Green Tea

Discover the green tea origins that trace back over 4,000 years and influence its diverse flavors and aroma compounds.

Written byAlice Chi Phung
| 1 min read
Google NewsGoogle News Preferred Source

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

With origins in China dating back to over 4,000 years ago, green tea stands as the world’s oldest plant-based drink. It may very well also be the most chemically complex. With over 600 identified aroma compounds, the actual flavor of your cup of green tea depends on where the tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) were grown, when they were harvested, and how those leaves were processed, among other factors. Different variants of green teas, such as longjing versus zhuchá versus sencha, will differ in aroma, flavor, and shade of green. However, several studies of this relaxing drink reveal some interesting findings. Have a looksee!

<








Alice Phung once had her sights set on an English degree, but eventually switched over to chemistry and hasn't looked back since. Read more by Alice Phung

About the author:


Meet the Author

Related Topics

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe