Rishi Organic Sencha

If you happen to be visiting any household in Japan, chances are that you will be served with green tea sencha. Being the most popular green tea in Japan, it accounts for as much as 75% of the tea produced in the country. This is one beverage that you can drink not only at tea time or after a meal but practically at any time throughout the day. It is also a tea for all seasons – you can drink it pipping hot during the deep cold of winter or as iced green tea in the scorching heat of summer.

Green tea sencha on Amazon.com

Amazon.com has in store a number of good quality sencha green tea. I list some of them here since they have the best customers’ reviews and ratings so that you check them out at Amazon.

Rishi Tea, Green Tea Sencha

SA Japanese Green Tea Sen Cha Tea, Loose Leaf

Two Leaves and a Bud Organic Orange Sencha Green Tea, Loose

The flavor of sencha

Sencha is easily recognizable by its appearance as the tea leaves are rolled into needle-looking shapes and the smell is refreshingly fragrant. It is yellowish-green in color though it partakes more of a greenish hue as compared to most Chinese green teas. Its taste is sweet but is more bitter than most Chinese green teas. It is mildly astringent and its caffeine content is moderately high.

Now, taste in tea is a personal thing. Whilst there are some tea drinkers who particularly like the delicious bitter taste in their tea which come from the catechins polyphenols, there are others who don’t. Here, we are not talking about the bitterness that result from over steeping the tea. But, if you don’t like it bitter, you may like to try orange flavored sencha green tea which will mask some of that bitter taste. This is a product by Two Leaves and a Bud which I have listed above. It is also very popular in making it into an iced green tea.

Drinking Sencha with food

Practically, it goes well with most foods, even the spicy ones. I have even heard of people drinking it with chocolate. Ordinarily, if you are drinking it during your tea time with cookies and biscuits, choose those which are not too sweet since there’s already some sweetness in the tea. Another thing you may like to do is to take at least the first few sips of the tea first without the cookies so that you can savor its full flavor. But, one delight which I indulge in once in a while is to enjoy my Sencha with seafood – grilled fish being my favorite.

The health benefits of Sencha

Sencha is rich in green tea vitamins or more accurately the antioxidants known as polyphenols catechins to which most of the health benefits of green tea are attributed. This is because it is fully exposed to the sun throughout its growing season and not under the shade before the harvest which may to some extent reduce the content of the polyphenol catechins. Unlike Chinese green tea which are pan fired, after the harvesting of sencha they are processed by steaming to stop the oxidation which preserves it antioxidant content.

Check out more on Sencha on Amazon

Brewing your sencha

The sencha product you buy would normally come with brewing instructions which would be best for you to follow. But, sometimes you might just like to experiment till you find the taste that you personally like best. Here are some hassle-free tips on making your hot and iced sencha.

I am pretty sure that you must have heard that the best kind of water in making tea is spring water. But in case it is not available, then the next best alternative is to use filtered tap water so that the flavor will not be too compromised. Most carbon filters can substantially remove the taste of chlorine in the water.

Generally, the recommended water temperature for brewing sencha is between 160F to 180F. Again, the specific product you purchase would have its own recommended temperature. The Rishi Tea sencha product, for example recommends a temperature of 180F. You can use a thermometer if you like. But a quick rule of thump you might want to try is simply to wait 3 minutes after the water has boiled before poring it over your sencha tea leaves.

Another thing to take note of is check the product instructions to see how many  teaspoon or tablespoon of the tea leaves to add to how many ounces of  hot water. The Rishi Tea sencha product recommends 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces of hot water. The SA Japanese green tea sencha product recommends adding 2 – 3 teaspoon to a 12-ounce teapot.

And take particular note of the steeping time. Now, this is important because you wouldn’t want to over steep your sencha lest it gets more bitter.

It is even easier to make iced sencha tea. Just remember to add in more tea leaves when you pour hot water over it in the usual way. Let the brew cool a little before poring it over ice. That’s it – simple, wasn’t it.

Ready for a cup of green tea sencha, click here to check them out on Amazon.

