A Bright, Easy Cup of Green Tea With Lemon
Some teas ask you to slow down and study them. This one just wants to be poured. Bigelow's Lemon Green Tea pairs a clean, mellow green base with a wash of citrus, giving you a cup that tastes like a sunny morning without any fuss. It comes in individually wrapped bags, brews in a couple of minutes, and stays light enough to drink all day. If you have been looking for an approachable everyday green tea with lemon that doesn't taste grassy, bitter, or overly perfumed, this is a reliable place to land.
At LocoYoko, our Canadian roastery is built around coffee, but we keep a tight shelf of teas we'd actually drink ourselves. This blend earns its spot because it's genuinely good at being uncomplicated. You don't need a thermometer, a gooseneck kettle, or a timer app to get a satisfying result. Heat water, drop the bag, wait a moment, and you're set.
Who This Tea Is For
This is a great match if you're a casual tea drinker who wants flavour without bitterness, or a coffee person looking for a lighter pick-me-up between cups. It suits people easing into green tea for the first time, since the lemon softens the edge that puts some newcomers off. It's also handy for the office, the cottage, or travel, because bagged tea is forgiving and portable. If you prefer ceremonial-grade loose leaf and long, contemplative steeps, this isn't trying to be that. It's the dependable mug you reach for on a Tuesday afternoon.
What It Tastes Like
The flavour leans light and bright, exactly as you'd hope from the name. The green base is smooth and slightly toasty rather than vegetal or astringent, and the citrus rides on top as a fresh, brisk lemon lift instead of a sour punch. There's a gentle sweetness in the finish that keeps it from tasting thin. Think of it as the tea equivalent of a squeeze of lemon over something already balanced: clean, refreshing, and never heavy.
Because the citrus does so much of the aromatic work, this blend is forgiving even if you steep it a touch long. You won't get the harsh, dry bitterness that overbrewed plain green tea can develop. That tolerance is one reason the pairing of green tea and lemon has stayed popular for so long, and it's a big part of why this cup works so well as an everyday option.
How to Brew It Properly
Getting the most from this tea is genuinely simple, but a few real numbers make a difference. Green tea likes water below boiling, so aim for around 80 °C. If you don't have a variable kettle, bring water to a boil and let it sit for roughly two minutes before pouring, or stir in a small splash of cool water. Water that's too hot is the single most common reason a green cup turns bitter.
Use one tea bag per cup of about 240 ml, pour the hot water over it, and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Toward the shorter end you'll get a delicate, lighter brew; toward three minutes the colour and citrus deepen. Lift the bag out when the time is up rather than leaving it in the cup, since prolonged contact past the recommended window is what coaxes out astringency. Give the bag a gentle press against the side of the mug if you want a little more concentration, then set it aside. It's the same lower-temperature principle behind how to brew matcha tea well, even though this bagged infusion is a much quicker, no-whisk affair.
Iced and Cold Versions
This blend shines over ice. To brew iced, steep two bags in roughly 480 ml of hot water for the same 2 to 3 minutes, then pour the concentrate over a tall glass of ice and top with cold water. For an even smoother result with no chance of bitterness, try a cold brew: drop two bags into a jug of cold water, refrigerate for four to six hours, and remove the bags. The lemon character comes through beautifully cold, which makes this a natural choice for warm Canada summers.
Lemon, Honey, and Other Easy Variations
The blend already carries citrus, but it takes wonderfully to a few small additions if you like to customise. A spoon of honey turns it into a soothing honey lemon green tea, which is especially comforting when you're feeling run down or your throat is scratchy. The combination of green tea with lemon and honey is a long-standing home remedy for good reason: it's warming, lightly sweet, and easy to sip.
- Add a thin slice of fresh lemon to the mug for an extra citrus lift and a prettier cup.
- Stir in honey or a little maple syrup while the tea is still hot so it dissolves cleanly.
- Drop in a few coins of fresh ginger during the steep if you want a warming, slightly spicy edge, turning it into a quick lemon ginger green tea.
- Add fresh mint leaves and serve over ice for a crisp summer cooler.
- Float a few berries in an iced glass for colour and a hint of extra fruit.
One thing to keep in mind: green tea is best enjoyed without milk. Dairy mutes the delicate citrus and can clash with the tannins, so if you're a milk-tea fan, save that ritual for a black blend and let this one stay clear and bright.
