered the best by many tea drinkers.

Loose tea - For those who prefer brewing their tea straight from the leaves, this option is widely available. With the addition of yea infusers and tea sacs, loose leaf tea drinkers can enjoy convenience as well as the best tasting tea.

The world of green tea has long been known to the people of the orient. From China and Japan to groceries stores all over North America and beyond this type of tea is enjoying strong popularity at the moment.

23/04/2017

The label premium when referring to green tea is entirely subjective. Any company can slap the word "premium" on their own brand, but because there is no agreed upon meaning of this term, the label "premium" on its own is almost meaningless. In addition, because green tea is so diverse, even experts and tea enthusiasts who know how to locate and select high-quality tea do not agree about which teas deserve the title of the "best green tea". That said, there are still things that you can do as a shopper to inform your purchases, so that you locate premium-quality green for a fair price.

If you are reading this article, you are most likely looking for the best quality green tea, and would like to pay as reasonable a price for it as possible. You may be looking for a brand to serve or sell in your business, searching for a gift for a tea lover, or just looking to buy a tea to drink daily in your home, for taste or for health. Regardless of what you are looking for, this article will give you a few easy pointers that will help you to locate the best green teas.

Buy from brands and companies focusing on loose-leaf green tea:

Many people in America are only accustomed to drinking tea that is packaged in tea bags. Although there are a number of high-quality teas available in bagged form, the best teas tend to only be available in loose-leaf form. When you buy tea bags, you are paying for an industrial packaging process, including the energy, materials, and machinery used to package the tea. When you buy loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, you are paying primarily for the actual production process of the leaf, and thus, paying mainly for the quality of the leaf itself, and the flavor and aroma of the finished tea.

Any company that is serious about tea and legitimately deserves the "premium" label will offer, and probably focus on, loose-leaf tea. Many of the best companies from which to buy green tea will only sell loose-leaf.

Buy single-region, single-harvest teas of named varieties:

When tea is labelled only as "green tea", it is often a blend of teas from different regions, harvests, and of differing varieties. Each of these regions, harvests, and varieties produces unique flavors in the cup. Although tea blending can be a legitimate practice that can produce nuanced tea blends, unfortunately, the practice of blending is often used to create mass-produced blends using low-quality teas bought on the open market for as low a price as possible.

Buying green tea that is labelled as a specific named variety will often get you higher-quality tea, but this alone will not guarantee premium quality. Even specific types of green tea like dragon well, chun mee, bi luo chun, sencha, bancha, and gyokuro (to give a few examples) are sometimes blended, and these blends can sometimes include "fake" teas--batches produced with shortcut processing methods, or in regions different from the original variety.

The best teas will usually specify more information about the particular batch you are buying, such as a harvest date, a region of origin, or, when the tea is grown in one garden or estate, the name of that specific garden or estate. Tea companies that know green tea will also provide details about what makes their particular batch special, both in terms of its production, and its qualities of flavor and aroma. Companies selling a more generic product will usually rely instead on general or generic descriptions of the particular style of green being sold.

My personal favorite green tea brands:

Although each person has their own opinions, I have tried quite a lot of tea and have developed my own preferences of brands and companies to buy from. My favorite brands of green tea. Among the mainstream brands available in tea bags, I like Foojoy for Chinese teas (available in most Asian markets) and Yamamotoyama for Japanese ones. Upton Tea Imports remains a favorite, especially for Chinese teas, green or black, less so for Japanese. Life in Teacup, another one of my favorites is a tiny company that specializes in Chinese teas, and has a good selection of green and oolong teas. Lastly, I also like Rishi Tea, a leader in fair trade and organic teas, and Rishi has a good selection of green and other teas as well.

Inform yourself about green tea:

The best way to locate brands and companies of premium-quality green tea is for you yourself to know the basics of green. If you know about the major regions that produce green tea, and if you are familiar with the different varieties of both Chinese and Japanese green tea, where these varieties tend to be produced, what each variety tends to cost, and what characteristics of flavor and aroma each one has, you will be able to make more informed purchases. China and Japan are the two biggest countries, and each of these has a number of regions well-known for their green (and sometimes other) teas, but there are other notable regions as well. Some background reading can inform your purchases, but in the end, there is no substitute for actually sampling a number of teas from different companies.

Alex Zorach is the founder and editor-in-chief of RateTea, an interactive website where anyone can rate and review teas. RateTea has a database of teas classified by brand, style, and region, with a wealth of information about each variety and region. Browse listings of green teas from various brands on this site: read reviews and browse listings of different brands and styles, sample teas, and decide for yourself which are the premium brands.