Compare Green Teas: Intro + How-To! Mao Feng, Dragonwell, Matcha

Green Tea for Spring

Spring is coming! In the Chinese lunisolar calendar, we are entering the time of Waking of Insects (Jing Zhe), when hibernating creatures awake after winter.

As the weather begins to warm, we are also waking up, and reaching for lighter, more refreshing flavors. Time for green tea!

3 Types of Green Tea

In honor of the season, we will brew and compare 3 green teas:

All three of these green teas were grown in Zhejiang Province in China, which is famous for green tea production. Dragonwell is famously from Hangzhou, near West Lake.

Matcha is generally associated with Japan, and it’s true that the Japanese have developed matcha over the centuries. But did you know that matcha originally came from China?

Matcha & Chinese Tea History

Before loose leaf tea was popularized in 14th century China (Ming Dynasty), all tea was ground into a powder form and whisked with water. As the only well-known powdered tea in modern times, Matcha is a hint at what that early period in the history of tea was like.

How to Brew Green Tea

Water Temperature

You can use boiling water to brew high quality green teas with good results, but the flavor tends to be the sharp and strong end of the spectrum. We recommend 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit (82-88 Celsius).

Skip the Rinse!

With most teas, we usually do a hot water rinse before brewing, but it isn’t necessary for green tea. The flavor is extracted more quickly than a rolled oolong or Pu-Erh tea would, for example. And of course, doing a rinse with matcha just won’t work!

Ratios & Timing

	Mao Feng Green	Dragonwell	Matcha
Tea Leaf	1 Tbsp (4 g)	1 Tbsp (4 g)	1 tsp (2 g)
Water	6 fl oz (175 mL)	6 fl oz (175 mL)	6 fl oz (175 mL)
Brew Time	30-60 sec, repeat	30-60 sec, repeat	Whisk until frothy

Matcha Preparation

Brewing matcha is, as you might guess, different from brewing loose leaf tea. With loose leaf, the method is familiar to most folks:

1. Pour hot water over tea leaves
2. Wait for the flavor to extract
3. Strain the leaves from the tea liquid

With ceremonial grade matcha, the powder must be suspended in the water through whisking or shaking.

Here are some tips for anyone new to using a bamboo matcha whisk (chasen):

1. To avoid clumps, add a tablespoon or so of water to the tea powder in a small bowl, and whisk to make a kind of paste.
2. Pour in the remaining water and whisk gently to combine
3. Flick the wrist of the hand holding the whisk in a W/M shape, quickly back and forth through the tea, until a froth forms
4. Once you have your desired level of foam, you’re done!

Alternatives to the Traditional Matcha Whisk

If the above method is a little intimidating, don’t worry, it’s not the only way. Here are a couple other approaches to try:

• Handheld portable frother wand, of the sort used for homemade latte drinks (we recommend using the paste tip above first, to prevent clumping)
• Small kitchen whisk (don’t bother with making froth)
• Shaker bottle of the sort used for protein shakes (best for iced tea!)
• Use the paste method above, then use a french press to create foam! Check out our demonstration on Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CC Fine Tea (@ccfinetea)

Green Tea Tasting Results

Dry Leaf Comparison

Each of the three green teas have a completely different processing method from the raw leaf material. As a result, they all look and taste quite different.

Wet Leaf Fragrance:

Mao Feng Green	Dragonwell	Matcha
Creamy, Buttery Floral Roasted Chestnut	Toasted Rice Fresh Orchid Flower Warm and Nutty	Fresh Green Grass Rich and Deep

Tea Liquid Color:

Mao Feng Green	Dragonwell	Matcha
Pale Gold with Green/Blue Tint	Warmer Gold	Pale green foam and deep forest green liquid

Flavor:

Mao Feng Green	Dragonwell	Matcha
Bright, Fresh Feeling of Summer Sunshine Lingering Sweetness	Deeper, Full Bodied Nutty Richness Sweet & Refreshing	Pleasant Astringency Fresh Cut Grass Slightly Fruity Lingering Sweetness

Thanks for reading our quick intro to three major types of green tea. Hope you are inspired to brew tea and have a wonderful day!

Recommended Teaware for Green Tea