What is green tea?
Green tea is made from the leaves of tea trees called Camellia sinensis.
It is consumed and loved by people around the world, but is especially popular in Japan and China.
What makes green tea unique is its production process.
To make the tea, plucked tea leaves are steamed or roasted and dried without fermentation, which preserves their fresh flavor and green color.
Japanese green tea has several types, with the most famous being matcha and sencha.
Matcha is made through a special process and has an especially rich flavor among other types with a bright green color.
Sencha, on the other hand, is a more commonly consumed green tea with a well-balanced bitter taste and refreshing aroma.
In Japan, green tea is not only an everyday beverage, but also plays an important role in the cultural ritual of the tea ceremony.
Green tea has quite a long history, and its origin can be traced back to pre-era China.
It is believed to have been introduced to Japan around the 8th century by monks from China.
In recent years, the health benefits of green tea have been attracting attention as people become more health-conscious.
Varieties of green tea
You can find many types of green tea, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics.
Below are some typical types of Japanese green tea.
Matcha
A type of green tea that is steamed, dried, and finely ground with a stone mortar.
It is known for its rich, deep flavor and is commonly used in tea ceremonies, as well as in sweets and beverages.
Sencha
This type of green tea is most widely produced in Japan.
It is characterized by its refreshing aroma and astringent taste, which is achieved through the process of steaming, shaping, and drying.
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is a high-grade green tea that is made by shading the tea trees for several weeks before harvesting. This gives it a high amino acid level, creating a delicious flavor in the tea.
It is characterized by its sweet and deep flavor and has a richer taste than sencha.
Hojicha
Hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves over high heat, which produces a fragrant aroma.
It is low in caffeine and has a light flavor, making it an ideal drink to have with a meal.
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is made by mixing sencha with roasted brown rice and is known for its savory aroma and mild taste.
It is easy to pair with meals and is popular as a tea to be enjoyed daily.
How to make hot sencha
How to make hot sencha with tea leaves is explained below.
Firstly, you need to determine the amount of tea leaves.
Generally, about 2 to 3 grams (roughly 1 teaspoon) of tea leaves are used per serving, depending on the restaurant or cafe.
Next, prepare hot water.
The appropriate temperature of the water is usually about 70-80°C.
Water at a higher temperature will make the astringent taste too strong.
Place tea leaves in a kyusu (ceramic teapot) and pour hot water into it.
It is generally recommended to use about 150–200 ml of hot water per serving.
Steam for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute,
This will greatly affect the flavor of the tea.
Pour the tea into a teacup.
Make sure to pour it out to the last drop, as it is brewed thin at the beginning and thicker later.
How to drink Green Tea
Green tea should be enjoyed as is without sugar or spices, while relishing the aroma of the tea leaves.
When drinking hot green tea, be careful not to burn your mouth.