Related Posts:

1. Matcha Green Tea – Domatcha Green Tea, Organic Matcha
2. Bodum Assam Teapot – Bodum Assam Cast Iron Tea Press

DoMatcha Green Tea, Organic Matcha

DoMatcha green tea, organic matcha is a Japanese matcha green tea, one of the premier products of DoMatcha owned by the Andrews & George Company Ltd. The company now located in Vancouver, Canada has a long and distinguished history which dates back more than a century when it was first established in the Far East in 1894. But the story of DoMatcha began more recently when the company formed a partnership with its present supplier Shohokuen which is one of the most established and reputable matcha manufacturers in Japan.

Matcha is a high quality green tea in powdered form. The tea leaves are not rolled but instead processed into a form known as tencha before being grounded into powdered Matcha. The tea is made by mixing the powder in hot water and whisked into a frothy, vibrant rich green color. Since it is in powdered form, this is the nearest we can get to consuming the tea leaves as a whole. Matcha is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony. But, there are different grades of matcha: besides the ceremonial grades used in the ceremonies, there are also those of the culinary grade which are more suited to cooking and desserts.

What’s so special about the DoMatcha green tea, organic matcha

According to DoMatcha, the product is an authentic Japanese matcha green tea of ceremonial grade direct from the original matcha producing regions of Uji and Kyoto in Japan. Right from the cultivation, harvesting to the processing and packaging, much care is taken to ensure that the product is fresh and that the high content of antioxidants and nutrients are best preserved.

Harvesting and Processing

Just before the harvest, the tea plant is shaded from direct sunlight just as in the case of gyokuro. For this ceremonial grade of matcha product, only the first flush of youngest bud and top two leaves are chosen. Then, the stems and veins of the tea leaves are carefully removed so that the resulting beverage would be smooth and sweet. For the grinding into the powdered matcha, the slow process of grinding is applied with the use of traditional granite matcha grinding stones to ensure the “maximum protection of nutrients.”

Packaging

The product comes in a sealed tin and inside the tin, the matcha powder is further protected by a sealed foil bag. Indeed, for further protection, the DoMatcha supplier Shohokuen also includes anti-oxidation pads in the packaging to keep the matcha powder fresh even longer.

Organic Certification

According to the DoMatcha website, the product is certified organic by JONA (Japan Organic and Natural Foods Association), which adheres to more stringent regulations and standards than those imposed by the North American certification associations. “Those include the use of only natural fertilizers and the chemical-free cultivation of the tea plants for at least 3 years prior to certification.”

DoMatcha Green Tea, Organic Matcha Product Features & Description

* 1.06-ounce tin
* Certified organic by JONA
* Pure, premium and ceremonial grade tea

Buy from Amazon

DoMatcha Green Tea, Organic Matcha Reviews

There are many rave reviews for this matcha green tea product with a few saying it was the best matcha they’d tried. The tea was described as smooth and none at all bitter, with a vibrant green color. One commentator gave a tip that she drank it hot with milk and honey. However, two reviewers took a minority view. One mentioned, “Its certainly a good quality matcha but i found it lacks aroma and taste compared to other matchas i tried…” The other reviewer prefered the DoMatcha 2nd harvest matcha.

A few of the reviewers also mentioned about how they felt after consuming the product in terms of their mental clarity and alertness. One said, “I drink this every day and it makes me more alert and sharp of mind without the crash of caffeine and stimulants.”  Another compared it to drinking coffee and said that the product was better in giving a boost in energy and added that she felt “alert and attentive all day.”

Despite the many rave reviews, there are also negative ones – main issue being the price. Although they commented that it was “a great product” and that the “taste is good, but nothing special”, these same commentators felt that it was overpriced. One commented that the can was small and smaller than it appeared in the photo.

When it comes to a high-end ceremonial grade of matcha green tea or any premium green teas, for that matter - yes, it can be expensive. But, of course, there are alternatives that you can find on Amazon. Since there are so many 5-star ratings and great reviews received for this product, and especially when some have commented on how they actually felt after consuming the beverage, I do feel comfortable in recommending the DoMatcha Green Tea, Organic Matcha. Click here to learn more at Amazon.

The introduction of tea into Japan from China has often been credited to the Zen Buddhist priest Eisai in AD 1200. Today, Japanese green tea has evolved into a wide range and tea drinking has become very much a part of the Japanese culture. Most of the tea in Japan is grown in the Shizuoka Prefecture, contributing more than 40% of the country’s production. Other well known tea growing areas include the Fukuoka Prefecture and in the region of Uji in the Kyoto Prefecture. There are also some specialty green teas exclusively grown in certain parts of Japan.

