9 Best Green Teas, According to a Tea Enthusiast
Find out the best-tasting brews (and why we should drink them, according to a registered dietitian).
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Many Americans are turning to green tea for their morning or afternoon pick-me-up and for good reason: This brew is chock full of health benefits. But what are the best green teas in terms of flavor? After all, if something doesn’t taste good, you’re less likely to drink it. Unfortunately, not all the brands out there make a great cup or pot, which is why we’ve compiled this list of the top green teas.
What are the health benefits of green tea?
Some swear by a pre-workout cup to increase fat burning. There’s some evidence to suggest that green tea’s ability to rev your metabolism is boosted by aerobic or resistance exercise so many folks have been drinking it to promote weight loss.
Need more incentive to sip this superfood drink? “Green tea contains antioxidants like catechins that may help with oxidative stress and inflammation,” says Valerie Agyeman, RD, a women's health dietitian and host of the Flourish Heights podcast. “Some studies suggest it might improve brain function and focus, as well as support heart health by potentially lowering LDL cholesterol.”
Ever wonder why people offer a cuppa when someone is upset? It turns out that tea may also have calming effects that could reduce stress, according to Agyeman. One study indicates that tea can help relax the mind, without inducing drowsiness. The perks of green tea can extend outside the body as well. Drinking this brew may be associated with healthier skin, particularly in protecting against UV radiation damage, although these benefits can vary, Agyeman explains.
Rishi Tea Sencha Green Tea Sachet Tea Bags
Pros
- Larger tea leaves in sachets
- Organic biodegradable, plant-based sachets
- Transparent sourcing
Cons
- Pricier compared to other brands of tea bags
Do you enjoy fresh rain on grass? Then try this light, lively, almost juicy sencha that steeps into an all-around enjoyable cup. The larger tea leaves in the pyramid-shaped sachets are definitely an upgrade on the dusty dregs often found in lower-quality tea bags.
Rishi Tea sources its sencha from Kagoshima prefecture of Kyushu, where farmers follow strict growing procedures. The leaves for this type of green tea are steamed (whereas most others are roasted), resulting in a bright and mouthwatering brew. Think of steamed asparagus vs. roasted asparagus.
The sachets themselves are organic biodegradable and plant-based. Compare that to non-biodegradable tea bags and sachets, which may be made with bleached paper, plastics and nylon — leaching microplastics and chemicals when dunked into hot water. The packaging and organic sourcing contribute to a higher price point but we think you'll agree it's worth it.
Serving size: 1 sachet | Servings per container: 15 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: Yes | Price per serving: ~$0.67
Pros
- Certified B Corp (meets high standards of verified social and environmental performance)
- Inexpensive
- Individually wrapped in foil pouches to keep out moisture
- Widely available
Cons
- Tea bags are not organic or biodegradable
- No specific steeping temperature provided
- Flavor is milder compared to other green teas
If cost is a concern, Bigelow nets out to just 20 cents per tea bag and is widely available in most grocery stores across the U.S. The steeped tea is smooth, without the bracing bitterness that some dislike in green teas. However, the flavor is much milder compared to other brands.
Each tea bag comes wrapped in a foil pouch, which helps keep out moisture. The tea bags themselves are not organic or biodegradable, however Bigelow is Certified B Corp, which means that the company meets high standards of verified social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
The package does not specify the temperature of the water for steeping (ideally 160° to 175°F for green tea). This is important to note because brewing green tea in boiling water (212°F) will burn the tea leaves and extract bitter flavors.
Serving size: 1 tea bag | Servings per container: 20 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: No | Price per serving: ~$0.20
Numi Organic Gunpowder Green Tea (three 18-bag boxes)
Pros
- USDA organic and Fair Trade certified
- Reasonably priced
- Tea leaves are rolled into tight pearls
Cons
- No specific steeping temperature provided
- Flavor may be too robust for some
The gunpowder in the name refers to the pearl shape the tea leaves are rolled into but this brew also delivers a lot of bang for your buck. Just one bag produces a brisk, assertive and robust cup of tea for about 44 cents.
While tea bags from other brands may be bleached and contain plastic, the ones from Numi are biodegradable, unbleached and made from non-GMO Manila hemp fiber. The green tea inside the bags is Fair Trade Certified™ organic and sourced from a single origin (Jiangxi, China).
