Vietnamese Thai Nguyen Green Tea
Young rice, fresh grass and a long, sweet aftertaste: the green tea of Vietnam's tea capital.
Thai Nguyen, in the hills north of Hanoi, is Vietnam's tea capital, and its green tea is pan-fired and gently rolled. The cup is brisk and clean, with young rice, fresh grass and a long, sweet aftertaste. Brewed in a glass teapot at 82°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 32 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 13.3 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Glass Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 180°F / 82°C |
| Target brew time | 2:00-3:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf green tea
- 240 g filtered water at 82°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 82°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 2:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
How strong is it?
We list about 32 mg for an 8 oz cup.
The young-rice note
The young-rice aroma is the signature of Thai Nguyen tea. If the cup tastes flat and toasty, lower the water temperature a few degrees to let the fresher, greener notes show.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Thai Nguyen, in the hills north of Hanoi, is Vietnam's tea capital, and its green tea is pan-fired and gently rolled. The cup is brisk and clean, with young rice, fresh grass and a long, sweet aftertaste. Brewed in a glass teapot at 82°C.
Origin & Story
Thai Nguyen is the center of the tea industry in Vietnam, with around 16,000 hectares of tea. Local farmers grew tea in its hills long before, but the organized industry dates from 1882, when French colonists brought modern techniques and machinery.
Its most celebrated green tea comes from Tan Cuong, one of only two Vietnamese teas, with Moc Chau Shan Tuyet, to be awarded a protected geographical indication. The status is limited to a handful of communes around Tan Cuong, and it originally required the tea to be made from the Trung Du cultivar. A protected geographical indication means that the name can be used only for tea grown and made in the named area.
Vietnamese green tea is made with a light touch: the leaves are pan-fired and rolled gently into crescents or twists, with minimal handling. Thai Nguyen tea is known for an aroma often described as young rice, with mild bitterness and a sweet aftertaste.
In the cup this one is brisk and clean: young rice, fresh grass and a long, sweet finish. Use water at about 82°C, 3 g of leaf for 240 ml in a glass teapot, and steep for two to three minutes.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 68/100 |
| Acidity | 40/100 |
| Bitterness | 28/100 |
| Body | 60/100 |
| Aroma | 83/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Vietnamese Thai Nguyen Green Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 32 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Vietnamese Thai Nguyen Green Tea?
Target 82°C (180°F).
How long should Vietnamese Thai Nguyen Green Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:00-3:00. Method: Glass Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
Why is Thai Nguyen famous for tea?
It is the center of Vietnam's tea industry, with around 16,000 hectares of tea, and its Tan Cuong green tea is one of only two Vietnamese teas with a protected geographical indication.
How is Vietnamese green tea made?
The leaves are pan-fired and rolled gently into crescents or twists, with minimal handling, which keeps the leaf's aroma intact.
Who should avoid Vietnamese Thai Nguyen Green Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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