In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsWhat Are the Benefits of Green Tea?The Bottom LineChoosing a Green TeaCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Reviews
What Are the Benefits of Green Tea?
The Bottom Line
Choosing a Green Tea
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:EatingWell / Alexander Huang
EatingWell / Alexander Huang
People have consumed green tea for thousands of years, often in the form of a beverage. Whether hot or iced, green tea is known for gentle flavors that range from earthy to sweet. It can also be used as an ingredient in everything from ice cream to cakes to smoothies.
Additionally, green tea is associated with multiple benefits and can help support your heart health, gut microbiome and brain, saysMaggie Moon, M.S., RD, brain health nutrition expert forMIND Diet Meals. “As a dietitian specializing in brain health, I’m a fan of green tea for its immediate focus-boosting benefits from caffeine and amino acid L-theanine, and because its polyphenols help pump the brakes on brain aging longer term,” Moon says.
We’ve rounded up our favorite green teas below and detailed what we like (and even dislike) about each one. Through extensive research, we chose our favorite teas in a range of categories, including organic, decaf, matcha and more, to ensure that all sorts of tea drinkers can find the right pick.
Green tea has been linked tovarious health benefits, including the following:
Our Top PicksBest Overall:The Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea at Amazon$13Jump to ReviewBest Organic:Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea at Amazon$10Jump to ReviewBest Sencha:Rishi Tea Sencha Tea at Amazon$10Jump to ReviewBest Decaf:Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea at Amazon$14Jump to ReviewBest Matcha:Encha Organic Matcha Green Tea at Amazon$35Jump to ReviewBest Loose-Leaf:Harney & Sons Jasmine Tea at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Travel:Pique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea at Amazon$21Jump to ReviewBest Bottled:Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea at Amazon$25Jump to Review
Best Overall:The Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea at Amazon$13Jump to ReviewBest Organic:Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea at Amazon$10Jump to ReviewBest Sencha:Rishi Tea Sencha Tea at Amazon$10Jump to ReviewBest Decaf:Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea at Amazon$14Jump to ReviewBest Matcha:Encha Organic Matcha Green Tea at Amazon$35Jump to ReviewBest Loose-Leaf:Harney & Sons Jasmine Tea at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Travel:Pique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea at Amazon$21Jump to ReviewBest Bottled:Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea at Amazon$25Jump to Review
Best Overall:The Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea at Amazon$13Jump to Review
Best Overall:The Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea at Amazon$13
Best Overall:
Best Organic:Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea at Amazon$10Jump to Review
Best Organic:Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea at Amazon$10
Best Organic:
Best Sencha:Rishi Tea Sencha Tea at Amazon$10Jump to Review
Best Sencha:Rishi Tea Sencha Tea at Amazon$10
Best Sencha:
Best Decaf:Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea at Amazon$14Jump to Review
Best Decaf:Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea at Amazon$14
Best Decaf:
Best Matcha:Encha Organic Matcha Green Tea at Amazon$35Jump to Review
Best Matcha:Encha Organic Matcha Green Tea at Amazon$35
Best Matcha:
Best Loose-Leaf:Harney & Sons Jasmine Tea at AmazonJump to Review
Best Loose-Leaf:Harney & Sons Jasmine Tea at Amazon
Best Loose-Leaf:
Best for Travel:Pique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea at Amazon$21Jump to Review
Best for Travel:Pique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea at Amazon$21
Best for Travel:
Best Bottled:Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea at Amazon$25Jump to Review
Best Bottled:Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea at Amazon$25
Best Bottled:
Best OverallThe Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$13 at Amazon$14 at WalmartView on Republicoftea.comWhat we like:It has a signature flavor that is well-balanced between sweet and nutty.What to know:It is only sold in bagged form.If you’re looking for a refreshing, delicate cup of tea that balances sweet and nutty notes, look no further than The Republic of Tea’s People’s Honey Ginseng Green Tea. The tea leaves are sourced from China, where green tea originated, and blended with a few tasty ingredients like Panax ginseng, linden flowers and honey for a signature flavor.While this tea is only sold in bagged form, the brand offers a very similar blend in loose-leaf form for those who prefer that style. The Honey Ginseng Green Tea is easy to find both in-store and online, typically in a 50-count tin that helps seal in freshness. Extra-thirsty tea lovers can purchase it in a 250-count bulk bag, which is also a more cost-effective option.Form:Tea bags |Caffeine:20 to 30 mg |Steep time:1 to 3 minutes |Ingredients:China green tea, linden flowers, pollen, eleuthero, Panax ginseng, honey flavorPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best OverallThe Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$13 at Amazon$14 at WalmartView on Republicoftea.com
Best OverallThe Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea
Best Overall
The Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng Green Tea
PHOTO: Amazon
$13 at Amazon$14 at WalmartView on Republicoftea.com
What we like:It has a signature flavor that is well-balanced between sweet and nutty.
