10 Best Green Teas UK | Mighty Matcha The Tea Makers of London and More
With dozens of brands all purporting their green tea as the best and the healthiest, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right one? Should you go organic, loose leaf, or bag, and what’s the difference between jasmine and matcha? We’ll go over everything you need to know in our buying guide and follow it up with our countdown of the top 10 green teas on the market from Amazon and Tesco in case you need a bit more brew-spiration.
Quick List - Top Green Teas
Mighty Matcha
Handpicked, Ceremonial-Grade Matcha With a Rich and Creamy Flavour
The Tea Makers of London
Nutrient-Rich Sencha With a Grassy Taste, Perfect for Everyday Use
Vahdam Teas
Sweet Vanilla-Flavoured Matcha Powder Ideal for Latte Lovers
Valley of Tea
Addictively Toasty and Soothing Hojicha Tea With Low a Caffeine Content
Rachael has been a writer, editor and marketing communications specialist for some 18 years, writing about all things tea and lifestyle for her blog "Tea with Rachael" for over a decade. She loves tea and enjoys trying different types of tea, as well as pairing teas with food and fun things to see and do.
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With Specialist Advice From Tea and Lifestyle Blogger Rachael Kinsella
Rachael has been a writer, editor and marketing communications specialist for some 18 years, writing about all things tea and lifestyle for her blog "Tea with Rachael" for over a decade. She loves tea and enjoys trying different types of tea, as well as pairing teas with food and fun things to see and do.
Keep up-to-date with all things tea and lifestyle-related on Rachael's blog, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and discover some new tea blends that might just become your new favourite!
How to Choose Green Tea in the UK
- Choose Teabags for Convenience or Loose Leaf for Antioxidants and Flavour
- Consider Qualities Such as Flavour Notes, Antioxidants and Caffeine Content
- Get More Antioxidants and Refined Flavour With Organic Green Teas
- For Milder Tase and Lower Caffeine Content, Try Flavoured Green Teas
Teabags Are Cheap and Convenient for Those Short on Time, but Opt for Loose Leaf Tea if You’re Looking for an Antioxidant and Flavour Hit
Loose Green Tea Retains the Most Antioxidants and Flavour
Greater quantities of essential oils will also be kept intact with loose green tea, which maximises the flavour, for a full-bodied infusion that tastes fresher. Simply add a pinch of green tea leaves to a mug of hot water, or use a pot, tea ball or strainer. Matcha tea is also classed as loose tea, where the leaves are ground into a powder. There is some effort required when using tea leaves, so this might be a factor worth noting.
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Green tea is full of antioxidants and plant compounds to support health and wellbeing. Loose-leaf green teas provide the premium green tea experience, with richness and lasting flavour. To get the full benefits of all the goodness in green tea, loose leaves are absolutely the way to go!
Bagged Green Tea Is Cheap and Convenient, But Much Less Potent
That being said, if you are only really drinking green tea for the taste, you may find bags perfectly sufficient. Or perhaps you do want the convenience of a bag but aren’t feeling tempted by a dusty brew, in which case we’d recommend looking for packets that explicitly state that they contain whole leaf green tea, but bear in mind they will cost more.
I find some flavoured green tea bags pleasant and convenient, such as jasmine flavoured green tea, or green tea blended with mint. If you want to enjoy the full ritual of a great green tea, however, preparing properly with loose leaves is a big part of that. There's a sense of calm and mindfulness to be found by preparing loose leaf tea properly in a pot and pouring a cup for you and your guests.
Consider the Specialities of Each Variety of Tea from Their Fragrant and Earthy Notes, to Antioxidant Rich and Lower Caffeine Content
With a Balance of Bitter and Sweet Flavours, Sencha Is a Popular Japanese Tea Great for Daily Consumption
Sencha is a light, refreshing green tea, and probably one of the better-known green teas. It's a good choice if you want an everyday green tea.
