Exploring the World of Vietnamese Green Tea (Fish Hook Green Tea)
- Experience the award-winning treasure of Vietnam– a green tea so exceptional it captured two prestigious honors at the 2024 World Tea Expo, delivering a refreshingly vibrant flavor profile.  Well, this exclusive blog is to unveil the legacy of Vietnamese green tea from Tea J Tea, brought to you directly from the heart of Vietnam.
- Vietnamese green tea offers a unique experience for tea enthusiasts seeking a refreshing and authentic brew. With its distinctive flavor profile and rich cultural heritage, this tea has been gaining recognition globally while maintaining its deep roots in Vietnamese tradition.
The Tradition of Morning Tea in Vietnam
- In Vietnam, morning tea is more than just a habit. It's a generations-old ritual that marks the beginning of each day. However, while many of us savour robust black teas or English breakfast blends to start their mornings, Vietnamese tradition favors the delicate character of green tea. Green tea is the most popular tea type in Vietnam and this practice goes beyond mere consumption; it represents a mindful pause before the day's activities begin. The calming influence of this morning ritual helps set a peaceful tone for the day ahead.
- Like many other tea drinking nations, Vietnam also has a tea culture that plays a central role in the Vietnamese community. Offering tea to guests is considered a gesture of respect and hospitality. Within Vietnamese society, the Thái Nguyên green tea stands as the most common and popular variety, enjoyed daily in households throughout the country. Beyond this everyday staple, the tradition extends to prized floral-scented varieties such as Jasmine green tea, Pomelo green tea or lotus tea. In the modern day, the Vietnamese artisan tea industry is gaining popularity.Â
Overview of Vietnamese Tea
Types of Vietnamese Tea
- Vietnam produces a diverse array of exceptional teas, each reflecting the country's rich agricultural heritage. The Vietnamese tea landscape encompasses several distinctive varieties:
- 🔹Vietnamese white tea (Bach Trà ) emerges as a delicate and minimally processed tea variety that showcases the purest expression of tea's natural attributes. Harvested from the youngest, most tender tea buds, White tea represents a subtle and refined approach to tea production. These teas are characterized by their light, almost translucent liquor, gentle flavor profile, and a soft, nuanced sweetness that reflects the pristine conditions of Vietnam's tea-growing regions.
- 🔹Vietnamese green tea (Trà xanh) stands as the country's most prominent and widely consumed variety. Celebrated for its fresh, vibrant character, this tea perfectly captures the essence of Vietnam's lush growing regions with its distinctive grassy notes and natural sweetness.(Read More)
- 🔹Vietnamese black tea (Trà đen), though less common, offers a robust alternative with deeper, more oxidized flavors. These teas reveal complex malty and sometimes fruity profiles that showcase another dimension of Vietnam's tea craftsmanship.
- 🔹Vietnamese oolong tea (Trà oolong) occupies the middle ground between green and black varieties. Cultivated primarily in specific regions with suitable terroir, these partially-oxidized teas deliver nuanced floral and honey-like characteristics.
- 🔹Vietnamese Pu'erh tea (Trà Phổ Nhĩ) introduces a unique fermented tea variety that has gained significant appreciation in Vietnam's tea culture. Originating from the traditional tea-making techniques of Yunnan province in China, Vietnamese Pu'erh teas are typically aged and fermented, developing complex and deep flavor profiles over time. These teas are known for their rich, earthy characteristics, smooth texture, and potential health benefits.
- 🔹Vietnamese flower tea (Trà ướp hoa) represents a treasured tradition where tea leaves are artfully scented with various botanical elements. Lotus tea (Trà Sen) stands as perhaps the most revered, where tea leaves absorb the delicate fragrance of lotus flowers through a meticulous traditional process. Jasmine tea (Trà Là i) offers another popular aromatic option, delivering a sweet floral bouquet that complements the underlying tea character.