What to know:It is only sold in bagged form.
If you’re looking for a refreshing, delicate cup of tea that balances sweet and nutty notes, look no further than The Republic of Tea’s People’s Honey Ginseng Green Tea. The tea leaves are sourced from China, where green tea originated, and blended with a few tasty ingredients like Panax ginseng, linden flowers and honey for a signature flavor.
While this tea is only sold in bagged form, the brand offers a very similar blend in loose-leaf form for those who prefer that style. The Honey Ginseng Green Tea is easy to find both in-store and online, typically in a 50-count tin that helps seal in freshness. Extra-thirsty tea lovers can purchase it in a 250-count bulk bag, which is also a more cost-effective option.
Form:Tea bags |Caffeine:20 to 30 mg |Steep time:1 to 3 minutes |Ingredients:China green tea, linden flowers, pollen, eleuthero, Panax ginseng, honey flavor
PHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best OrganicBuddha Teas Organic Sencha Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$10 at Amazon
Best OrganicBuddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea
Best Organic
Buddha Teas Organic Sencha Green Tea
$10 at Amazon
What we like:This all-natural tea has no additives or artificial colors, and it comes in bleach-free tea bags.
What to know:The tea bags can tear easily.
There are lots of organic teas out there, but the Buddha Tea Organic Sencha Green Tea earned the spot of our best organic green tea for multiple reasons. The delicate and fresh taste is one of the big ones, of course, but it’s also made without additives or artificial colors—a major plus, in our book. As a bonus, the brand’s boxes are made from recycled materials.
“These days, exposure to dioxins from bleached tea bags (or coffee filters, for that matter), is very low to nearly unmeasurable due to updated modern processes,” says Moon. “But for anyone who wants to really minimize their exposure, I recommend trying loose-leaf tea or looking for tea bags labeled ‘totally chlorine free’ (TCF) or ‘elemental chlorine free’ (ECF).”
Form:Tea bags, loose-leaf |Caffeine:30 mg |Steep time:3 to 5 minutes |Ingredients:Organic green tea
PHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best SenchaRishi Tea Sencha TeaPHOTO: Amazon$10 at AmazonView on Kroger.comView on Vitacost
Best SenchaRishi Tea Sencha Tea
Best Sencha
Rishi Tea Sencha Tea
$10 at AmazonView on Kroger.comView on Vitacost
What we like:This organic tea has a hearty yet light sweet taste.
What to know:There are only 15 tea bags per box, making it a bit more expensive than others.
The brand sells its sencha in boxes of 15 tea sachets. Rishi includes helpful steeping instructions on its packaging so you can get the most out of the tea. The sencha leaves are organic, non-GMO and sourced on the island of Kyushu in Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture, which boasts a warm and humid climate that allows the tea leaves to develop good flavor.
The price per tea bag is a little pricier than others on our list, but given its flavor and overall quality, we think this Rishi tea is worth the splurge.
Form:Tea bags, loose-leaf |Caffeine:Less than 20 mg |Steep time:2 minutes |Ingredients:Organic green tea
Best DecafCelestial Seasonings Decaf Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$14$12 at AmazonView on Celestialseasonings.comWhat we like:It has no caffeine, and it’s available in both tea bags and K-cups.What to know:Some might find the flavor to be too mellow.When it comes to caffeinated beverages, green tea is fairly low on the list. An 8-oz. cup contains on average 25 milligrams of caffeine.For comparison, the same size cup of coffee packs in 95 mg, while black tea hovers around 50 mg. But even though there’s not a lot of caffeine in green tea to start with, you may still be looking for a decaffeinated green tea. That’s where the Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea comes in.The brand combines green tea and white tea leaves for a smoother, mellower taste. The gentle flavor and lack of caffeine make it a great option right before bed. On the flip side, however, those who prefer a stronger tea may find the beverage to be a bit mild for their tastes.These tea bags are sold in 40-count boxes, and there’s also a K-Cup version available for those who prefer that brewing method.Form:Tea bags, K-Cups |Caffeine:0 mg |Steep time:2 minutes |Ingredients:Decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated white tea, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)PHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best DecafCelestial Seasonings Decaf Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$14$12 at AmazonView on Celestialseasonings.com
Best DecafCelestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea
Best Decaf
Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea
$14$12 at AmazonView on Celestialseasonings.com
What we like:It has no caffeine, and it’s available in both tea bags and K-cups.
