Green tea is one of the most beloved and consumed beverages globally, known for its delicate taste, numerous health benefits, and rich history. China is the birthplace of green tea, with an ancient tradition of tea cultivation and production that spans over 4,000 years. As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of tea, China offers a vast selection of green tea varieties, each with unique flavor profiles, processing methods, and health benefits.
Major Types of Green Tea
China’s green tea industry is diverse, offering an impressive variety of teas, each with its unique characteristics and processing methods. From delicate, fresh, and grassy flavors to more robust and toasty notes, there is a type of green tea for every preference. Below are some of the major types of green tea produced in China.
1. Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea
Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is one of China’s most famous and beloved green teas. It originates from the Zhejiang province, particularly from the West Lake area in Hangzhou. Longjing tea is known for its flat, sword-shaped leaves and its smooth, slightly sweet flavor profile. The tea leaves are pan-fired, which imparts a distinctive, toasted flavor that is both refreshing and mellow. Longjing is highly prized for its delicate aroma and smooth taste, making it one of the most sought-after green teas globally.
The high-quality Longjing tea leaves are handpicked and processed carefully to preserve their natural freshness. There are several grades of Longjing tea, with the highest grades being known for their superior flavor and exquisite fragrance.
2. Bi Luo Chun (Green Snail Spring) Tea
Bi Luo Chun, often referred to as “Green Snail Spring” tea, is a famous green tea from the Jiangsu province of China. It is named after the shape of its leaves, which are curled into small, spiral shapes, resembling snail shells. Bi Luo Chun is known for its fragrant aroma and sweet, floral taste with a slight fruity note.
The tea is grown in the Taihu Lake area, where the climate and soil contribute to the unique flavor profile of the tea. The leaves are picked early in the spring, giving the tea its fresh, light taste. Bi Luo Chun tea is hand-processed, ensuring that each leaf retains its natural flavors and health benefits.
3. Huangshan Mao Feng Tea
Huangshan Mao Feng is a high-quality green tea that hails from the Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) region in Anhui province. This tea is characterized by its delicate, downy, and fuzzy leaves that produce a light, sweet, and slightly grassy flavor. The name “Mao Feng” refers to the “hairy tips” of the tea leaves, which are picked during the early spring when the buds are tender and rich in flavor.
Huangshan Mao Feng tea is prized for its smooth taste and refreshing qualities, with a subtle, floral fragrance. It is typically processed by gently pan-frying the leaves, which helps preserve the natural aromas and flavors while preventing oxidation.
4. Sencha Tea
Sencha is a type of green tea that originates from China but has become more synonymous with Japan in recent years. However, there are Chinese producers who create their own unique variations of Sencha. This tea is steamed rather than pan-fried, which gives it a grassy, vegetal flavor profile with a fresh and slightly astringent taste. Sencha is often characterized by its vibrant green color and rich, umami flavor.
Sencha tea is usually made from top-quality leaves and processed to retain its natural flavors. In China, Sencha is often enjoyed as a daily tea due to its refreshing and energizing qualities.
5. Gunpowder Tea
Gunpowder tea is a type of green tea that is tightly rolled into small pellets that resemble gunpowder, hence its name. This tea originates from the Zhejiang province in China and is known for its bold, slightly smoky flavor. The leaves are rolled tightly to preserve their freshness, and when brewed, they unfurl to release a strong, slightly astringent taste.
Gunpowder tea is widely consumed in both China and other parts of the world, including the Middle East, where it is often used in traditional tea blends such as Moroccan mint tea. It is known for its high caffeine content, making it an excellent choice for an energizing tea.
6. Maojian Tea
Maojian tea is a highly regarded green tea from the Hunan and Henan provinces of China. The name “Maojian” means “hairy tip,” referring to the fine, downy hairs on the buds of the tea plant. Maojian tea has a fresh, vegetal flavor with a slight sweetness and a hint of floral notes. It is grown at higher altitudes, where the cool temperatures help the tea leaves retain their natural qualities.
This tea is prized for its clean taste, which is rich in antioxidants, making it a popular choice among health-conscious tea drinkers. Maojian tea is typically handpicked, ensuring that only the finest buds are selected for processing.
Why Import Green Tea from China
1. Superior Quality
China has a long-standing tradition of tea cultivation and processing, and its expertise in creating high-quality green tea is renowned worldwide. The country produces some of the best green tea varieties, with a range of flavors, aromas, and textures to suit different preferences. Chinese tea manufacturers prioritize quality control, ensuring that every batch of green tea meets rigorous standards. Many of these teas are grown in pristine environments with ideal climates, making them naturally rich in flavor and antioxidants.
Chinese green tea is handpicked and processed with great care to preserve its natural properties. From the high-quality leaves of Longjing and Bi Luo Chun to the delicately scented Huangshan Mao Feng, the attention to detail in Chinese tea production makes it a top choice for tea enthusiasts around the world.
2. Competitive Pricing
One of the key reasons businesses choose to import green tea from China is the competitive pricing. China has a vast tea industry that benefits from economies of scale, allowing manufacturers to produce high-quality tea at lower costs. The relatively low labor and production costs in China also help reduce the overall price of green tea, making it affordable for businesses and consumers alike.
By importing green tea from China, retailers and distributors can offer consumers high-quality teas at reasonable prices, increasing their competitiveness in the market. The ability to source quality tea at lower costs is a significant advantage for businesses looking to expand their product offerings without sacrificing quality.