When to Drink It and What to Eat With It
This is a daytime tea through and through. It's gentle enough for mid-morning, refreshing enough to carry you through the afternoon slump, and light enough that it won't sit heavily after a meal. It does contain caffeine, so it's a sensible alternative to a third coffee when you want a lift without the jolt, though most people prefer to wrap up their last cup a few hours before bed.
On the food side, the citrus makes it a flexible companion. It cuts nicely through richer bites and complements fresh, clean flavours.
- Lemon loaf, shortbread, or a simple butter cookie.
- Light breakfasts like yogurt with granola, toast, or a fruit bowl.
- Sushi, steamed dumplings, and other delicate Asian-inspired dishes.
- Grilled fish or chicken, where the lemon note echoes the plate.
- Cucumber sandwiches and fresh salads for an afternoon-tea feel.
Caffeine and Ingredients
This is a true green tea, and it contains caffeine, naturally present in the green tea leaves. The level is moderate and noticeably gentler than a cup of coffee, which is exactly why so many people use it as a softer source of daytime energy. If you're sensitive to caffeine or watching your intake later in the day, plan your cups for the morning and early afternoon.
The blend keeps things refreshingly straightforward: real green tea leaves carrying natural lemon flavour, packed in convenient bags. There's nothing exotic to decode here, which is part of the appeal. The leaves are blended and packed in Canada, and each bag is sealed individually so the citrus aroma stays fresh until the moment you tear it open. As always, check the on-pack ingredient panel if you have specific dietary needs or allergies.
How to Store It So It Stays Fresh
Tea is more delicate than it looks. Its biggest enemies are air, moisture, heat, light, and strong odours, all of which dull flavour over time. Keep your bags in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove and out of direct sunlight. An airtight container or tin is ideal, and it's worth keeping tea away from pungent neighbours like coffee or spices, since the leaves readily absorb surrounding smells.
The individually wrapped bags help enormously here, because each one stays protected until you use it. Stored properly, this blend will hold its bright character for a good long while. Just resist the urge to store tea in the fridge or freezer, where condensation can introduce the very moisture you're trying to avoid.
Why Buy From LocoYoko
You can find Bigelow in plenty of places, so here's what makes ordering this Bigelow green tea with lemon from us worthwhile. We're a Canadian roaster and tea shop shipping right across Canada, which means fast domestic delivery and no surprise cross-border fees or duties. We move stock quickly, so what lands on your doorstep is fresh rather than dusty from sitting on a shelf for a year.
On top of that, we keep it easy: free shipping on orders over $50 and a 30-day happiness guarantee. If something isn't right, we'll make it right. And because coffee is our main craft, it's simple to round out an order with a bag of beans, so your household has both the morning ritual and the lighter afternoon cup covered in one delivery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tea actually contain caffeine?
Yes. It's a genuine green tea, so it contains naturally occurring caffeine. The amount is moderate and gentler than coffee, which makes it a good daytime choice when you want a lift without an overpowering jolt.
What water temperature and steep time should I use?
Aim for water around 80 °C and steep for 2 to 3 minutes, using one bag per roughly 240 ml cup. If you don't have a variable kettle, let boiled water rest for about two minutes before pouring so it isn't scalding, which helps avoid bitterness.
Can I add milk to it?
It's best without milk. Dairy mutes the delicate citrus and can clash with green tea's tannins. Lemon, honey, or a little maple syrup are much better partners. A spoon of honey turns it into a comforting honey lemon cup.
Can I make it iced or as a cold brew?
Absolutely. For iced, steep two bags in about 480 ml of hot water, then pour over ice and top with cold water. For cold brew, steep two bags in a jug of cold water in the fridge for four to six hours, then remove the bags. Both methods come out smooth and refreshing.
Is this a good option for someone new to green tea?
Very much so. The lemon softens the edge that sometimes puts newcomers off plain green tea, and the blend stays smooth rather than grassy or bitter, even if you steep it slightly long. It's an easy, welcoming introduction.
How should I store the bags?
Keep them in a cool, dry cupboard away from heat, light, moisture, and strong-smelling foods, ideally in an airtight tin. The individually wrapped bags keep each serving fresh until you open it, so the citrus aroma stays vivid right up to brewing.