- While flower-scented and specialty pure tea varieties hold cultural significance, Thái Nguyên green tea remains the cornerstone of Vietnamese tea culture, reflecting the country's diversity and farming strength. These green teas, especially the spring harvests, are given as cherished gifts during special occasions such as new year and family celebrations. In recent years, artisan Vietnamese teas from the mountainous regions of Vietnam are becoming much more popular.Â
Tea Cultivation in Vietnam
- Tea cultivation in Vietnam thrives in the country's northern provinces, where the ideal combination of elevation, climate, and soil creates perfect growing conditions. Further, it expands across the central plains of the country and beyond. Tea grows at varying altitudes, with some premium varieties cultivated at elevations up to 1,000 meters. This geography contributes significantly to the distinctive flavor profile of Vietnamese tea, giving it a fresh, grassy character that distinguishes it from teas grown in other parts of the world.
- Among all tea-growing areas in Vietnam , Thái Nguyên province is the most renowned tea-growing region, often called Vietnam's "tea capital". The area produces delicious teas that even the ancient Vietnamese Kings enjoy. Moreover, the tea from this region has been given as "tribute" teas for decades in the past.Â
Vietnamese Green Tea: A Deeper Dive
- Vietnamese green tea from Tea J Tea stands apart with its vibrant character and unique processing methods that have been refined over generations of tea cultivation. Our green tea from Tea J Tea exceptional tea originates from the Thùy Khanh Tea garden, a treasured establishment in Vietnam's tea landscape.
- The Thùy Khanh Tea Garden :
- Nestled in the Thái Nguyên region, widely recognized as the tea capital of Vietnam, the Thùy Khanh Tea Garden showcases the pinnacle of Vietnamese tea craftsmanship. Officially established in the 1990s, this small-scale, family-owned tea garden sits at an impressive location that creates ideal growing conditions for premium tea leaves.
- The garden is currently under the stewardship of Master Thùy Khanh, a third-generation tea farmer who continues the family legacy of tea excellence. The tea knowledge of the Thùy Khanh Tea Garden is deeply rooted in family tradition, passed down through nearly three generations, as they were engaging with tea, even before the formal initiation of the company. The company is now run by the third generation, with their parents and grandparents having been intimately involved in the tea-making process. This generational expertise ensures the art of tea production is carefully preserved and refined.
- The garden exclusively produces one type of green tea, which is recognized domestically as the national drink of Vietnamese households. Each leaf is hand-picked and handled with meticulous care until they become the most flavourful green tea. This careful processing style ensures that only the finest leaves make their way into the garden's exceptional products
Characteristics of Vietnamese Green Tea
- Visually, the dry leaves display a vibrant green color, often with a slight curl. This is how the tea earned its nickname, "Fish Hook Green Tea". When brewed, the tea produces a pale yellow to light green liquor that is clear and bright. The aroma is equally captivating—fresh and grassy with subtle sweet undertones that invite you to take that first sip.
- The flavor profile of Vietnamese green tea is immediately distinctive upon the first sip. It offers a refreshingly clean, vegetal taste with notes reminiscent of corn silk and fresh grass. This Vietnamese green tea often features a natural sweetness and a smooth finish that lingers pleasantly. However, the tea can become bitter if you overbrew it. To avoid astringent notes, it is recommended to follow the recommended brewing parameters, as temperature and steeping time are crucial in brewing a "perfect" cup of Vietnamese Green Tea.
Health Benefits
- Vietnamese green tea is rich in polyphenols, particularly catechins, which are potent antioxidants. These compounds help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body. The tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness.
- Regular consumption of Vietnamese green tea has been associated with several potential health benefits. It may support better metabolism and weight management by increasing fat oxidation. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine can enhance brain function, improving alertness and focus while providing a more balanced energy boost compared to coffee. Additionally, studies suggest green tea may support heart health by helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure. (Read More)
Brewing the Perfect Cup of Vietnamese Green Tea
Traditional Brewing Methods
- To experience Vietnamese green tea at its finest, proper brewing techniques are essential:
- Gong Fu Style (Traditional Method):
- 🔹Water Quantity: 5 oz/150ml
- 🔹Temperature: 175°F (80°C)
- 🔹Tea Amount: 5 grams/0.17 oz
- 🔹Brewing Time: Start with 15 seconds
- 🔹Subsequent Infusions: Add 5 seconds each time, enjoying up to 5 infusions
- The traditional method uses a higher leaf-to-water ratio with shorter steeping times, allowing the tea's character to evolve across multiple infusions. This method reveals different aspects of the tea's flavor profile with each steep.
