Happy Bank Holiday Monday! The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing through the trees, and I’ve got a fresh spring tea for you to try. This week I am reviewing What-Cha’s Vietnam ‘Fish Hook’ Green tea. All I’ve got to go on is the name of the tea (named for the thin hook shapes of the dried tea leaves) and tasting notes of grass and corn.
Let’s dive in.
This full tea review covers my tasting notes, the best brewing method for this delicate green tea, a little info about the region it was grown in, and where to buy it to try Vietnamese green tea for yourself.
What-Cha Vietnamese Green Tea at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Origin: Vietnam
- Flavour: Sweet vegetal notes and grass, no bitterness
This is an incredibly delicious and delicate green tea with sweet grassy notes and interesting complexity. It feels rejuvenating in a meditative way. It encourages you to slow down with every sip.
Full Review – Fish Hook Green Tea
- Type: Loose leaf
- Tea: Green tea (native Vietnamese varietal, Ta)
- Origin: Tan Cuong Village, Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam
- Flavour Notes: Sweet, smooth, light, melon, asparagus, bean sprouts, Asian herbs, microgreens
- Aroma: Fresh grass, white blossoms, spring greens, coriander, sea salt, stir-fry herbs
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: What-Cha Official Store
My small sampler of fish hook green tea is out of date by about a month. However, it is vacuum sealed and has been stored somewhere cool and dark. And although it’s true that green tea does taste best fresh (the longer it sits around, the more it oxidises) the date on the packet is only a guideline.
Long story short, this tea isn’t at its best… and it’s still one of the best I’ve reviewed all year.
The initial aroma of the leaves is strong. It’s grassy and fresh with notes of white blossoms and spring greens (possibly cabbage). There’s also a herby note that has a natural spice – in the same way cress or arugula leaves have that peppery bite – which reminds me of fresh coriander and earthy turmeric.
It brews into a soft lime green shade, exceptionally clear and bright. I’ve shown it in glass teacups but even in a solid ceramic mug, it’s crystal clear.
The flavour blew me away. It bathes your mouth in sweet vegetal notes, but it’s not cloying. Instead it’s smooth and bright. Further sips help me identify notes of melon (honeydew, but still a little green), asparagus, bean sprouts and microgreens.
It has a mix of sweet and savoury notes, but it feels very natural. Like how some vegetables have natural sweetness but we still consume them as savoury foods.
There’s no hint of corn or creaminess (sorry, What-Cha) but it does have a silky smooth texture and drying effect in the aftertaste.
All in all, exceptional. Truly exceptional. This is without a doubt one of my best tea purchases.
How to Brew Green Tea from Vietnam
Green tea requires lower water temperatures to prevent scalding the leaves (this introduces bitterness) and for this Vietnamese Fish Hook Green Tea, you should aim for 75°C. If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, just leave your water to cool for 10 minutes before adding the tea leaves.
Brew time should be 30 seconds to 45 seconds for your first cup, but when brewing the leaves for a second time, you can edge towards a minute and a half.
Don’t add any other ingredients – no milk, sugar, honey or lemon. Just let the natural flavours sing.
Why Buy Tea from What-Cha?
What-Cha are a small independent tea store in London who ship their teas across the UK. They source fine loose leaf from all around the world, including some unusual places. I’ve personally tried Argentinian tea from What-Cha before and I’ve got my eye on some Burmese tea that’s currently in their store too.
This Fish Hook Green Tea is from Vietnam, sourced directly from the farmer. What-Cha notes that it is from Tan Cuong Village, Vietnam, and after further digging I have found that this village is actually part of the most famous tea growing area in the entire Thai Nguyen province.
The leaves are given their name due to their appearance – when dry, they are thin and curl up like tiny fish hooks. What-Cha’s packaging was impeccable and all the leaves were in great shape – not at all broken – after transit to my home.
You can buy the tea in bags of 25g, 50g, 100g or 250g (if it’s in stock) at What-Cha. It’s the only place you can purchase this tea in the UK, to my knowledge.
Summary
Vietnam Fish Hook Green Tea is superb in flavour and aroma, it was a real treat to sip and I’m so glad I have plenty of leaves left after this review to sip it over the coming weeks. If you’re looking for a fresh green tea for spring, give it a try.
Tea Recommendation
Sweet vegetable notes in green tea is one of the best parts of spring. A few years ago I had the pleasure of reviewing Tea Famille Green Forest Green Tea, and experiencing its sweet pea and meadow grass flavours for myself.
