Green Tea

My Starting Point

Green tea was my gateway into the deep world of Chinese tea ceremony. Back in Beijing, when I first experienced that lingering sweetness that stayed with me for two days, it was green tea that opened my eyes to what tea could truly be. Under Ms. Xiao's guidance at Lian Yu School, I began my formal studies with green tea, learning not just how to brew, but how to understand tea's cultural significance.

The collection you'll find here reflects that learning journey, from those first revelations to discoveries I've made here in Tasmania.

Three Paths of Discovery

Chinese Tea: The Foundation

Chinese green teas form the heart of this collection, representing the deep tradition where my tea education began. These work well for different moments in your day.

Dragon Well (Long Jing) offers that classic Chinese green tea experience—smooth, with gentle chestnut notes that make it reliable for daily morning brewing. I've found it's an excellent choice if you want to explore traditional Chinese tea without overwhelming flavors.

Jasmine Dragon Pearls bring something special to afternoons or when you want a tea that feels like a gentle celebration. The hand-rolled pearls slowly unfurl, releasing delicate jasmine fragrance that's been naturally absorbed by the tea leaves. If you enjoy floral teas but want something more refined than artificial flavoring, this is your tea.

Our Osmanthus Green showcases how traditional Chinese tea makers understood natural blending—sweet osmanthus flowers paired with green tea create something both familiar and surprising. I've found it works beautifully when you want something floral but substantial.

Our Genmai Green, blended with roasted rice, provides comforting, toasty flavors that work well when you want something warming and substantial. It's particularly good for people who find straight green tea too grassy or when you need something satisfying with simple meals.

Japanese Tea: A Deeper Philosophy

My own journey with Japanese tea here in Hobart began with sharing Chinese tea culture, but over the past two years, I've been studying under Allan Halyk, a Urasenke Tea Master based in Hobart. What started as cultural exchange evolved into serious study of matcha preparation and the profound philosophy behind Japanese tea ceremony. Each lesson revealed new layers—the precise movements, the mindful preparation, the way silence and beauty interweave in a single moment.

This study shows in our Japanese green teas. Our Gyokuro represents the pinnacle of Japanese tea craftsmanship—shade-grown for weeks to create that distinctive umami richness. I've found it offers focused energy that's completely different from coffee.

For those interested in ceremonial practice, our HIJIRI-NO-SATO ceremonial matcha provides an approachable entry into traditional preparation, while SEIFU matcha offers the premium experience for serious practice.

Tasmanian Exploration: Local Discovery

Here in Tasmania, I began exploring what our pristine local environment could offer. Starting with Tasmanian tea gardens, I discovered the clean, grassy character of our Huon Green—pesticide-free and uniquely Tasmanian.

Our Huon Green works well if you want something light and refreshing for any time of day. It's particularly good for people who prefer gentle, uncomplicated flavors or those interested in supporting local Tasmanian agriculture.

This exploration led me to experiment with combining Chinese tea knowledge with local elements. Our Tasmanian Mint Green represents this approach—it's become a well-balanced blend where local mint enhances rather than overwhelms the green tea's natural sweetness and returning aftertaste (hui gan). I've found it refreshing yet grounding, ideal for afternoon moments when you want something cooling but still want the gentle energy of green tea.

Choosing What Works for You

Through years of experience, I've discovered that green tea provides reliable, sustained energy. Our higher-caffeine varieties—like Dragon Well and Gyokuro—create good focus for morning work or study sessions.

The medium-caffeine teas, including our blended varieties, offer gentler awakening. I often recommend these for people transitioning from coffee, as they provide clarity without intensity. The Jasmine Dragon Pearls work particularly well for this, as the floral notes make the transition more enjoyable.

If you're new to green tea, I'd suggest starting with either Jasmine Dragon Pearls for their approachable sweetness or our Tasmanian varieties for their gentle, familiar character.

Your Personal Journey

This collection grows with you. I've included smaller sizes of several teas because I believe you should discover your preferences through tasting, not guessing.

Whether you begin with the approachable sweetness of Jasmine Dragon Pearls or explore the clean character of Tasmanian Huon Green, each tea offers its own lessons. In my experience, green tea rewards attention—the more mindfully you brew and taste, the more it reveals.

Brewing Your Discovery

Each tea comes with detailed brewing instructions, but remember these are starting points for your own exploration. I encourage you to experiment with temperatures and timing. Your ideal cup might taste different from mine, and that's exactly as it should be.

Most of these teas work well with simple western brewing—just adjust the steeping time to your taste preferences.

Green tea began my journey into tea's deeper meanings, and I hope it brings you the same sense of discovery.