Unlike Chinese green teas which are usually harvested only once a year, tea in Japan are harvested 3 or 4 times a year – the first harvest being of the best quality. Other factors that determine the grade and quality of the tea include the part of the tea plant from which the tea is derived, the way it is grown and prepared for harvesting and the manufacturing processes that go into the final product.

For ease of comprehension and reference, I have sought to categorize the wide variety of Japanese green teas into the 3 broad headings namely: 1. the 3 main types of Japanese green teas, 2. variations of the main types and 3. the remnants. But the teas listed here are by no means exhaustive. Catch the video I have in store for you near the end of this post.

1. The 3 main types of Japanese green teas

These are classified by the way they are cultivated and harvested and the particular harvest from which the leaves were picked, whether it is from the first or third harvest, for example.

Sencha

This is the most popular and commonly found tea in Japan. It is made from tea plants which are exposed to sunlight throughout the whole growing season and they are usually harvested 3 times a year. Green tea sencha can be regarded to be of sufficiently good quality. It tastes slightly astringent but with a tinge of sweetness and has a slight green color.

Gyokuro

Reputedly the finest grade of Japanese green tea.The special treatment in their cultivation is that they are covered from direct sunlight at least a couple of weeks before the harvest. This has the effect of bringing out the tea unique flavor and sweetness. But at the same time it reduces the polyphenols catechins content.

It is usually harvested 2 times a year. But unlike Sencha which can be from the first and second flush, Gyokuro is from the first flush – the earliest bud and leaves. The tea is smooth with a fuller sweet flavor but much less bitter than Sencha. It is also more expensive.

Bancha

This tea is actually a lower quality grade of Sencha since it from either from the third or fourth flush. When brewed the tea is yellowish-green but it has quite a full flavor. Its caffeine content is quite moderate.

2. Variations of the 3 main types of Japanese green tea

These arise as a result of variations in the manufacturing processes applied after the leaves are harvested.

Matcha

This is a high quality green tea in powdered form made from Gyokuro. But unlike Gyokuro, the tea leaves are not rolled but instead processed into a form known as tencha which is later grounded into powdered matcha green tea. Powdered Sencha is also available but they are of a lower grade.The tea is made by dissolving the powder in hot water and whisked into a vibrant rich green color and its taste is refreshingly sweet. Matcha is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony.

Genmaicha

This is a blend of either Sencha or Bancha with roasted brown rice. It is sometimes called popped rice tea because some of the grains of rice could be heard ‘popping’ during the processing. It tastes slightly grainy and toasty. One tip is that it serves as a good appetite suppressor – so, if you are on a weight loss diet, remember to check this out.

Hojicha

This is actually Bancha that has been pan fried or roasted to give off an unique earthly flavor and aroma. It has a low caffeine content and is therefore ideal for those who do not want too much caffeine in their cup of green tea.

Kabusecha

A variation of Sencha in that the tea is covered from the sunlight before harvest but for a shorter duration as compared to Gyokuro. Its caffeine content is also moderate.

3. Japanese green teas remnants

This category comprises collections of certain parts of the tea plant after the harvesting and processing of Gyokuro or Sencha.

Kukicha

Often referred to as stalk tea, kukicha is made from a combination of the stems, stalks and twigs of the tea plant together with some leaves. The brew is a light yellowish-green color and tastes mildly sweet. It is also low on caffeine and serves as another option for those watching their caffeine intake.

Mecha

This green tea is made from the leaf buds and tips collected from the early harvests. Its taste is bitter and astringent. It has a high caffeine content.  Often regarded as the equivalent to the best Sencha tea, its quality is graded in between Sencha and Gyokuro.

Konacha

This is the type of japanese green tea that you will find served in sushi restaurants. It is composed of the left over bits and pieces the so-called tea dusts after the processing of either Gyokuro or Sencha. Sometimes, also called Agari, it has a light taste and a refreshing aroma. After brewing the tea you can use a strainer if you don’t like having the dusts in your mouth.

Watch this video we have found for you on Youtube. Enjoy!

It is hoped that the above overview will give you a good working knowledge to start you off in selecting the type of Japanese green tea which you will find most enjoyable and satisfying. Although you can drink green tea at any time of the day, it is best to drink it after meals rather than on an empty stomach.