Green tea

What it is

Heat applied early in processing limits oxidation. Steaming and pan-firing create different styles; green tea can suggest vegetables, grass, or toasted notes.

Names to look for

Sencha and Longjing are two names to explore. Compare them plain before choosing a fruit.

A fruit pairing to explore

Try orange with one green tea, then use the same amount of orange with another. Keep the tea-to-fruit ratio constant so you can notice what changes.

For your next glass

If fruit is the only thing you taste, reduce the juice in your next glass. Start with the tea maker’s brewing instructions, and adjust one variable at a time.

Pairing suggestions are editorial ideas, not the results of a comparative tasting. Use the brewing directions for your particular tea.