The 30 best chinese tea brands
Green Hill, Prince of Peace and Triple Leaf lead our ranking of 30 chinese tea brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Chinese Tea brands, ranked
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1
Green Hill
Love the aroma of tea and wish to enjoy every sip? Then, Green Hill is at your service with its premium collection. Their tea collection includes coconut, Darjeeling flavor, golden monkey, earl grey, Assam taste, etc. All the authentic tastes are gathered from various places and served in a cup. Green Hill believes in the quality and variety of a specific product so that the customers can find a variety of tea leaves on just one website.
Website: greenhilltea.com |Brands like Green Hill
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace is known for Chinese ginger and herbal drinks, including instant ginger tea and related tea-style beverages.
Website: princeofpeaceginger.com |Brands like Prince of Peace
Popularity 8.1/10
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3
Triple Leaf
A Chinese-American family-owned company produces Triple Leaf Teas. This company combines traditional Chinese herbal remedies with the expertise of contemporary Chinese herbalists who have received conventional herbal medicine training. This led to the development of these delectable therapeutic teas to satisfy modern needs. They use biodegradable inks to print on recycled paperboard to make their boxes. This brand fully recycles all of their tea packaging, including the paper tea enclosures, leaflets, and tea boxes.
Website: tripleleaf-tea.com |Brands like Triple Leaf
Popularity 6.3/10
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4
Teavana
Teavana sells loose-leaf and blended teas, including Chinese green, oolong, and jasmine teas in its retail stores and online.
Website: teavana.com |Brands like Teavana
Popularity 4.8/10
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5
Yogi
Yogi Tea makes herbal and spiced tea blends, with some green tea products in its range.
Website: yogifootwear.com |Brands like Yogi
Popularity 4.6/10
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6
Numi
Numi sells organic teas, including green and oolong blends with Chinese-style leaves.
Website: numitea.com |Brands like Numi
Popularity 4.3/10
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7
Bigelow
Bigelow makes packaged tea bags, mostly black, herbal, and some green tea varieties.
Website: bigelowtea.com |Brands like Bigelow
Popularity 4.2/10
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8
Shan
Shan Valley is a premium quality tea brand with six iconic signatory items, including Green tea, Balck Tea, Teabags, botanicals, spices, and sampler sets. Experience the taste you never had before; experience the experience you never had before. The tea has a special earthy touch in its taste, along with its rich aroma, which makes it a classic delight to devour. There is absolutely free shipping on all the orders.
Website: shanvalley.com |Brands like Shan
Popularity 3.8/10
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9
Twinings
Twinings sells bagged and loose teas, including green and oolong varieties alongside its black tea range.
Website: twinings.co.uk |Brands like Twinings
Popularity 3.4/10
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10
Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons sells loose-leaf teas, including Chinese green, oolong, and jasmine teas.
Website: harney.com |Brands like Harney & Sons
Popularity 3.3/10
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11
Uncle Lee's Tea
Uncle Lee's Tea sells Chinese teas, including green, oolong, and pu-erh varieties.
Website: unclelee.com |Brands like Uncle Lee's Tea
Popularity 3.3/10
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12
ITO EN
ITO EN is a Japanese company that also sells oolong and Chinese-style teas alongside its green tea range.
Website: itoen.com |Brands like ITO EN
Popularity 3.2/10
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13
Clipper
Clipper makes organic teas, including green and herbal blends, in bagged and loose forms.
Website: clipper-teas.com |Brands like Clipper
Popularity 2.7/10
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14
Red Rose
Red Rose sells bagged black and green teas, mainly in Canada.
Website: redrosetea.com |Brands like Red Rose
Popularity 2.7/10
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15
Stash Tea
Stash Tea sells bagged and loose teas, including Chinese green and oolong varieties.
Website: stashtea.com |Brands like Stash Tea
Popularity 2.5/10
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16
Touch Organic
Organic teas are a healthy way to get your daily quota of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Touch Organic specializes in certified organic green teas and custom blends of organic teas. They believe in the power of drinking tea. Try their...
Website: touchorganic.com |Brands like Touch Organic
Popularity 2.3/10
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17
Lipton
Lipton sells bagged and loose teas, including green tea and flavored blends.
Website: lipton.com |Brands like Lipton
Popularity 2.2/10
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18
Ahmad Tea
Ahmad Tea sells bagged and loose teas, mostly black, with green and herbal varieties.
Website: ahmadteausa.com |Brands like Ahmad Tea
Popularity 2.2/10
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19
Pure Leaf
Pure Leaf is a Lipton brand selling bottled and bagged teas, including green tea products.
