Green tea: savor excellence at the best price

"In our Comptoir of green teas or online tea shop, you will discover a wide range of green tea at the best value for money, selected with passion."

AS

I am Arnaud Sion

Founder of Comptoir de Toamasina — Tea specialist

It was after a trip to China in 2006 that I fell in love with tea. But this passion goes back further: my maternal grandparents, Pierre and Bernadette, had a ritual of enjoying a cup of tea at 1:50 PM every day, right after the 1:00 PM news. I have been immersed in the world of tea since early childhood.

Freshness & lightness

Unoxidized green tea offers a fresher, softer vegetal flavor than black tea, providing a unique feeling of lightness in the cup.

History & passion

A selection born from a trip to China in 2006 and a childhood family tradition handed down by my grandparents.

Diversity of terroirs

Japan, China, India... Discover our range of classic, Grand Cru, pure, or delicately flavored green teas.

Where to buy quality green tea at the best price? This is often the first question asked when seeking an authentic brewing experience.

Because it undergoes no oxidation, unlike black tea, green tea delivers a fresh, vegetal, and smooth flavor. Its unique characteristics on the palate, combined with other flowers or fruits, make it even more delightful.

Banchan Japanese Green Tea Banchan Japanese Green Tea 2

Banchan Japanese Green Tea

TBJ
Discover the simple elegance of Bancha green tea flavor. This tea is a must-have for all tea lovers. It is a perfect tea for those who are new to the world of Japanese green teas, offering a mild and discreet flavor, but still marked by characteristic traits. Renowned for its excellent value for money and offers a taste that is both refreshing and...
€7.20
Chun Mee Green Tea Chun Mee Green Tea 2

Chun Mee Green Tea

TVCM
Discover  chun mee green tea , an  excellent tea with small twisted leaves and a flowery and deliciously refined taste . Immerse yourself in the world of chun mee green tea , a  slightly harsh tea with a hint of bitterness, grown in China. Succumb to the charm of chun mee tea, a delicate beverage with floral notes and a sweet aroma. Chun mee green tea  ,...
€6.65
Green Tea from India Jardin Nelliyampathy Green Tea from India Jardin Nelliyampathy 2

Green Tea from India Jardin Nelliyampathy

TVI
Our Indian green tea from the province of Kerala is a great tea, it offers a fine and fresh aroma with a slightly harsh touch which continues with woody notes.  Green tea potency: 7/10 Main notes: woody and fresh To savor: Morning and afternoon  It is at Comptoir de Toamasina that you will buy the best green tea from India at the best price per kilo. Our...
Out-of-Stock
€11.13
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Green Tea Sencha Selection Green Tea Sencha Selection 2

Green Tea Sencha Selection

TVSS
Discover the excellence of Sencha Sélection green tea, a green tea with generous leaves, offering an incomparable sensory experience . Immerse yourself in a world of subtle and delicate flavors, accentuated by slightly iodized notes that evoke the freshness of the sea. This high quality tea invites you on a unique taste journey, where each sip reveals the...
€4.52
Gunpowder Green Tea

Gunpowder Green Tea

Gunpowder Green Tea. Leaves rolled into small, shiny, and tight pearls (known as "gunpowder"). The tea is impressive for its freshness with a vegetal fragrance, a full-bodied and slightly smoky taste giving way to a golden, thirst-quenching liquor. Main notes: Vegetal and slightly smoky notes giving way to an intense and lingering freshness. Leaves:...
€7.00
Japanese Green Tea Genmaicha Japanese Green Tea Genmaicha 2

Japanese Green Tea Genmaicha

TVJG
Genmaïcha green tea is a blend of a delicious variety of tea from Japan and puffed rice, roasted brown rice for a unique aromatic power. Its unique and refreshing flavor makes it one of the most popular drinks in the land of the rising sun. This delicious tea every day and even use it in your culinary recipes. Discover all the secrets of this authentic...
€8.14

Online green tea shop: tea specialist in Lille

Le Comptoir de Toamasina offers a selection of Grand Cru teas from around the world. We take meticulous care in selecting the finest tea leaves to bring you a unique and soothing experience.

