- The most prestigious green teas come from China and Japan.
- Matcha contains up to 137 times more antioxidants because the leaf is ground and ingested entirely.
- Its umami — the fifth taste — gives it a deep, unique flavor.
- Its powder form makes it ideal for creative use in cooking and baking.
- For health and aromatic richness, matcha stands out as an exceptional green tea.
The second most produced type of tea in the world, green tea is renowned for its numerous health benefits and its rich palette of flavors.
Yet choosing your go-to tea from such a wide variety of green teas can prove complicated.
Don't panic: with this article, we invite you to discover the best green teas, and why we believe matcha could be the best of them all.
What are the main varieties of green tea?
There are a great many varieties of green tea across the world. The most prestigious green teas come mostly from China and Japan, and reflect the expertise built up over several centuries of production.
Let's review together the best-known varieties of green tea and their origins:
The main Chinese green teas
- Gunpowder: One of the oldest teas in the world. This rolled-leaf green tea, with smoky notes and a slightly bitter taste, is the base for Moroccan mint tea.
- Jasmine tea: Highly prized in China, this tea is blended with jasmine flowers to deliver a sweet taste and delicious notes of fresh flowers.
- Biluochun: Meaning "jade snail of spring" in reference to the shape of its leaves, this tea is among the 10 most famous Chinese teas. Soft, fruity, floral and nutty, it is a tea of remarkable finesse, ranking it among the very best Chinese green teas.
- Long Jing: Also called "Dragon Well", it is probably one of the most sought-after Chinese teas. With flat leaves and vegetal, roasted and nutty notes, it is a delicious, easy-to-drink tea with a lovely finish and a very harmonious character.
The main Japanese green teas
- Sencha: The most popular tea in Japan, it accounts for more than 70% of the country's production. Easily recognizable by its fine green needles, sencha is slightly bitter and offers vegetal and marine notes that are relaxing and comforting.
- Genmaicha: A must among Japanese teas, this tea is blended with roasted or puffed rice. Delicious and low in caffeine, it is suitable for drinking at any time of day and for all ages.
- Houjicha: With a lovely brown color, this tea is roasted, which gives it a mild flavor, roasted and woody aromas with hazelnut notes, and a taste somewhat close to coffee.
- Gyokuro: The most prestigious tea in Japan. The "jade dew pearl" is a shaded tea, meaning it is protected from the sun for about 3 weeks before harvest. Complex, with an umami taste and powerful vegetal and marine notes, Gyokuro is a precious tea, prized by green tea lovers.
- Matcha: The famous Japanese powdered green tea. It is obtained from tencha leaves, which come from the Camellia sinensis tea plant, the matcha plant. It is a shaded, de-veined tea, then ground into a fine powder of brilliant green. Traditionally served during the Japanese tea ceremony, it is now prepared in several forms and is even used in cosmetics or cooking.
To explore these green teas in more detail, I invite you to check out our article dedicated to the different Japanese green teas .
The benefits of matcha green tea
So why could matcha be the best green tea in our opinion?
First of all, although green tea is rich in antioxidants compared to black tea, matcha contains far more of them than any other. Since the leaf is ground and ingested entirely, it contains up to 137 times more antioxidants than an infused green tea, whether in bags or loose-leaf!
Moreover, the benefits of matcha green tea are numerous, including:
- support for improved concentration and mood;
- support for reduced mental fatigue and increased alertness;
- support for weight loss as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Find right here a complete article detailing all the benefits of matcha, or discover right away our best-seller, the flagship product from Kumiko Matcha.
147 personnes bought a Kumiko Matcha this month after reading this article.
Matcha and umami, a unique taste
Have you heard of umami?
Discovered by Professor Kikunae Ikeda, it is the fifth taste, in addition to salty, sweet, sour and bitter. It is a balanced taste that coats the whole mouth and triggers salivation. Umami brings gustatory depth, which makes a dish or food delicious!
A taste found particularly in matcha! Indeed, a quality matcha should not taste bitter, but deliciously umami. Matcha tea delivers beautiful vegetal notes, a creamy texture and a lovely sensation of freshness.
Much like wine, every matcha tasting offers a unique taste experience!
Pure Saemidori cultivar — the excellence of Japanese ceremonial grade
Perfect balance of flavors — powerful umami, floral sweetness, zero bitterness
Concentrated benefits — L-theanine (focus & serenity) + natural antioxidants
Certified organic JP-organic-005
Suitable for all your rituals — from traditional ceremony to modern latte
30-Day Quality Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love Matcha KUMIKO that we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Simply return your unopened box within 30 days for a full refund.
Matcha, the ideal ingredient for creative use
One last significant advantage: matcha's powder form means it can be used creatively, whether in cooking, baking, or even cosmetics, to make the most of all its benefits!
Cakes, matcha latte tarts, dalgona, milkshakes, cocktails... the possibilities are endless!
>>> Click here to browse all our matcha recipes
Find your ideal matcha 🍵
Browse our selection and find exactly what you need.
Conclusion: what is the best green tea?
In short, there is a very wide variety of green teas, each with its own unique aromatic profile and character. In terms of taste, the best green tea is the one whose flavor delights you the most!
If we consider the health aspects, then matcha, with its high concentration of antioxidants, is an excellent tea, if not the best. Come and read consumer reviews of premium matcha tea directly.
Its powder format is also the most practical way to enjoy the benefits of green tea, by incorporating it into your recipes and cosmetics.
>>> Discover our full range of organic matcha to buy and enjoy