What to know:Some might find the flavor to be too mellow.
When it comes to caffeinated beverages, green tea is fairly low on the list. An 8-oz. cup contains on average 25 milligrams of caffeine.For comparison, the same size cup of coffee packs in 95 mg, while black tea hovers around 50 mg. But even though there’s not a lot of caffeine in green tea to start with, you may still be looking for a decaffeinated green tea. That’s where the Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea comes in.
The brand combines green tea and white tea leaves for a smoother, mellower taste. The gentle flavor and lack of caffeine make it a great option right before bed. On the flip side, however, those who prefer a stronger tea may find the beverage to be a bit mild for their tastes.
These tea bags are sold in 40-count boxes, and there’s also a K-Cup version available for those who prefer that brewing method.
Form:Tea bags, K-Cups |Caffeine:0 mg |Steep time:2 minutes |Ingredients:Decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated white tea, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Best MatchaEncha Organic Matcha Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$35 at Amazon$33 at WalmartView on Encha.com
Best MatchaEncha Organic Matcha Green Tea
Best Matcha
Encha Organic Matcha Green Tea
$35 at Amazon$33 at WalmartView on Encha.com
What we like:This powdered tea has a mellow, sweet and lightly grassy flavor.
What to know:It’s the most expensive option on our list.
Encha’s Ceremonial Grade Organic Matcha Green Tea is mellow and subtly sweet, and it has the light, signature grassy flavor of matcha without being overpowering. It’s also organic and comes directly from Kyoto, Japan—matcha’s birthplace.
The price may make you raise an eyebrow, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way. You only need about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, so you’ll get 30 to 60 servings from one pouch.
Form:Matcha powder |Caffeine:60 mg |Steep time:N/A |Ingredients:Pure matcha green tea powder
The 7 Best Matcha Powders for the Perfect Pick-Me-Up
Best Loose-LeafHarney & Sons Jasmine TeaPHOTO: AmazonView on AmazonWhat we like:This whole leaf tea has a fragrant jasmine flavor.What to know:Steeping time is a little longer than other teas.There are a few reasons why loose-leaf tea usually offers more flavor than bagged tea. First off, loose-leaf tea is composed of fresh, large tea leaves that are typically of better quality than the leaves used in tea bags. Second, there’s more room for loose-leaf tea to unfurl and diffuse its flavors into a mug or teapot.Harney & Sons has a range of loose-leaf green teas, including this delightful jasmine variety. It’s quite fragrant, thanks in part to the jasmine flowers that are mixed in with the green tea leaves. Like most jasmine teas, the flavor is on the gentler side. Expect to taste a light bitterness and grassiness underneath the floral aroma.This tea is available in a 1-pound bag or 4-oz. tin; the brand also sells a sampler if you want to try a cup before committing to an entire package. Tea bags and tea sachets are available, too. Harney & Sons recommends steeping the tea for 5 minutes (which is a little longer than other teas on this list) at 212°F.Form:Loose-leaf, sachets |Caffeine:Not specified |Steep time:5 minutes |Ingredients:Green tea, jasmine flowersPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best Loose-LeafHarney & Sons Jasmine TeaPHOTO: AmazonView on Amazon
Best Loose-LeafHarney & Sons Jasmine Tea
Best Loose-Leaf
Harney & Sons Jasmine Tea
View on Amazon
What we like:This whole leaf tea has a fragrant jasmine flavor.
What to know:Steeping time is a little longer than other teas.
There are a few reasons why loose-leaf tea usually offers more flavor than bagged tea. First off, loose-leaf tea is composed of fresh, large tea leaves that are typically of better quality than the leaves used in tea bags. Second, there’s more room for loose-leaf tea to unfurl and diffuse its flavors into a mug or teapot.