For Those Looking for an Antioxidant Boost to Their Diet or to Add New Flavours to Their Baking, Matcha Is Ideal
Matcha has become very popular in recent years as an alternative to coffee for a caffeine and energy boost, as well as an ingredient in recipes, such as cakes, biscuits, smoothies and shakes.
It's not to everyone's taste, but prepared properly and even combined with other ingredients, it packs a punch for flavour and a buzz to boost your energy levels. It also has many health benefits found in pure green tea.
If You Prefer Something Light Yet Still Bursting With Flavour, Jasmines Fragrant, Floral and Slightly Sweet Notes Will Suit You
I'm a big fan of Jasmine green tea and have been for years. I find it calming and relaxing and a refreshing change from other teas, including black teas, herbal blends and other flavoured teas.
Longjing or Dragon Well Tea Is Great for Those Who Enjoy a More Nutty Aroma, While Still Remaining Light on the Palate
This is a favourite with a number of my friends and is widely regarded as top quality green tea. So if you're looking for a green tea for special occasions, this would be a fantastic option.
If Caffeine Content Is a Concern, Hojicha Has Lower Levels and Comes With a Warming Earthy Note
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I've never tried this particular green tea but it sounds delicious!
According to the mybest staff, Hojicha is a fantastic green tea option for fans of coffee or black tea with its roasted, nutty flavour. It's great for drinking in the afternoons when you want just a small caffeine boost.
Opt for Organic Green Teas Rich in Antioxidants For a More Complex Yet Refined Flavour Experience
It is also said that organic green tea is purer, with a more complex and palatable taste. If you're health-conscious or you're specifically shopping for green tea for its various health benefits, you'll get the best experience if you opt for an organic product.
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Organic is always my preferred choice, if possible, as it's better for your health and the environment. The less processed and fewer pesticides used, the better for the planet and the better it tastes!
Flavoured Green Teas Are Great for Beginners as They Can Weaken the Astringant Taste and Have Lower Levels of Caffeine
Matcha drinkers who take their tea with steamed milk as a matcha latte could opt for flavoured powders such as those with vanilla, but we’d recommend looking for natural additives that won’t turn your healthy habit into a sugar-laden one.
Flavoured green teas are a refreshing way to try green tea and a great introduction to green teas if you're not used to them or have never tried them before. That way, you can enjoy other herbal, fruit or floral flavours as well as the health benefits of the green tea all in one cup.
Top 10 Best Green Teas in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mighty Matcha Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder | | Handpicked, Ceremonial-Grade Matcha With a Rich and Creamy Flavour | |
2 | The Tea Makers of London Japanese Sencha Loose Leaf Tea | | Nutrient-Rich Sencha With a Grassy Taste, Perfect for Everyday Use | |
3 | Vahdam Teas Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder | | Sweet Vanilla-Flavoured Matcha Powder Ideal for Latte Lovers | |
4 | Valley of Tea Bancha Hojicha Green Tea | | Addictively Toasty and Soothing Hojicha Tea With Low a Caffeine Content | |
5 | Annvchi Jasmine Green Loose Tea Pearls | | Opulent Loose Leaf Jasmine Dragon Pearls | |
6 | Valley of Tea Dragon Well Longjing Loose Green Tea | | Freshly Picked, Longjing Tea With a Buttery Sweet Taste | |
7 | Teapigs Jasmine Pearls Green Tea | | Whole Jasmine Leaves Encased in Biodegradable Tea Temples | |
8 | Clearspring Organic Loose Green Sencha Tea | | A High-Quality, Organic Sencha With a Light and Refreshing Taste | |
9 | Simpli-Special Lemon Ginger Sencha Green Tea | | Enjoy the Fresh Flavours of Ginger, Lemon Peel, and Lemongrass | |
10 | Pukka Teas Green Collection | | Reasonably Priced Multipack of Organic Flavoured Teas |
Handpicked, Ceremonial-Grade Matcha With a Rich and Creamy Flavour
With a rich, creamy, earthy flavour profile that’s won awards, this marvellous metabolism-boosting, nutritious and delicious tea ticks all our boxes. If you're looking for the best of the best, we're quite certain this is it!