Comptoir's history: from vanilla to tea

Le Comptoir de Toamasina was created in March 2010 starting exclusively with Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar. Eager to rediscover the world of tea, Arnaud expanded the catalog in 2013 with an initial range of green teas from India. Step by step, our selection grew into a trusted reference.

Green tea is renowned for its numerous benefits, particularly its antioxidant and invigorating properties. Taste the finest green teas at Comptoir de Toamasina, a specialist shop in tea hunting, and set off on an adventure with unoxidized teas offering a unique texture and liquor to enjoy throughout the day.

Green tea preparation in the teapot at Comptoir de Toamasina

Japan vs China: two techniques, one plant

An ancient beverage that conquered the West, green tea is produced using two main methods that give the same plant (Camellia sinensis) completely different characteristics and flavors. The difference lies in the technique used to halt leaf oxidation.

After careful drying and rolling, oxidation is halted by dry heat (Chinese method) or moist steam heat (Japanese method).

Chinese method

Dry heat (in large woks or pans). Yields an infusion with slightly yellowish hues, featuring a sweet, floral flavor.

Japanese method

Moist heat (short steam exposure). Preserves chlorophyll and produces a bright green infusion with a vegetal, marine flavor.

The history and origin of green tea

Chinese legend tells that tea was born in 2737 BC when Emperor Shen Nung was resting under a tree and tasted leaves that fell into a bowl of boiling water prepared by his servants.

The first written record of tea usage dates back to the 3rd century BC. Under the Tang Dynasty, China popularized the use of this plant. Tea cultivation then spread to Japan in the early 9th century through Buddhist monks. In Europe, tea arrived in the early 17th century with the development of Eastern trade routes.

Green tea production: everything from A to Z

1. Cultivation

Done under sunny climates (India, Nepal) or shaded under cloths (Japan, to develop theanine and umami).

2. Harvesting

Meticulous picking, usually the terminal bud and the top two leaves. Spring harvests (First Flush) are the most prized.

3. Processing

Occurs within 24 hours. The key step is the thermal deactivation of the enzyme responsible for oxidation to preserve all chlorophyll.

Preparation guide: how to steep green tea properly?

Golden rules of steeping

  • Ideal dosage: 1 teaspoon (about 3g) per 250 ml of water.
  • Water temperature: Between 75°C and 85°C (167°F - 185°F). Never use boiling water, which scorches the leaves and causes bitterness.
  • Steeping time: 2 to 3 minutes for a delicate flavor, up to 4 minutes for extra body.
Green tea variety Dosage Temperature Steeping time
Sencha 3g / 250 ml 80°C (176°F) 1 to 3 min
Hojicha 10g / 250 ml 90°C - 100°C (194°F - 212°F) 30s to 2 min
Genmaicha 10g / 250 ml 80°C - 90°C (176°F - 194°F) 30 to 40s
Gyokuro (most precious) 10g / 250 ml 60°C (140°F) 90s

How to store green tea properly?

Green tea leaves are delicate. To preserve their freshness, keep your tea in an airtight container (metal tin or opaque glass jar), away from light, strong odors, and humidity, which remains its primary enemy.

Pastry and cocktails with Chef Arnaud

Green tea enters the kitchen too! In pastry, matcha or Sencha infusions blend wonderfully into macarons and eclairs. In mixology, Chef Arnaud uses a brewed green tea base to refresh gin and lemon cocktails.

L'Aurore: the documentary series on green tea

L'Aurore is a journey into the heart of the green tea universe, orchestrated by Le Comptoir de Toamasina and its founder Arnaud. Discover through video the art of cultivation, harvesting, and preparation.

Frequently asked questions

How did Arnaud Sion fall in love with green tea?
After a trip to China in 2006. This passion built upon a family ritual: his maternal grandparents Pierre and Bernadette enjoyed their daily cup of tea at 1:50 PM.
What is the difference between Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea?
The Chinese method halts oxidation using dry heat (wok), offering a more floral and yellowish infusion. The Japanese method uses moist heat (steam), yielding a green, vegetal infusion.
What water temperature should be used to steep green tea?
Water should be between 75°C and 85°C. Do not use boiling water to avoid scorching the leaves. For Gyokuro tea, the temperature drops down to 60°C.
What packaging options are available at Comptoir?
Our green teas are offered in 80g airtight discovery pouches or in economical bulk sizes by the kilo for regular tea lovers.