While a steep time of two to three minutes is suggested on the package, no specific temperature for the water is provided (we recommend 160° to 175°F).
Serving size: 1 tea bag | Servings per container: 18 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: Yes | Price per serving: ~$0.44
Pros
- Sweeter and less bitter than other types of green tea
- Leaves stand up to several re-steeps
- Small batches are shipped weekly from Japan to maximize freshness
Cons
- High in caffeine
- Pricier than other green teas (but great value for this variety of tea)
For the Rolls-Royce of green teas, look to gyokuro, one of the rarest and most prestigious types of tea in the world. Sourced from Shizuoka prefecture in Japan, Ocha & Co. gyokuro is rich and nutty with a sweet, concentrated umami. The company ships small batches of tea weekly from Japan so each vacuum-sealed bag is super fresh.
The shading process for gyokuro results in tea leaves that are less bitter and higher in caffeine (120 to 140 milligrams per cup vs. 95 milligrams for coffee) but with a lower yield. The labor involved in production also commands a higher price tag.
The cost for this tea is $1.75 for one serving, which is higher than most loose-leaf green teas but on the modest end for gyokuro, which can fetch up to $75 for one cup! Keep in mind, however, that you can re-steep the leaves three to five times after the initial steep.
Serving size: 5 g (0.18 oz) | Servings per container: 20 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: No, but certified organic by Ecocert Japan | Price per serving: $1.75
Ippodo Tea Ummon Matcha - 20 g (0.7 oz)
Pros
- Finely milled and whisks easily
- Beautiful, emerald-green color
- Does not have the astringency often associated with matcha
- Small batch production yields fresh, vibrant matcha
Cons
- Pricy
- Small batch production can lead to shortages and long wait times to order
Lush and emerald in color, Kyoto-based Ippodo Ummon matcha looks like gorgeous green velvet in the glass. If the appearance doesn't seduce you, the fragrant aromas and rich flavor will. The Ummon also has a deep umami minus the astringency and chalkiness of many other brands, which makes it more approachable for those new to matcha.
The powder is finely milled and whisks easily without clumping, even when prepared with cold water for iced matcha. Each tin is fresh and vibrant, thanks to the small batch production — though that can lead to shortages in supply and week(s)-long wait times to order.
All these perks, however, come with a hefty price tag for Ippodo Ummon, which clocks in at $3 per serving. If that's too much for a self-splurge, consider adding this tea to your birthday and holiday wish lists for the ultimate in tea luxury.
How do the health benefits for matcha compare to those for green tea? "Matcha is nutrient-dense, providing higher concentrations of antioxidants and other nutrients since you consume the whole tea leaf in powdered form," explains Agyeman.
"Matcha also contains more caffeine and L-theanine, which can support focus and provide a steady energy boost," adds Agyeman. "However, because it is more potent, it’s best to drink matcha in moderation to manage caffeine intake."
Serving size: 2 g (1 tsp) | Servings per container: 10 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: No | Price per serving: ~$3
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Jade Leaf Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha Teahouse Edition - 30 g (1.06 oz)
Pros
- Farm-direct from Japan
- Price point allows for culinary use
- USDA organic
Cons
- Clumped more than our splurge pick
For a more affordable matcha that still tastes great, look to Jade Leaf, whose organic ceremonial teahouse edition was a 2023 Good Housekeeping Tea Awards winner. At $1.66 per serving, this matcha makes a smooth, pleasantly grassy cup (hot or iced) yet is not so prohibitively priced to preclude it from culinary use, like in smoothies, cookies and other baked goods.
The matcha is sourced directly from tea farmers in the Uji and Kagoshima regions of Japan, which helps keep the retail price modest.
Compared to our splurge pick for matcha, the powder was not as finely milled and, therefore, clumped a bit more when whisked with water. That's not a dealbreaker — it just means the matcha requires a little more time and elbow grease to prepare.
Serving size: 2 g (1 tsp) | Servings per container: 15 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: Yes | Price per serving: ~$1.66
DavidsTea Korean Sejak Tea Organic - 1.7 oz loose leaf
Pros
- Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
- Transparent sourcing
- Leaves stand up to several re-steeps
Cons
- Contains more caffeine than most other green teas
- Only available as loose leaves, which is pricier than tea bags and may be inconvenient for some
Savory and nutty with aromas of salty sea air, this sejak variety of green tea has a real sense of place. It's sourced from Jeju Island in South Korea, where the volcanic soil and surrounding seas contribute a delicious complexity to the organic tea leaves, which are eventually steamed and roasted.
