Green tea is one of the world’s most beloved beverages, known for its delicate taste and health benefits. While origin, cultivation, and processing are often highlighted, one aspect that plays a crucial role in green tea’s quality and flavor is leaf shape. At Nam Son Group, we specialize in crafting and exporting premium green tea in a variety of leaf styles, each with its own unique character. Among the most popular are needle-shaped, pearl, and twisted green tea—and each form brings distinct sensory experiences to the cup.
Needle-Shaped Green Tea: Elegant and Delicate
Needle-shaped green tea is carefully hand-rolled or machine-rolled into long, thin shapes resembling pine needles. This style is often associated with high-end teas such as Shincha or Maofeng, prized for their visual beauty and light, sweet taste.
The shape allows for a slow and even infusion, releasing subtle layers of umami, floral, or vegetal notes. Needle-shaped green tea is typically harvested early in the season using tender buds and leaves, contributing to its smooth texture and mild astringency.
At Nam Son Group, our needle-shaped green teas are crafted using high-altitude leaves to preserve freshness and flavor—ideal for tea drinkers who appreciate elegance and subtle complexity.
Pearl Green Tea: Compact and Aromatic
Pearl green tea, also known as gunpowder tea, is rolled into small, tight balls resembling tiny pearls. This rolling method preserves the tea’s freshness and aroma, making it perfect for long-distance trade and storage.
When brewed, the pearls gently unfurl, releasing a bold, slightly smoky flavor with a refreshing edge. The compact shape leads to a stronger infusion, making pearl green tea suitable for multiple steeps and blends—often used in mint teas or flavored green tea products.
Nam Son Group’s pearl green tea is meticulously processed to ensure consistent rolling and minimal breakage, delivering a strong, clean taste that stands out in both retail and industrial applications.
Twisted Green Tea: Traditional and Versatile
Twisted green tea is one of the oldest and most traditional styles, where leaves are rolled into wiry, twisted strands. This form is commonly found in teas like Long Jing (Dragon Well) and various Vietnamese artisan teas.
Twisting increases surface area, allowing for faster extraction and a more intense aroma. The resulting flavor is often nutty, brisk, or grassy, with variations depending on terroir and processing style. Twisted green tea is versatile—suited for loose-leaf consumption, tea bags, or blending with other botanicals.
At Nam Son Group, we offer twisted green teas that balance traditional craftsmanship with modern consistency—ideal for customers seeking authentic flavor profiles.
Leaf Shape Matters: Choosing the Right Green Tea
Whether you prefer the finesse of needle-shaped leaves, the intensity of pearl green tea, or the classic charm of twisted strands, each shape reflects a different dimension of green tea. Leaf form influences everything from flavor strength and brewing time to shelf life and market appeal.
Nam Son Group proudly supplies all three styles in bulk and packaged formats, ensuring quality from farm to cup. Explore our full range of green teas—designed to meet the evolving tastes of global tea lovers.