Green Tea in Lebanon

Ayman

I am a big fan of drinking Green Tea for more than a year so far. It started with a gift of Chinese green tea from China then some more bags from India. Now I am out of tea. I couldn't find anything that seems genuine in the supermarket. For example Lipton and the likes are not real tea just flavors and color.

Genuine dried green tea leaves is what I am looking for. Black tea is fine but green has much more benefits and nicer flavor. Anyone knows a place that sells them?

I was thinking of planting my own tree but not sure where to get leaf buds too. Also not really sure if it can grow in Lebanon or needs a special environment.

Thanks for the help.

rtp

At work i drink Twinings green tea.

There are shops in lebanon that sell green tea and black tea, I think. Those small shops that sell peaunuts by the dozen and have these really odd stuff, not sure what they are called. They usually have these weird brands for soap and what not as well.
Sorry I wasn't more helpful but thats the best I can do, maybe somebody can point of some names and location.

scorpioxy

You probably need a dedicated tea shop. I saw a few opening these past few months, it seems to be a new Lebanese fad. I've been trying to remember where, but can't(one in Ashrafieh I think). I brought mine from India.

But i did find this while searching http://www.awan-tea.com

MrClass

You can find fresh green tea leafs in Spinneys. The tea they make tastes so awesome. Highly recommended. I remember a pack of leafs costs 2000L.L and can make up to 5 cups.

samer

I remember a pack of leafs costs 2000L.L and can make up to 5 cups.

Keep in mind that the same portion of tea can be re-used for at least 3 to 4 times (increase the brewing time).

I get my Ceylon black tea from Spinneys. I've also heard good things about Awan that scorpioxy referred to.

eurybaric

@Samer what do you mean increase the brewing time? I usually put like 2 teaspoons of dry leaves in a mug, add boiling water, and drink as it cools down, then perhaps add some more water over the rest (the leaves) and drink another. How do you do it yourself?

Green tea is awesome XD

samer

Each tea has an optimal temperature, which depends on how oxidized the leafs are and a brewing time, which increases as you re-use your leafs (up to four times). My recommendations:

Green tea
Temperature: 80 degrees (boil water and wait for about 2 minutes)
Brewing time: 1m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m (for the first…fourth brew)

Black tea
Temperature: 100 degrees (boiling water)
Brewing time: 1m, 1m, 1.5m, 1.5m

Preparation
The most important thing is that your leafs should be floating freely in the container. This is not the case with tea-bags so avoid them. Pour water over your tea following the timing guidelines above and then strain before drinking.

xterm

Tea is for sissies, coffee is for real cowboys.

Tarek

I start my day with a shot of jaggermeister ..it has all the tea I need

eurybaric

@xterm you made me go back to reading that whole thread again XD

@Tarek maaan that's intense hah! not even a beer first?!

@Samer I don't strain before drinking when it comes to green tea (Kinda wait for the leaves to fall down to the bottom hah).

Guys try adding a small peice ( 500LL sphere size) of ginger in the water while its boiling! the best tea i've had so far!!

of and by the way xterm, Coffee is for sissies, ginger is for real cowboys :P

mr-anderson

Ayman, you should try Benihanna art Japanese cuisine restaurant, it is in Hotel Commodore in Hamra.
After a delicious meal, they serve you the best tea i ever tasted, straight from Japan (A meal can cost about 30$ which includes miso soupe, salad, 2 pieces of grilled salmon, a main dish and tea. They cook it in front of you, while playing music with knifes and pepper containers, you should really see it to believe it!)
The interesting thing is that i saw a tea pack displayed in their vitrine at the entrance, so i think they could sell you some.

Ayman

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am trying Awan's Chinese green tea, as suggested by scorpioxy and it is of great taste and quality. I checked their full collection, they have really nice stuff at their place, any tea enthusiast should go for a visit.

Compared to the quality they offer they're not pricey at all. For example 100 grams of Chinese green tea is for 14000 L.L and that amount can last for a good time given that leaves can be reused.

They have so many other types with different origins, including black, and many flavored ones. The flavored ones are a bit higher in price, about 25 to 30,000.

I forgot to ask if they had the Japanese Matcha though, would like to try it some day.

And to contribute to the tradition, Tea Bags are for sissies Loose Tea is for real cowboys.

samer

Ayman, a friend of mine ships his tea from TeaLux. They do promotions every week and the prices are significantly lower than Awan for much a much better quality. It takes roughly 2 weeks to ship, and LibanPost does a good job getting them home to you at no additional charge. There are no customs fees associated with Tea.

Ayman

samer wroteAyman, a friend of mine ships his tea from TeaLux. They do promotions every week and the prices are significantly lower than Awan for much a much better quality. It takes roughly 2 weeks to ship, and LibanPost does a good job getting them home to you at no additional charge. There are no customs fees associated with Tea.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check them out then!