Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis, that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East. Recently, it has become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally consumed. Many varieties of green tea have been created in countries where it is grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, processing and harvesting time. Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, with some evidence suggesting regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer. The tea has also been useful for weight loss management.

Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang is home to the most famous of all teas, Xi Hu Longjing, as well as many other high-quality green teas.

• 龙井 Longjing

The most well-known of famous Chinese teas from Hangzhou, its name in Chinese means dragon well. It is pan-fired and has a distinctive flat appearance. Falsification of Longjing is very common, and most of the tea on the market is in fact produced in Sichuan ProvinceFact: date=August 2007 and hence not authentic Longjing.

• Hui Ming

Named after a temple in Zhejiang.

• Long Ding

A tea from Kaihua County known as Dragon Mountain.

• Hua Ding

A tea from Tiantai County and named after a peak in the Tiantai mountain range.

• Qing Ding

A tea from Tian Mu, also known as Green Top.

• Gunpowder

A popular tea also known as zhuchá. It originated in Zhejiang but is now grown elsewhere in China.

Jiangsu Province

• 碧螺春 Bi Luo Chun

A Chinese famous tea also known as Green Snail Spring, from Dong Ting. As with Longjing, falsification is common and most of the tea marketed under this name may, in fact, be grown in Sichuan.

• Rain Flower

A tea from Nanjing.

• Shui Xi Cui Bo

Hubei Province

• Yu Lu

A steamed tea known as Gyokuro (Jade Dew) made in the Japanese style.