3. Wide Variety of Green Tea Types
China offers a vast selection of green tea varieties, from the delicate and fragrant Longjing to the bold and smoky flavor of Gunpowder tea. The diversity of Chinese green tea allows businesses to cater to a wide range of customer preferences, ensuring that there is always something for every tea lover. Whether you are looking for premium, high-end teas or more affordable everyday options, China has a vast array of green tea types to choose from.
Chinese green tea manufacturers are also increasingly focusing on innovation, offering organic, flavored, and blended green teas that cater to changing consumer tastes. This wide variety ensures that businesses can diversify their product offerings and attract a larger customer base.
4. Advanced Production Methods
China has invested heavily in modernizing its tea production methods while still retaining traditional techniques. From the hand-picking of leaves to the use of advanced machinery for processing, Chinese tea manufacturers use a combination of ancient methods and cutting-edge technology to create high-quality green tea. These innovations help streamline production while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the tea.
Furthermore, Chinese green tea manufacturers are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices, including sustainable farming methods and environmentally conscious packaging. This commitment to sustainability makes Chinese green tea a great choice for businesses looking to cater to environmentally conscious consumers.
5. Strong Export Infrastructure
China has a well-established export infrastructure that facilitates the smooth and efficient shipping of goods to markets around the world. The country’s major ports, such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, serve as key hubs for the export of green tea, ensuring that shipments are timely and cost-effective. Additionally, many Chinese tea manufacturers have established strong relationships with international shipping companies, making the import process easier for businesses.
With a robust logistics network, businesses can rely on Chinese green tea manufacturers to fulfill orders efficiently and consistently, ensuring that products reach international markets on time.
10 Best Manufacturers in China
1. Tenfu Tea Company
Tenfu Tea Company is one of the largest and most well-known tea manufacturers in China, specializing in green tea, black tea, and herbal teas. The company’s commitment to high-quality products and sustainable farming practices has made it a leading player in the global tea industry.
- Location: Fujian, China
- Year Founded: 1993
- Manufacturing Capacity: Over 10,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification, HACCP
- MOQ: 100 kg
2. Hangzhou Longjing Tea Company
Hangzhou Longjing Tea Company is renowned for its production of Longjing tea, one of China’s most iconic green teas. The company has been producing Longjing tea for over a century, using traditional methods to preserve the flavor and quality of the tea.
- Location: Zhejiang, China
- Year Founded: 1900
- Manufacturing Capacity: 5,000 tons of Longjing tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 50 kg
3. China National Tea Corporation
China National Tea Corporation is a state-owned enterprise that produces a wide variety of teas, including green tea. The company is known for its premium quality products, which are exported to over 50 countries worldwide.
- Location: Beijing, China
- Year Founded: 1955
- Manufacturing Capacity: 15,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification, HACCP
- MOQ: 200 kg
4. Xiaguan Tea Group
Xiaguan Tea Group is a major tea manufacturer in China that produces a wide range of green teas. The company has built a reputation for its high-quality products, including premium green teas such as Bi Luo Chun and Maojian.
- Location: Yunnan, China
- Year Founded: 1940
- Manufacturing Capacity: 8,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 50 kg
5. Hunan Tea Company
Hunan Tea Company is a prominent producer of green tea in China, specializing in Maojian tea, which is highly sought after for its fresh and clean taste. The company’s commitment to quality control and sustainable farming practices makes it a trusted supplier of high-quality green tea.
- Location: Hunan, China
- Year Founded: 1980
- Manufacturing Capacity: 4,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 100 kg
6. Fujian Tea Group
Fujian Tea Group is a leading producer of green tea in China, known for its production of premium teas such as Longjing and Bi Luo Chun. The company uses traditional processing methods and sustainable farming practices to produce high-quality green teas.
- Location: Fujian, China
- Year Founded: 1985
- Manufacturing Capacity: 6,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 100 kg
7. Tianfu Tea Group
Tianfu Tea Group is a major tea manufacturer in China that specializes in the production of high-quality green tea and other traditional Chinese teas. The company has a long history of producing premium teas that are loved by tea enthusiasts worldwide.
- Location: Sichuan, China
- Year Founded: 1987
- Manufacturing Capacity: 5,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 200 kg
8. Anhui Tea Group
Anhui Tea Group is well-known for producing high-quality green teas, including Huangshan Mao Feng, which is highly regarded for its delicate flavor and aroma. The company adheres to strict quality control measures to ensure the best products.
- Location: Anhui, China
- Year Founded: 1990
- Manufacturing Capacity: 7,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 100 kg
9. Wuyi Tea Group
Wuyi Tea Group specializes in the production of green tea from the Wuyi Mountains, which is known for its rich history and high-quality teas. The company produces several varieties of green tea, including Wuyi Maojian.
- Location: Fujian, China
- Year Founded: 1980
- Manufacturing Capacity: 5,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 200 kg
10. Zhejiang Tea Company
Zhejiang Tea Company is a renowned manufacturer of green tea, including famous varieties such as Longjing and Xinyang Maojian. The company has a reputation for producing high-quality tea that adheres to traditional methods while incorporating modern processing technologies.
- Location: Zhejiang, China
- Year Founded: 1965
- Manufacturing Capacity: 10,000 tons of tea annually
- Certifications: ISO 9001, Organic Certification
- MOQ: 100 kg