Harney & Sons has a range of loose-leaf green teas, including this delightful jasmine variety. It’s quite fragrant, thanks in part to the jasmine flowers that are mixed in with the green tea leaves. Like most jasmine teas, the flavor is on the gentler side. Expect to taste a light bitterness and grassiness underneath the floral aroma.
This tea is available in a 1-pound bag or 4-oz. tin; the brand also sells a sampler if you want to try a cup before committing to an entire package. Tea bags and tea sachets are available, too. Harney & Sons recommends steeping the tea for 5 minutes (which is a little longer than other teas on this list) at 212°F.
Form:Loose-leaf, sachets |Caffeine:Not specified |Steep time:5 minutes |Ingredients:Green tea, jasmine flowers
Best for TravelPique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea$21 at AmazonWhat we like:These tea crystals come in packets, which are convenient for anyone on the go.What to know:Some may find it to have a bitter taste.Pique is an innovator in the tea world, creating travel-friendly tea crystals that are soluble in water. Each box of Organic Jasmine Green Tea contains 14 individual packets that you can mix with either hot or cold water. Stir the crystals into hot water for a cozy cup, or pour them right into bottled water and shake for iced tea.So, what exactly are tea crystals? Pique’s unique innovation takes loose-leaf tea and brews it in low-temperature water for 8 hours until it becomes a fast-dissolving powder. The brand says its gentle extraction process creates a sort of tea concentrate that preserves up to 12 times more antioxidants than comparable tea brands. The Organic Jasmine Green Tea is not only convenient, but it also has a fresh flavor that makes each sip smooth and enjoyable.Form:Tea crystals |Caffeine:22 to 33 mg |Steep time:N/A |Ingredients:Organic green tea, spearmintPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best for TravelPique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea$21 at Amazon
Best for TravelPique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea
Best for Travel
Pique Tea Organic Jasmine Green Tea
$21 at Amazon
What we like:These tea crystals come in packets, which are convenient for anyone on the go.
What to know:Some may find it to have a bitter taste.
Pique is an innovator in the tea world, creating travel-friendly tea crystals that are soluble in water. Each box of Organic Jasmine Green Tea contains 14 individual packets that you can mix with either hot or cold water. Stir the crystals into hot water for a cozy cup, or pour them right into bottled water and shake for iced tea.
So, what exactly are tea crystals? Pique’s unique innovation takes loose-leaf tea and brews it in low-temperature water for 8 hours until it becomes a fast-dissolving powder. The brand says its gentle extraction process creates a sort of tea concentrate that preserves up to 12 times more antioxidants than comparable tea brands. The Organic Jasmine Green Tea is not only convenient, but it also has a fresh flavor that makes each sip smooth and enjoyable.
Form:Tea crystals |Caffeine:22 to 33 mg |Steep time:N/A |Ingredients:Organic green tea, spearmint
Best BottledPure Leaf Unsweetened Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$25 at AmazonView on Albertsons.comWhat we like:This premade tea is cool, refreshing and made with only three ingredients.What to know:Some find the taste changes with different batches.Many pre-bottled iced teas can be full of sugar or artificial sweeteners, but the Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea isn’t like most. Not only is it completely free of sugar, but it’s made with only three ingredients: Brewed green tea, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and natural flavor.This tea is brewed from fresh tea leaves that are picked at their prime. Since there are no powders or concentrates used here, the simplicity gives it a crisp, clean flavor that tastes just like freshly brewed tea that you’d make at home.The bottles come in three sizes—18.5-oz., 59-oz. and 64-oz.—so you can take this tea with you on the go or keep it stocked in your refrigerator.Form:Bottled iced tea |Caffeine:44 mg |Steep time:N/A |Ingredients:Brewed tea, ascorbic acid, natural flavorPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
Best BottledPure Leaf Unsweetened Green TeaPHOTO: Amazon$25 at AmazonView on Albertsons.com
Best BottledPure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea
Best Bottled
Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea
$25 at AmazonView on Albertsons.com
What we like:This premade tea is cool, refreshing and made with only three ingredients.
What to know:Some find the taste changes with different batches.
Many pre-bottled iced teas can be full of sugar or artificial sweeteners, but the Pure Leaf Unsweetened Green Tea isn’t like most. Not only is it completely free of sugar, but it’s made with only three ingredients: Brewed green tea, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and natural flavor.
