The Art of Green Tea: How Redwood Tea Estate Brings Out the Best

At Redwood Tea Estate, we take pride in our meticulous tea processing methods, which set our green tea apart from the rest. As green tea grows in popularity worldwide, understanding its unique processing can enhance your appreciation for this remarkable beverage. Let’s delve into the differences between Japanese and Chinese green tea processing, and how our approach at Redwood Tea Estate delivers a superior cup.

Japanese vs. Chinese Green Tea Processing

Japanese Green Tea Processing:

1. Steaming: Japanese green teas are typically steamed soon after harvest. This method helps preserve the vibrant green color and fresh, grassy flavor. Steaming halts oxidation, keeping the tea leaves from turning brown.

2. Rolling: After steaming, the leaves are rolled to release essential oils and shape them. This process enhances the flavor and aroma of the tea.

3. Drying: The rolled leaves are then dried, often in hot air dryers, to lock in the flavor and reduce moisture content.

The result is a tea that’s bright green with a distinct vegetal taste. While this method preserves the freshness and color of the tea, it can sometimes lead to a more astringent or bitter flavor if the tea is over-steamed or poorly processed.

Chinese Green Tea Processing:

1. Pan Roasting: Unlike the Japanese method, many Chinese green teas are processed using pan roasting. This technique imparts a rich, roasted flavor and helps to reduce bitterness. Pan roasting also gives the tea a smooth, nutty taste, often reminiscent of young chestnuts.

2. Withering: Chinese green tea often undergoes a longer withering process. This allows the leaves to partially oxidize, developing more complex flavors while reducing bitterness.

3. Slow Drying: The leaves are slowly dried to preserve their delicate flavors and aromas. This careful drying process ensures a smooth, buttery texture that enhances the tea’s overall profile.

The Redwood Tea Estate Approach

At Redwood Tea Estate, we adopt a refined approach to green tea processing that incorporates and extends traditional Chinese techniques. Here’s how we make our green tea stand out:

• Extended Withering: Our tea leaves undergo a thorough withering process for 4 hours, compared to the typical 2 hours. This extended withering allows for a more gradual and controlled oxidation, resulting in a richer and more complex flavor profile while mitigating bitterness.

• Pan Roasting: We use pan roasting to impart a rich, roasted flavor that contributes to the tea’s smooth, nutty profile reminiscent of young chestnuts. This method helps reduce the astringency that can be found in less carefully processed green teas.

• Slow Drying: Instead of the standard 80-90°C drying temperatures, we dry our tea at a more controlled 60°C. This slower drying process helps preserve the delicate flavors and aroma of the tea, creating a smoother, buttery texture.

• Oven Drying with a Unique Finish: Our slow oven drying creates a superficial black veneer on the tea leaves. This black coloration is a result of the low-temperature drying process and is purely cosmetic—once brewed, the tea reveals its true vibrant green color and refined flavor.

Why American Consumers Often Struggle with Green Tea

In the U.S., green tea represents a smaller percentage of overall tea consumption compared to black tea. This is partly due to the common practice of brewing green tea with water that’s too hot and steeping it for too long, which can lead to bitterness. Additionally, lower-quality green tea can be overly astringent and harsh, contributing to a negative perception of the tea.

By contrast, in East Asia, green tea is a staple, often forming the majority of tea consumed. The traditional processing methods used there result in a tea that is cherished for its delicate and refreshing qualities.

Experience the Difference

At Redwood Tea Estate, we are committed to providing green tea that defies the common pitfalls. Our unique processing methods—extended withering, pan roasting, and slow drying—ensure a smooth, nuanced tea experience that showcases the best of traditional techniques. We invite you to experience our green tea, which embodies a perfect balance of buttery richness and smoothness, and see for yourself why our approach stands out.

Explore our collection and taste the difference that careful processing can make. Cheers to a new appreciation for green tea!