Modern Approaches
- For those with busy modern lifestyles, Vietnamese green tea can be brewed in a more accessible manner:
- Western Style:
- 🔹Water Quantity: 8.8 oz/260ml
- 🔹Temperature: 175°F (80°C)
- 🔹Tea Amount: 3 grams/0.10 oz
- 🔹Brewing Time: 180 seconds (3 minutes)
- 🔹Subsequent Infusions: Add 60 seconds each time
- This method produces a flavorful cup of tea, making it a suitable morning routine for those who need a "wake-me-up". Vietnamese green tea pairs wonderfully with light breakfast foods, rice or grain-based morning dishes.Â
Sourcing and Buying Vietnamese Green Tea
- Premium Vietnamese green tea is increasingly available through specialty tea shops and particularly on the Tea J Tea online store that focus on quality and sustainability. Unfortunately the Thùy Khanh Tea garden only ships domestically in Vietnam. TeaJTea is trying to raise awareness for this tea farm and bring attention to high-quality Vietnamese teas that are produced in this region. You can purchase this tea through our Tea J Tea online website.
What do we offer?
- 🔹 2023 Award-Winning Tea Batch: $85 per 100 grams (Limited quantity: Only 3 packs available)
- 🔹Standard 2023-2024 Batch: $40 per 100 gram pack
- The award-winning green tea from Tea J Tea represents some of the finest tea Vietnam has to offer. This premium Vietnamese green tea has earned recognition at the 2024 World Tea Expo, winning both the Best Green Tea Award and the Best Vietnamese Tea Origin Award—a testament to its exceptional quality.
What to Look For
- When selecting Vietnamese green tea, consider these quality indicators:
- 🔹Harvesting Season: The tea is harvested year-round. Although the spring-harvested teas (typically March-April) are often considered the most prized for their vibrant flavor after the hibernation period.
- 🔹Origin: Teas specifically from Tân Cương, Thái Nguyên province, are highly regarded.
- 🔹 Appearance: Look for uniform, whole leaves with a vibrant green color and a curl at the tip of the tea.
- 🔹Processing Method: Traditional hand-pan-frying methods for the kill-green often yield superior results compared to industrial processing.
- 🔹Sustainable Practices: Many premium tea estates employ organic farming methods that produce better tea while protecting the environment.
Conclusion
- Vietnamese green tea offers a unique window into Vietnam's rich cultural heritage and natural bounty. From the Thái Nguyên region to your morning teacup, this exceptional tea carries centuries of tradition and craftsmanship.
- Whether you're drawn to its robust flavor profile, its potential health benefits, or simply the mindful moment it creates in your morning routine, Vietnamese green tea provides an authentic tea experience worth exploring. By incorporating this remarkable tea into your own morning ritual, you connect with a tradition that has brought comfort and clarity to generations of tea drinkers.
- Ready to experience the authentic taste of Vietnam's finest green tea? Visit Tea J Tea's online store today and discover our award-winning selection direct from the Thùy Khanh Tea Estate. Transform your morning ritual with Tea J Tea—where tradition meets your teacup. Order now and taste the difference that has earned global recognition at the 2024 World Tea Expo.
Explore our Tea Tours...
- Ready to dive deeper into Vietnamese tea culture? Join Tea J's Vietnamese Green Tea Tour in 2025, an immersive journey through Thái Nguyên's legendary tea gardens. Experience hands-on tea workshops, meet master tea farmers, and unlock the secrets of authentic Vietnamese green tea.Â
- Limited spots available—book your adventure at our Tea Tour official page.Â