This tea is brewed from fresh tea leaves that are picked at their prime. Since there are no powders or concentrates used here, the simplicity gives it a crisp, clean flavor that tastes just like freshly brewed tea that you’d make at home.
The bottles come in three sizes—18.5-oz., 59-oz. and 64-oz.—so you can take this tea with you on the go or keep it stocked in your refrigerator.
Form:Bottled iced tea |Caffeine:44 mg |Steep time:N/A |Ingredients:Brewed tea, ascorbic acid, natural flavor
PHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander HuangPHOTO: EatingWell / Alexander Huang
The Bottom Line: The Best Green Teas
The Republic of Tea’s People’s Honey Ginseng Green Tea(view at Amazon) has everything you could want: It’s affordable, easy to find in stores and online and offers a balance of sweet and earthy flavors. Additionally, you can enjoy it either hot or iced. If you’re interested in a loose-leaf option, we love the fragrantHarney & Sons Jasmine Tea(view at Amazon).
Consider the Variety
Whether you’re new to green tea or a seasoned sipper, knowing a bit about the different varieties will make it easier to choose the right option:
Pick the Right Blend
Any green tea that’s paired with additional ingredients is considered a blend. Many fruits, flowers and herbs mix well with green tea, and you’ll often find these items incorporated into green tea blends. Green tea is usually gentle enough that it takes on a lot of the added flavors—mint is one of the most common examples—so check to see if you like the other ingredients in a green tea blend before buying.
If you don’t love the taste of green tea, or if you’re new to it, try starting with a blend that contains another type of tea. Many green tea blends include herbal teas that have a milder flavor and, sometimes, less caffeine.
Look At the Packaging
It may seem minor, but the way your tea is packaged affects how it’s brewed and, subsequently, how it tastes. You’ll likely see tea packaged in one of three ways: tea bags, sachets or loose-leaf. If you prefer quickness and convenience, tea bags are the way to go. If you want to adjust tea strength to your specific taste, try loose-leaf. Sachets strike the middle ground, storing loose tea in large, usually pyramid-shaped bags.
Factor In the Price
Like all kinds of tea, green tea comes in a wide variety of prices. In our list alone, prices range from under $5 to upwards of $30 per package. You can pick up affordable bagged options in your local grocery store or find pricey loose-leaf varieties online or at specialty tea shops. Generally, you get what you pay for as far as quality—but luckily, there are good options in practically every price range.
Drinking 5 Cups of Green Tea per Day May Help Reduce Blood Sugar and Gut Inflammation, New Study Suggests
How much caffeine is in green tea?
Theamount of caffeine in green teavaries widely, just like it does with all types of tea. Everything from where the tea is harvested to the way it’s prepared affects the caffeine content. On average, an 8-oz. cup of green tea contains roughly 25 mg of caffeine, but it can range anywhere from 12 to 75 mg. This is a relatively low amount, less than that of black and oolong tea. One quick way to gauge the amount of caffeine in a cup of tea is to focus on its bitterness. “Caffeine is bitter, so you can assume that the more bitter the tea, the more caffeine you’re taking out of the leaves,” saysShunan Teng, founder and CEO of Tea Drunk.
Will drinking green tea help me lose weight?
Does green tea help with bloating?
Green tea’s antioxidants can help calm inflammation that can lead to bloating, Moon says. But on a more basic level, green tea is a vehicle for hydration, which can help relieve constipation-related bloating. “Staying hydrated helps soften stool so it passes easily; otherwise, the body will steal water from food in the gut as it goes through, making hard stool linger and ferment longer, producing gas and bloating,” Moon says.
Does green tea cause kidney stones?
Some people who worry about kidney stones may try to avoid green tea because it contains oxalate, which binds with calcium to form kidney stones, Moon says. However, a study of more than 2,600 adults with a history of kidney stones suggests drinking green tea won’t increase the risk of kidney stones—in fact, it may even helpreducethe risk of stone formation.Previous research suggests green tea may also reduce the risk for people without a history of kidney stones.
“People who want to enjoy green tea with fewer oxalates can add milk, though this also lowers its antioxidants,” Moon says. “Steeping for no more than five minutes, which is the recommended time, will also reduce the amount of oxalates in the cup.”
How do you make green tea?