The Tea Makers of London Japanese Sencha Loose Leaf Tea
Nutrient-Rich Sencha With a Grassy Taste, Perfect for Everyday Use
We also like that it comes in a foil packed tea caddy, so even if you aren’t a daily drinker it will remain fresh, or you could present it as a gift. It’s also a fantastic price considering you will get 60 or so cups out of it.
Sweet Vanilla-Flavoured Matcha Powder Ideal for Latte Lovers
It’s grown and ground in Japan so it’s the real deal, from a prefecture known for producing the finest matcha out there. The company also give a percentage of their profits towards the education of their tea workers’ children, so you know you are buying ethically, and it’s non-GMO, too.
Addictively Toasty and Soothing Hojicha Tea With Low a Caffeine Content
Nutty with a pleasant toasty aftertaste, it was picked on a family farm within the last few months so you know you are getting the freshest brew possible. Definitely one for the health and wellness fans, hojicha better fights free radicals and has more fibre than any other variety of green tea.
Opulent Loose Leaf Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Hand-rolled into traditional pearls, it takes its delicate yet creamy jasmine aroma from multiple infusions with fresh flowers. Only a little is needed for a full-flavoured infusion so the bag will last you a good while, too.
Valley of Tea Dragon Well Longjing Loose Green Tea
Freshly Picked, Longjing Tea With a Buttery Sweet Taste
It's a shame it's one of the most expensive options on our list, but the flavour more than makes up for the price tag. Buttery sweet with no bitterness and a nutty aroma, it’s one for a special occasion, or every day if you can afford it!
Whole Jasmine Leaves Encased in Biodegradable Tea Temples
Again, it's a relatively expensive option compared to some of the others on the market, which is why it hasn't made it further up the list, but for a bagged tea, you won’t get much better than this.
A High-Quality, Organic Sencha With a Light and Refreshing Taste
Using young leaves harvested in Kyoto at their most desirable time in late spring, the flavour is light, mild and refreshing, making it a lovely everyday green tea. If you prefer a stronger flavour, though, another option may be better.
Enjoy the Fresh Flavours of Ginger, Lemon Peel, and Lemongrass
It’s reasonably priced considering the large size, but it would suit a family or frequent green tea drinker best otherwise a lot of the freshness and aroma will fade. If you're catering to a large household, though, you're sure to race through the pack.
Reasonably Priced Multipack of Organic Flavoured Teas
You may not be ingesting as many antioxidants as with green tea in its whole or loose forms, but these bags are certified organic, ethically sourced and recyclable, and are a nice low caffeine option with a twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Green Tea?
Green tea comes with a plethora of supposed health benefits from aiding in weight loss to boosting the immune system to fight against infections. It also has active ingredients which have been said to boost brain function as well as claims that green tea could even reduce your risk of cancer.
How Much Green Tea Should You Drink a Day?
Green tea is generally well tolerated by most people and consuming several cups in a day should pose no risk to the individual. However, while the benefits vastly outweigh the risks, it still contains caffeine, which consumed in large quantities, say more than 5 cups a day, may affect those who are sensitive to it.
Is Green Tea Good For Weight Loss?
Green tea has been proven time over time that it is a fantastic drink for weight loss. The antioxidant that it contains called catechin - a form of flavonoid - aids in improving the efficiency of the metabolic system to help speed things along. This should, however, also go alongside a healthy diet.
Top 5 Green Teas
No. 1: Mighty Matcha ｜Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder
No. 2: The Tea Makers of London ｜Japanese Sencha Loose Leaf Tea
No. 3: Vahdam Teas｜Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder
No. 4: Valley of Tea ｜Bancha Hojicha Green Tea
No. 5: Annvchi ｜Jasmine Green Loose Tea Pearls
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