Website: pureleaf.com |Brands like Pure Leaf
Popularity 2.0/10
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20
Davidson
Davidson's Tea sells loose and bagged teas, including green and oolong varieties.
Website: davidsonstea.com |Brands like Davidson
Popularity 1.8/10
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21
Pukka
Pukka makes organic herbal and some green tea blends in bagged form.
Website: pukkaherbs.com |Brands like Pukka
Popularity 1.5/10
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22
teapigs
teapigs makes pyramid-bag teas, including green and oolong varieties.
Website: teapigs.com |Brands like teapigs
Popularity 1.5/10
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23
GOARTEA
GOARTEA is a Chinese tea company that makes superior quality and flavorful teas that are also good for your body. They have a wide variety of exquisite teas like Chinese black tea and Dragon well green tea that are low...
Website: goarteastore.com |Brands like GOARTEA
Popularity 1.5/10
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24
Jalpur
Since 1976, Jalpur Millers has been the proud makers and wholesaler-retailer of authentic and homemade Indian spices, powders, and flours in the UK. As the Asian community in the UK rose over time, so did the need for Indian spices...
Website: jalpurmillers.co.uk |Brands like Jalpur
Popularity 1.5/10
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25
Tazo
Tazo sells bagged and loose teas, including green and oolong blends.
Website: tazo.com |Brands like Tazo
Popularity 1.3/10
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26
Greenleaf
Greenleaf is a company that Robert Greenleaf formed back in the year. He was a mechanic who knew about the industry's ins and outs for a long time. He created the company to focus more on servant leadership. Robert also...
Website: greenleaf.org |Brands like Greenleaf
Popularity 1.3/10
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27
Tealyra
Tealyra sells loose-leaf teas, including Chinese green, oolong, and white teas.
Website: tealyra.com |Brands like Tealyra
Popularity 1.3/10
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28
Ginkgo
The Ginkgo Project is an independent design studio and manufacturer based in Texas. They specialize in designing hand-crafted modern household products that are of emotional value to their consumers and eco-friendly. Founder David Pham and co-founder Cynthia Dcunha develop, design,...
Website: theginkgoproject.com |Brands like Ginkgo
Popularity 1.3/10
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29
Adagio
Adagio Teas sells loose-leaf teas, including Chinese green, oolong, and pu-erh teas.
Website: adagio.com |Brands like Adagio
Popularity 0.9/10
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30
Greenfields
Greenfields sells bagged black and green teas in the United Kingdom.
Website: greenfieldsuk.co.uk |Brands like Greenfields
Popularity 0.9/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Hill | greenhilltea.com | /GreenHillTea | – | @GreenHillTea | TheGreenHillTea |
| Prince of Peace | princeofpeaceginger.com | /PrinceOfPeaceGinger | princeofpeaceginger | – | – |
| Triple Leaf | tripleleaf-tea.com | – | – | – | – |
| Teavana | teavana.com | /teavana | teavanatea | @teavana | TeavanaTea |
| Yogi | yogifootwear.com | /yogifootwearuk | yogifootwear | @footwearyogi | – |
| Numi | numitea.com | /numitea | numiorganictea | @NumiTea | – |
| Bigelow | bigelowtea.com | /bigelowtea | bigelowtea | @bigelowtea | bigelowtea |
| Shan | shanvalley.com | /Shanvalleytea | – | @Shan_Valley | – |
| Twinings | twinings.co.uk | – | – | @twiningsuk | – |
| Harney & Sons | harney.com | /harneytea | harneyteas | @harneytea | harneyteas |
Chinese Tea Buying Guide
Tea has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries. In addition to being a staple beverage, it is also used for medicinal purposes and as a host of other ritualistic practices. With unique flavors, aromas and health benefits, Chinese tea offers a wide range of options to choose from. The variety can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for beginners. This guide walks you through the important factors to consider when buying Chinese tea.
Types of Chinese Tea
The first step in buying Chinese tea is to understand the different types. Generally, Chinese tea is divided into five major categories:
- Green tea
- Black tea
- Oolong tea
- White tea
- Pu-erh tea
Green Tea
Green tea is the most popular and widely consumed type of tea in China. It is made from unfermented leaves and is usually steamed or pan-fired to prevent oxidation. Some common varieties include Dragonwell, Bi Luo Chun, and Mao Feng.