Green tea is one of the gentlest tea varieties, so it’s best to use cooler water and steep for a shorter amount of time than you would with other teas. Teng recommends starting with water that’s around 176°F to 194°F and steeping for about two minutes, then adjusting time and temperature based on your preferences. The recommended ratio, called the “golden ratio,” is 2 g of tea for every 8 oz. of water. “This is a good starting point,” Teng says, “and you can make adjustments from there.”
One key brewing tip she gives is to steep your tea in an open vessel. If you’re using a teapot, for instance, leave the lid off while the tea steeps. “When you cover tea, you can overcook it and damage the flavor,” says Teng.
How do you make iced green tea?
There are two ways to make iced tea. The first is to steep tea leaves or tea bags in hot water and add ice afterward. This takes about 10 to 20 minutes. The second method is “cold brewing,” where you steep tea in cold water for a longer period of time, usually overnight.
For cold-brewed iced tea, Teng recommends a ratio of 6 g of loose-leaf tea for every 25 oz. of water, or roughly 15 g of tea for an 8-cup pitcher. After adding the tea to the water, you’ll simply leave the mixture in the fridge for 36 to 48 hours. “Cold brew is super simple,” Teng says. “It’s a foolproof and very forgiving method.” Since it’s unpasteurized, though, it’s best to drink cold-brewed iced tea very soon after the 48-hour brewing window has elapsed. If you leave it any longer than three days, the microorganisms in the tea may pose a health risk.
Is matcha a type of green tea?
Yes, matcha is a type of green tea. There are a couple of ways in which it’s different from other green teas, though. First, matcha comes in powder form because it’s made of ground-up tea leaves; other green teas usually have larger, fuller leaves. Second, matcha is meant to be mixed with hot water so that you actually ingest the leaves when you drink it. This differs from the majority of other teas, where the leaves are strained out of the water and not ingested.
Lindsay Boyersis a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive food and drink testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the best options across all food and beverage categories. For this piece, she consulted withShunan Teng, the founder and CEO ofTea Drunkand an avid tea educator. Tea Drunk was founded in 2013 and has a brick-and-mortar tea house in New York City. Its teaware and Chinese teas can be purchased online.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Gianfredi V, Dinu M, Nucci D, Eussen SJPM, Amerio A, Schram MT, Schaper N, Odone A.Association between dietary patterns and depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and intervention trials.Nutr Rev. 2023;81(3):346-359. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac058Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI.International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4Mancini E, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Zanchi D, Lang UE, Borgwardt S.Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review.Phytomedicine. 2017;34:26-37. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.008Neshatdoust S, Saunders C, Castle SM, Vauzour D, Williams C, Butler L, Lovegrove JA, Spencer JP.High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials.Nutr Healthy Aging. 2016;4(1):81-93. doi: 10.3233/NHA-1615Zamani M, Kelishadi MR, Ashtary-Larky D, Amirani N, Goudarzi K, Torki IA, Bagheri R, Ghanavati M, Asbaghi O.The effects of green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2023;9:1084455. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1084455Pérez-Burillo S, Navajas-Porras B, López-Maldonado A, Hinojosa-Nogueira D, Pastoriza S, Rufián-Henares JÁ.Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome.Molecules. 2021;26(13):3907. doi: 10.3390/molecules26133907Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?Food and Drug Administration.Braschi A, Lo Presti R, Abrignani MG, Abrignani V, Traina M.Effects of green tea catechins and exercise training on body composition parameters.Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2023;74(1):3-21. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2150152Shu X, Cai H, Xiang YB, Li H, Lipworth L, Miller NL, Zheng W, Shu XO, Hsi RS.Green tea intake and risk of incident kidney stones: Prospective cohort studies in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals.Int J Urol. 2019;26(2):241-246. doi: 10.1111/iju.13849
