What Does Green Tea Taste Like? | Flavour Explained

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What Does Green Tea Taste Like? UK Guide

Green tea has a light, fresh, and slightly grassy taste. It’s often described as earthy, vegetal, mildly bitter, and subtly sweet, depending on the type and how it’s brewed. Compared to black tea, it’s much less astringent and more delicate, with a clean finish and no milk needed.

Some green teas are soft and floral, while others are stronger, more savoury, or even nutty. If over-brewed or made with boiling water, it can turn bitter — but when done right, it’s refreshing and well-balanced.

Types of Green Tea and Their Flavours

Not all green teas taste the same. Different regions and processing methods produce a wide range of flavour profiles:

1. Japanese Green Tea

  • Sencha: Grassy, slightly sweet, with a hint of seaweed

  • Matcha: Rich, creamy, umami-heavy, with a mild bitterness

  • Genmaicha: Toasted and nutty, due to added roasted rice

Japanese teas are often steamed, giving them a more leafy and vegetal flavour.

2. Chinese Green Tea

  • Longjing (Dragon Well): Smooth, nutty, and slightly sweet

  • Gunpowder: Stronger and more robust, with a smoky note

Chinese teas are usually pan-fired, making them mellower and less grassy than their Japanese counterparts.

What Affects the Taste?

Several factors influence the final flavour of green tea:

  • Water temperature: Too hot, and the tea turns bitter. Aim for 70–80°C.

  • Brew time: Longer infusions extract more bitterness. Steep for 1–3 minutes max.

  • Quality of leaves: Loose leaf teas often taste fresher and fuller than cheap bagged options.

  • Freshness: Green tea loses flavour quickly when exposed to air, heat or light.

What Does Green Tea Taste Like Compared to Other Teas?

Green tea is lighter and less bold than black tea, which is oxidised and has more tannins. It’s not as sweet or herbal as fruit or flavoured teas, but more subtle and soothing.

Think of it as sitting between herbal and traditional black tea — clean, calming, and naturally low in caffeine.

Is Green Tea Bitter?

It can be — but it doesn’t have to be. Bitterness usually comes from over-steeping or using water that’s too hot. When brewed correctly, it should have just a touch of bitterness, balanced with sweetness and freshness.

Final Thought

Green tea tastes fresh, mild, and slightly grassy, with flavour variations depending on the type, origin, and how it’s made. It’s a subtle but complex drink that can range from floral and sweet to rich and umami-packed. Once you learn how to brew it properly, green tea offers a smooth, calming experience that many find both refreshing and restorative.