Ganesha Organic Green tea hails from the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. (KTERC,) the first certified organic tea garden in Nepal. This is a perfect tea for anyone who wants a light loose-leaf green tea with low caffeine. People who love high quality Japanese Gyokuro, Matcha and Chinese Longjing (Dragonwell) tea, will enjoy and appreciate this tea. However, the unique buttery sweet notes will turn anyone into a green tea lover.
The dry leaf is a medium dark greenish brown color with grey highlights and an earthy, grassy aroma. The first infusion is the pale golden color of chocolate flower which pales to a soft yellow green by the third infusion. The lovely floral aroma in the cup has hints of sweet pine smoke and kelp while the taste has a lingering buttery sweetness that evolves to a toasty macadamia nuttiness. While the sweetness evolves and lingers, the pine smoke and marine flavors remain consistent, varying only by degree and finishing with a very faint astringency.
The extreme care in processing is evident in the infused leaf which has very little breakage considering how tightly rolled it is in its dry state.
Ingredients: Artisan organic green tea
Origin: Nepal
Ganesha Green Organic tea is produced by the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. (KTERC). KTERC which is the first certified organic tea garden in Nepal that was established in 1984 by Mr. Deepak Prakash Baskota to rid his community of poverty. It remains a model social enterprise still today, that runs on cooperative infrastructure and is truly focused on the people and planet before profit.
The production process of our Ganesha Green Tea is quite simple yet a work of art. The process begins by carefully plucking only the finer 2 leaves and a bud from each tea bush. The fresh harvest of green leaves is then brought to the processing factory as soon as possible to reduce the time the tea leaves can react with oxygen. The leaves are placed in withering troughs for a short time to prepare it for enzymer machine. The dry heat from enzymer sucks out moisture from the tea leaves and helps in reducing the oxidation process which would otherwise turn the green leaves to become brown and turning them into black teas. This process also helps in bringing out the smokey and nutty flavors in the organic loose leaf green tea while softening it in appearance.
The soft withered leaves then go through a short rolling process which really helps in shaping the tea while bringing out all the essential oils. While in general, green teas do not go through any oxidation process, we let the rolled teas sit and cool down for about 15-20 mins before sending it to the final drying process. Allowing it to sit for a short time really makes a difference to making those buttery and toasty flavors that define this organic green tea. The decades of experience the tea maker needs to figure out the peaks in the flavor and drying time is an art form.
Brewing Instructions
Water Temperature: 165-175 degrees
Water Quality: Best with Spring Water
Amount of Leaf (per 6 fl oz water): 1 heaping tsp. (2.5-3 grams)
Steep Time: 2-3 minutes
Number of Infusions: 3
Ganesha Organic Green tea may be prepared in a standard teapot, or in your favorite mug or lidded gaiwan. For best results, we recommend that you pre-warm your vessel, and place 2.5 - 3 grams of leaf per 6 oz of liquid, before infusing with 165-175 degree water for up to 2-3 minutes. Ganesha Green likes a high leaf to water ratio which brings out its incredible sweetness. All green teas can be infused at least three times. Increase the time and temperature slightly with each subsequent infusion. Experimenting with your own temperatures and steeping times is encouraged. Cooler temperatures and shorter times yield more mellow, fruity elements, while hotter water and longer times produce more floral and full-bodied complexities. Always use the best-tasting water you can find, and adjust steeping times, quantity of leaves, and water temperature to your personal preferences.