Black Tea
Unlike green tea, black tea is made from fully fermented leaves, which gives it a rich, bold flavor. It is ideal for use in tea blends and is popular in Western culture. Some popular Chinese black teas are Keemun, Dianhong, and Lapsang Souchong.
Oolong Tea
Oolong teas are semi-fermented, which means they go through a partial oxidation process, resulting in a taste that is somewhere between green and black tea. It is said to be the most complex type of tea with the widest range of flavors. Some common varieties are Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao, and Shui Xian.
White Tea
White tea is made from young leaves and buds that are lightly oxidized and dried. This type of tea is known for its subtle flavor and delicate aroma. It is rarely blended with other teas due to its unique character. Some of the most popular types of white tea are Silver Needle, White Peony, and Shoumei.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea that is aged for several years, giving it a distinct flavor and aroma. It is often sold in the form of compressed cakes, bricks or loose leaves. Pu-erh tea is known for its health benefits, including aiding digestion and reducing cholesterol levels. Some popular varieties include Shu Pu-erh and Sheng Pu-erh.
Quality
The quality of Chinese tea can vary significantly, even within a single type. Here are some indicators of good quality Chinese tea:
- Freshness: High-quality tea should be fresh and aromatic, with a bright color and no musty smell. Tea should be consumed within a reasonable amount of time after harvesting.
- Appearance: The leaves should be whole, unbroken, and even in size. The color of the leaves should be consistent with their type and grade.
- Taste: The taste should be pleasant and balanced, with no bitterness or astringency. The flavor should be consistent with the type of tea.
- Aroma: The aroma should be strong and pleasant, with no off-odors or mustiness.
Origin
Just like with any other food product, the origin of the tea can significantly affect the quality and taste. Different regions in China produce different types of tea, and some regions are known for producing higher quality tea than others. Here are some notable tea-producing regions in China:
- Fujian: Famous for producing oolong and black teas. Some of the most celebrated teas from this region include Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao.
- Anhui: Known for producing black tea, including the famous Keemun tea.
- Zhejiang: An important producer of green tea, including Dragonwell and Longjing tea.
- Yunnan: One of the few places in the world where Pu-erh tea is produced. The region is also known for producing high-quality black tea.
- Sichuan and Hunan: These regions produce a wide variety of teas, including black, green, and white teas.
When buying Chinese tea, it is important to check the origin to ensure that you are getting an authentic product. Some teas may be labeled as being from a particular region when they are actually from a different area. This is especially important when buying Pu-erh tea, as there are many counterfeit products on the market.
Tea Grades
Tea is usually graded based on the quality of the leaves and the way they are processed. Here is an overview of the common tea grades you will encounter when shopping for Chinese tea:
- Special Grade: The highest quality tea, made from the finest leaves and processed with care. These teas are usually hand-picked and have a delicate aroma and smooth flavor.
- First Grade: High-quality tea, made from a selection of fine leaves. These teas have a strong aroma and a rich flavor.
- Second Grade: Mid-grade tea, made from leaves of average quality. These teas have a mild flavor and aroma.
- Third Grade: Lower-quality tea, made from leaves of inferior quality. These teas have a bitter taste and a less pronounced aroma.
The tea grade should be indicated on the packaging or in the product description. It is important to keep in mind that the grading system may vary depending on the region and the type of tea.
Packaging
The packaging of tea can have a significant impact on the quality and freshness of the product. Here are some tips for selecting the right packaging:
- Loose Leaf Tea: Loose leaf tea is the best option for those who want to enjoy the full flavor and aroma of Chinese tea. The leaves should be stored in an airtight container or bag to protect them from moisture and air.
- Tea Bags: Tea bags are a convenient option, but they can sometimes be of lower quality than loose leaf tea. Look for tea bags that are made from whole leaves rather than tea dust.
- Cakes and Bricks: Pu-erh tea is often sold in the form of compressed cakes or bricks. Look for packaging that is airtight and sealed to protect the tea from moisture and air.
Price
The price of Chinese tea can vary significantly depending on the type, quality, and packaging. High-quality teas are usually more expensive than lower-quality teas, but the price should not be the only factor to consider. Some teas may be overpriced, while others may be of lower quality but sold at a high price due to their packaging or marketing.
When buying Chinese tea, it is important to do your research and compare prices from different sources. Online retailers and specialty tea shops may offer a wider selection and better prices than local retailers.
Conclusion
Buying Chinese tea can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. However, by understanding the different types of tea, the quality indicators, the origin, the tea grades, the packaging, and the price, you can make an informed decision and enjoy a delicious and authentic Chinese tea.
