G-VN-044

Thai Nguyen Green

Trà Thái Nguyên

Pan-fired hook green, from Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

Green tea

Thai Nguyen Green is strongest on aroma intensity, finish length and nutty. Typical tasting words: chestnut, roasted barley, cut hay, sweet pea. Produced in Thái Nguyên province, regarded as the historic epicentre of Vietnamese green tea since the 1920s. A daily staple throughout northern Vietnam, traditionally served strong in small cups to guests as a greeting.

Also known as Tra Thai Nguyen, Che Thai Nguyen and Tan Cuong Green.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness3bitterness3astringency3umami2brightness2body3smoothness3aroma intensity4finish length4

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral0fruity0vegetal3marine0nutty4toasty3malty0honey1spicy0woody1earthy1smoky0creamy0citrus0stone fruit0tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis or var. assamica hybrid
Harvest: spring through autumn
Elevation: low
Oxidation: 1 to 3%
Roast: light
Leaf: curled
Price band: affordable
Availability: fairly common
Ageing: not for ageing
Forgiving to brew: 3 of 5
L-theanine: low

Made by: withering, then pan-firing, then rolling, then firing, then polishing.

Caffeine

A cup of Thai Nguyen Green carries a typical estimate of 45 mg of caffeine, within a range of 30 to 60 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	3 g	80 to 85 °C	90 s, 2 min, 3 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	4.5 g	80 to 85 °C	25 s, 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	6 to 10 hours

Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
morning
social
after_meal

Pairs with nuts, pastry and sweets. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.

Tasting words explained

chestnut