DavidsTea sejak is only available as loose leaves, which stand up to re-steeping several more times after the initial steep without losing much flavor.
When it comes to caffeine per cup, this tea contains 40+ milligrams, which is more than the 25 to 35 milligrams found in most other green teas.
Serving size: 2.5 tsp | Servings per container: 15 to 20 | Ingredients: Green tea | USDA Organic: No, but certified organic by Ecocert Canada | Price per serving: $0.70 to $0.93
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Pros
- Decaffeinated
- More flavorful than other decaf green teas
- CO2 decaffeination method retains most of the antioxidants in green tea
Cons
- Only available as loose leaves, which is pricier than tea bags and may be inconvenient for some
As with coffee, when you remove caffeine from tea, you're also removing some of the flavor and body. That said, Harney & Sons decaf sencha manages to retain more flavor than most other caffeine-free green teas.
Compared to conventional sencha, which is bright and lively, this decaf version is lighter-bodied with a more roasted, grassy flavor.
Harney & Sons uses carbon dioxide to extract the caffeine from this green tea. This method has been found to retain most of the antioxidants in green tea (more than 90%) vs. the ethyl acetate process, which retains less than 20% of the antioxidants.
It's a terrific choice for an after-dinner tea or for those looking to reap most of the health benefits from green tea without the caffeine buzz.
This decaf green tea is only available in loose-leaf form, which makes it more expensive than most brands available in tea bags and may be inconvenient for some.
Serving size: 0.1 to 0.13 oz | Servings per container: 15 to 20 | Ingredients: Decaffeinated green tea | USDA Organic: No | Price per serving: ~$0.62 to $0.83
Ito En Oi Ocha, Unsweetened Iced Green Tea - 16.9 oz bottle
Pros
- Convenient
- No sugar added
- Just three ingredients
Cons
- More expensive than DIY
- Bottled in plastic
When you're too busy to even put on a kettle for tea, this grab-and-go option from Ito En is a savior. Bold and refreshingly dry, Oi Ocha tastes as close to homemade iced green tea as you can get from a bottle.
The crisp, clean flavor is due to just three simple ingredients: purified water, green tea and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Compare that to other packaged iced green teas, which may contain high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, sodium polyphosphates and calcium disodium EDTA.
Because it's a prepared product, it will cost more than something you make it home. Another downside is that it's only available in a plastic bottle.
Serving size: 8 oz | Servings per container: 2 | Ingredients: Purified water, green tea and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | USDA Organic: No | Price per serving: ~$1.00
How to choose a green tea
When deciding between tea bags vs. loose-leaf, Agyeman recommends the latter. “Loose-leaf tea is often higher quality, contains more antioxidants and doesn’t risk releasing microplastics like some tea bags might,” she says. “It also provides better flavor and more nutrients.” But if you know that you’re unlikely to steep loose-leaf tea, drinking it from tea bags is better than nothing. For most people, convenience is important and tea bags tend to be easier to use, Agyeman advises. “It’s really about what fits your personal taste and needs.”
How much green tea do you need to drink to see the benefits?
Two to three cups a day, according to Agyeman. “Some studies show benefits with just one cup, while others suggest up to five cups.” Before you binge-drink tea, however, she has an important piece of advice: “Please be aware of potential interactions with medications, and consult your healthcare provider to determine the best amount based on your individual health needs.”
How much caffeine is in green tea?
“Green tea has less caffeine than coffee, with 25 to 35 milligrams per cup compared to coffee’s 95 milligrams,” says Agyeman. (A notable exception is a type of green tea called gyokuro, which has more caffeine than coffee.) “This makes green tea a gentler option, causing fewer side effects like insomnia and jitteriness, and is better for those sensitive to caffeine.”
Is organic green tea better than non-organic?
Organic green tea is a good choice if you prefer it, as it's grown without synthetic chemicals, according to Agyeman. It’s similar to choosing organic produce: “While the health benefits are similar to non-organic tea, organic tea avoids chemical residues and supports more sustainable farming.”
Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. In the Test Kitchen, she cooks (and samples!) recipes, working with developers to deliver the best written versions possible. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. She enjoys playing tennis, natural wines and reality competition shows.
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