Japanese Green Tea

An Introduction To Japanese Tea

Known for its richness and variation, the majority of Japanese Tea is Green Tea - which we have in stock at Char Teas. Tea has somewhat been ingrained in Japan's culture, where its drunk by those looking for a little kickstart to their day, and in a social situation. There are so many different teas that come from Japan (perhaps even over 100), each with their own health benefits!

Sencha

Sencha is the most popular tea in Japan, and with good reason. It is known to leave a vegetal, seaweedy, or grassy taste - depending on how the tea is brewed. Sencha means 'steamed', a key part of the processing. After being picked, the fresh tea leaves go through a quick steam, preventing oxidisation and keeping is the green colour and flavour. Sencha serves as a delicious afternoon and evening drink.

Matcha

A green tea made from finely powered dried tea leaves, Matcha Tea is a very popular Japanese tea. It has a small amount of caffeine in - enough to give you a little boost, but not so much to give you the rush that comes with coffee. This means it can be enjoyed as a refreshing afternoon drink, or even an evening brew.

Bancha

Bancha Green Tea is made from the tea leaves of the tea bush after the Sencha harvest and has a unique, mildly grassy flavour. These leaves are significantly larger and harder and therefore more resistant to insect attack, so the plant no longer protects them with high amounts of caffeine. Bancha is very digestible as a result. The tea is traditionally drunk with meals in Japan. It is considered a classic everyday tea.