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EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Gianfredi V, Dinu M, Nucci D, Eussen SJPM, Amerio A, Schram MT, Schaper N, Odone A.Association between dietary patterns and depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and intervention trials.Nutr Rev. 2023;81(3):346-359. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac058Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI.International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4Mancini E, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Zanchi D, Lang UE, Borgwardt S.Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review.Phytomedicine. 2017;34:26-37. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.008Neshatdoust S, Saunders C, Castle SM, Vauzour D, Williams C, Butler L, Lovegrove JA, Spencer JP.High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials.Nutr Healthy Aging. 2016;4(1):81-93. doi: 10.3233/NHA-1615Zamani M, Kelishadi MR, Ashtary-Larky D, Amirani N, Goudarzi K, Torki IA, Bagheri R, Ghanavati M, Asbaghi O.The effects of green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2023;9:1084455. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1084455Pérez-Burillo S, Navajas-Porras B, López-Maldonado A, Hinojosa-Nogueira D, Pastoriza S, Rufián-Henares JÁ.Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome.Molecules. 2021;26(13):3907. doi: 10.3390/molecules26133907Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?Food and Drug Administration.Braschi A, Lo Presti R, Abrignani MG, Abrignani V, Traina M.Effects of green tea catechins and exercise training on body composition parameters.Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2023;74(1):3-21. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2150152Shu X, Cai H, Xiang YB, Li H, Lipworth L, Miller NL, Zheng W, Shu XO, Hsi RS.Green tea intake and risk of incident kidney stones: Prospective cohort studies in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals.Int J Urol. 2019;26(2):241-246. doi: 10.1111/iju.13849
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Gianfredi V, Dinu M, Nucci D, Eussen SJPM, Amerio A, Schram MT, Schaper N, Odone A.Association between dietary patterns and depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and intervention trials.Nutr Rev. 2023;81(3):346-359. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac058Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI.International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4Mancini E, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Zanchi D, Lang UE, Borgwardt S.Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review.Phytomedicine. 2017;34:26-37. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.008Neshatdoust S, Saunders C, Castle SM, Vauzour D, Williams C, Butler L, Lovegrove JA, Spencer JP.High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials.Nutr Healthy Aging. 2016;4(1):81-93. doi: 10.3233/NHA-1615Zamani M, Kelishadi MR, Ashtary-Larky D, Amirani N, Goudarzi K, Torki IA, Bagheri R, Ghanavati M, Asbaghi O.The effects of green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2023;9:1084455. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1084455Pérez-Burillo S, Navajas-Porras B, López-Maldonado A, Hinojosa-Nogueira D, Pastoriza S, Rufián-Henares JÁ.Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome.Molecules. 2021;26(13):3907. doi: 10.3390/molecules26133907Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?Food and Drug Administration.Braschi A, Lo Presti R, Abrignani MG, Abrignani V, Traina M.Effects of green tea catechins and exercise training on body composition parameters.Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2023;74(1):3-21. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2150152Shu X, Cai H, Xiang YB, Li H, Lipworth L, Miller NL, Zheng W, Shu XO, Hsi RS.Green tea intake and risk of incident kidney stones: Prospective cohort studies in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals.Int J Urol. 2019;26(2):241-246. doi: 10.1111/iju.13849
Gianfredi V, Dinu M, Nucci D, Eussen SJPM, Amerio A, Schram MT, Schaper N, Odone A.Association between dietary patterns and depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and intervention trials.Nutr Rev. 2023;81(3):346-359. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac058
Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI.International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance.J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4
Mancini E, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Zanchi D, Lang UE, Borgwardt S.Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review.Phytomedicine. 2017;34:26-37. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.008
Neshatdoust S, Saunders C, Castle SM, Vauzour D, Williams C, Butler L, Lovegrove JA, Spencer JP.High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials.Nutr Healthy Aging. 2016;4(1):81-93. doi: 10.3233/NHA-1615
Zamani M, Kelishadi MR, Ashtary-Larky D, Amirani N, Goudarzi K, Torki IA, Bagheri R, Ghanavati M, Asbaghi O.The effects of green tea supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2023;9:1084455. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1084455
Pérez-Burillo S, Navajas-Porras B, López-Maldonado A, Hinojosa-Nogueira D, Pastoriza S, Rufián-Henares JÁ.Green Tea and Its Relation to Human Gut Microbiome.Molecules. 2021;26(13):3907. doi: 10.3390/molecules26133907
Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?Food and Drug Administration.
Braschi A, Lo Presti R, Abrignani MG, Abrignani V, Traina M.Effects of green tea catechins and exercise training on body composition parameters.Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2023;74(1):3-21. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2150152
Shu X, Cai H, Xiang YB, Li H, Lipworth L, Miller NL, Zheng W, Shu XO, Hsi RS.Green tea intake and risk of incident kidney stones: Prospective cohort studies in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals.Int J Urol. 2019;26(2):241-246. doi: 10.1111/iju.13849
