About two decades ago, tea experienced a resurgence in popularity across many Western countries, with numerous tea varieties being promoted for their potential health benefits. However, only in recent years has scientific research begun to fully recognize the remarkable health-promoting compounds naturally present in tea.
Among the hundreds of bioactive compounds found in green tea, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is widely regarded as the most important due to its powerful health-supporting properties. So, how can you choose tea with the highest EGCG content? Let’s take a closer look with Nang Mai, a leading Vietnam wholesale tea supplier.
Trong số hàng trăm hợp chất sinh học có trong trà xanh, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) được xem là hoạt chất quan trọng nhất nhờ những lợi ích nổi bật đối với sức khỏe. Vậy làm thế nào để lựa chọn loại trà có hàm lượng EGCG cao nhất? Hãy cùng tìm hiểu.
What is EGCG?
EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is a type of catechin – A naturally occurring polyphenol that is especially abundant in green tea leaves.
Besides tea, small amounts of EGCG can also be found in several fruits and vegetables, including: Apples, Avocados, Blackberries, Cranberries, Plums, Onions, Pecans, Hazelnuts and Various other fruits and vegetables.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that EGCG offers several important biological benefits, including:
- Powerful antioxidant activity
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Cytotoxic effects that may help inhibit certain abnormal cells
For these reasons, Vietnam green tea is considered one of the best natural sources of EGCG, helping support overall health and improve quality of life. However, not all types of tea contain the same amount of EGCG.
Which tea contains the highest EGCG?
At present, it is nearly impossible to determine the exact EGCG content of every individual tea product.
One reason is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require tea manufacturers to test or disclose EGCG levels on product labels. As a result, any EGCG values displayed on packaging may not accurately reflect the actual content.
Nevertheless, scientific research allows us to estimate the relative EGCG levels of different teas based on several important factors, including:
- Growing conditions
- Processing methods
- Harvest season
- The tea leaves selected for production
One study reported that total catechin content can range from 1,600 to 20,320 mg per 100 grams of dried tea leaves. This enormous variation demonstrates that not all teas provide the same level of health benefits.
Green tea is the richest natural source of EGCG
Among all traditional tea varieties, green tea generally contains the highest concentration of EGCG. By comparison:
- Oolong tea contains considerably less EGCG.
- Vietnam Black tea has an even lower EGCG content.
This difference occurs because both oolong and Vietnam Black tea undergo partial or complete oxidation during processing, which significantly reduces their natural catechin levels.
Tea cultivar also influences EGCG content
Not all tea plants share the same chemical composition.
Teas produced from Camellia sinensis var. sinensis generally contain more EGCG than those made from Camellia sinensis var. assamica.
- Sinensis is the dominant tea cultivar in China and Japan.
- Assamica is widely cultivated in India, Vietnam, and China’s Yunnan Province.
Shade-Grown tea typically contains more catechins
Several studies have shown that shade-grown teas tend to contain higher concentrations of catechins than teas grown under full sunlight.
Possible reasons include:
- Reduced exposure to direct sunlight.
- Increased nitrogen fertilization to stimulate plant growth.
- These growing conditions promote higher levels of:
- Catechins
- EGCG
- L-theanine
- Chlorophyll
Well-known shade-grown teas include: Gyokuro, Matcha tea, Kabusecha
Growing region and terroir also affect EGCG levels
Research has also found that tea grown in Zhejiang Province, China, generally contains higher catechin concentrations than tea produced in many other regions.
Zhejiang offers ideal climate, soil, and environmental conditions for cultivating Camellia sinensis, allowing producers to harvest tea leaves with exceptionally high nutritional value and naturally elevated levels of beneficial catechins such as EGCG.
Steamed tea may retain more catechins than pan-fired tea
The processing method plays a significant role in determining how much EGCG remains in tea leaves.
Steamed teas generally preserve more catechins than teas that are pan-fired at high temperatures. This is one reason why many Japanese green teas are often recognized for having higher catechin levels than many Chinese green teas.
That said, China also produces several renowned steamed green teas. A notable example is Enshi Yulu, a famous tea from Hubei Province. Unlike most Chinese green teas, Enshi Yulu is steamed rather than pan-fired, giving it a distinctive flavor profile while helping retain more of its natural catechins.
Learn more about the 7 best teas for relieving a sore throat and persistent cough.
Harvest season influences EGCG content
Not every tea harvest contains the same amount of EGCG. Research has shown that:
- Second-harvest teas generally contain higher catechin concentrations than the first spring harvest.
- First flush (spring) teas, however, are still highly prized because they offer:
- A delicate, fresh aroma
- A naturally sweet taste
- Less bitterness
Later harvests typically produce a stronger, richer flavor while containing higher levels of catechins, including EGCG.
The position of the tea leaf matters
The amount of EGCG also depends on which leaves are harvested. Generally speaking:
- Older leaves located near the bottom of the tea plant contain the lowest EGCG levels.
- The tea bud and the first three young leaves below the bud contain significantly higher concentrations of EGCG, making them the preferred choice for producing premium green tea.
Tea rich in EGCG is not necessarily expensive
Interestingly, teas with the highest EGCG content are not always the most expensive. Traditionally, tea has been valued based on: Aroma, Flavor, Leaf appearance, Tea energy (Qi or Cha Qi), rather than its catechin concentration.
As a result, many teas naturally rich in EGCG remain affordable and accessible to consumers.
We invite you to learn more about Vietnam black tea orthodox.
How to extract the maximum amount of EGCG when brewing tea
Catechins – especially EGCG – have a naturally bitter taste. This explains why some green teas are noticeably more astringent than others.
Certain premium teas, such as Gyokuro, are traditionally brewed at around 50°C (122°F) to preserve their delicate sweetness. However, brewing at this lower temperature extracts relatively little EGCG.
One scientific study suggested a two-step brewing method:
- First infusion: Brew at 50°C for 10 minutes to enjoy the tea’s delicate flavor.
- Second infusion: Brew the same leaves at 90°C for 10 minutes to extract most of the remaining EGCG.
Although effective, this method is not commonly used in everyday tea preparation. For most tea drinkers, the following brewing method provides an excellent balance between flavor and health benefits:
- Brew green tea at approximately 70°C (158°F) for 1–2 minutes.
- For subsequent infusions, use slightly hotter water and extend the steeping time to extract additional beneficial compounds.
- Alternatively, steep the leaves once for 5–10 minutes if maximizing catechin extraction is your priority.
In practice, if the total brewing time does not exceed one hour, increasing the water temperature alone will not significantly increase the total amount of EGCG extracted. However, it may make the tea noticeably more bitter and reduce the overall drinking experience.
Nang Mai – A trusted Vietnamese Matcha powder wholesaler and exporter
Nang Mai Company specializes in supplying premium-quality Vietnam matcha powder produced under strict food safety and quality standards. With many years of experience in the tea industry, we offer a diverse range of matcha and green tea products to meet various customer requirements, serving both wholesale buyers and international importers.
Trusted by partners around the world, we are committed to delivering consistent quality, competitive pricing, and reliable export services. Whether you are looking for bulk matcha powder, customized packaging, or long-term sourcing solutions, our experienced team is ready to assist you.
Contact Nang Mai today to learn more about our products, export capabilities, and partnership opportunities.
