Have you heard of the Japanese green tea called Tencha? Its name literally means "mortar tea" or "tea for grinding." "Ten"(碾) translates to "mortar" or "grind," and cha(茶), as you probably already know, means "tea." Why was Tencha given this name? It's simply because it is the … [Read more...] about Everything You Need to Know about Tencha (碾茶)
Types of Japanese Tea
CA278 – The sensational new tea from Kagoshima
CA278. It sounds like someone’s impossibly difficult password, right? Well, believe it or not, CA278 is the name of a Japanese tea that is creating buzz in the tea world. Today, I would like to introduce this new tea to you and tell you all about it - where it comes from, the … [Read more...] about CA278 – The sensational new tea from Kagoshima
What is Sayama Kaori (さやまかおり)?
A true tea-lover is always excited to try something new, try something that is going to blow his or her mind the minute the first sip of the tea touches the mouth. Sayama Kaori can have the same effect on people and that is why it is considered to be one of the most high-quality … [Read more...] about What is Sayama Kaori (さやまかおり)?
What is Saemidori (さえみどり)?
If you're a tea lover, you know how a good cup of tea can change your entire mood and relax your mind. Japanese tea has a wide range of varieties, and each one of them is known for its distinct features and taste. One such Japanese tea is known as Saemidori(さえみどり). In this blog, … [Read more...] about What is Saemidori (さえみどり)?
What is Organic Kagoshima Ceremonial Matcha? Explained in One Minute
This ceremonial Kagoshima organic matcha has been the top-selling product from GreenTea Merchant for years. We are making this product available to the consumer for the first time in a limited quantity. Select quality tencha tea leaves picked in the early spring are … [Read more...] about What is Organic Kagoshima Ceremonial Matcha? Explained in One Minute
What is Asamushi Cha（浅蒸し茶）
When green tea is the topic, it’s most likely that Japanese green tea is the one being discussed. While green tea originated in China, the Japanese have long embedded the import into their culture, making its identity more closely associated with their country. Of course, … [Read more...] about What is Asamushi Cha（浅蒸し茶）
What is Okumidori (おくみどり 奥緑)
Japanese tea and its certain varieties have been quite the heated topic of various discussions among the people. The taste, flavor, aroma, and captivating beauty leave the tea lovers always wanting for more. A lot of Japanese tea varieties exist but, in this blog, we will only … [Read more...] about What is Okumidori (おくみどり 奥緑)
What is Genmai Matcha (玄米抹茶)
So, if what you’re looking for in your tea is a sweet hit laced with umami but toned down into an easier-to-drink brew, many green tea aficionados would point you to Genmai Matcha. It’s basically Genmaicha, which is green tea mixed with roasted brown rice puffs, combined with a … [Read more...] about What is Genmai Matcha (玄米抹茶)
What is Fukamushi Cha?
Fukamushi Cha literally means “deep-steamed (fukamushi) tea (cha).” Fans of it favor its bolder, richer, and sweeter taste. This unique flavor is brought forth by steaming freshly harvested young tea leaves for about twice as long as the usual green tea steaming process before … [Read more...] about What is Fukamushi Cha?
What is Shincha? (新茶)
There's more to green tea than meets the eye. Green tea may have originated in China, with mentions of it dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), and China may remain to be the primary producer of green tea in the world, but green tea tends to be more closely associated … [Read more...] about What is Shincha? (新茶)
What is Kabusecha (かぶせ茶)
Kabusecha is a combined word for cover (kabuseru), and tea (cha), meaning covered tea. This type of green tea is a higher quality version of Sencha. Kabusecha has a mild astringent grass flavor but with a rich green tea and a little sweet taste. Let’s learn more about this … [Read more...] about What is Kabusecha (かぶせ茶)
What is Gyokuro? (玉露)
We would love to try many Japanese green teas, and now, let's know about a high-grade and sought-after Japanese green tea called Gyokuro! Gyokuro (玉露) in English is jade dew or jewel dew. Its color is darker than sencha. This tea leaf releases rich green color when infused. It … [Read more...] about What is Gyokuro? (玉露)
Difference between Hojicha (ほうじ茶) and Chinese Tea
Hojicha (ほうじ茶) refers to any roasted Japanese green tea, which means there are various types and grades of Hojicha, depending on what tea—or part of tea leaf—was chosen to toast. It is distinctive from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted in a porcelain pot over … [Read more...] about Difference between Hojicha (ほうじ茶) and Chinese Tea
What is Matcha (抹茶)
Matcha is distinctive powdered green tea made by fine grinding tea leaves using a stone or ball mill. It is quite popular due to its rich sweet flavor and vibrant green color, which makes it stand out among other types and liked by everyone. Matcha is pricier than other green … [Read more...] about What is Matcha (抹茶)
What is Ichibancha? (一番茶)
The complicated world of tea is complicated! Thankfully, however, as tea lovers, it's ultimately to our benefit. In fact, it seems hard to imagine that anything is more complicated than the plethora of teas available at our fingertips in our local grocery store right here, … [Read more...] about What is Ichibancha? (一番茶)
What is Benifuki (べにふうき)
Japan is famous for green tea as its 99% of tea production compromises green tea. Recently, Japan is also getting into other tea styles, such as black, oolong, and more, but the production stays at 1 % and still a rarity. Benifukki cultivar is mainly famous for black tea; … [Read more...] about What is Benifuki (べにふうき)
What is Yutaka Midori (ゆたかみどり)
Yutaka Midori ゆたかみどり means abundant green, is a Japanese green tea cultivar that ranks second after Yabukita in terms of cultivation land and popularity. It is mostly found in Kagoshima Prefecture, with a 30% cultivated area used for most of the green tea variety. This cultivar … [Read more...] about What is Yutaka Midori (ゆたかみどり)
What is Chiran Sencha (知覧煎茶)
Chiran Sencha refers to a Sencha plant grown in the Chiran region of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It is a high-grade tea cultivated using the highest rated cultivars such as Yabukita, Yutakamidori, and Asatsuyu. Chiran Sencha Tea is easy to brew and has a rich and complex flavor, … [Read more...] about What is Chiran Sencha (知覧煎茶)
What is Konacha (粉茶)
Konacha 粉茶 means powder tea or bud tea, a kind of Japanese green tea made up of tea buds, dust, and small leaves that were left behind during the processing of Sencha and Gyokuro. Although. It is named powdered tea, but it is not finely grounded into a powder form like Matcha; … [Read more...] about What is Konacha (粉茶)
What is Genmaicha (玄米茶)
Genmaicha translates to brown rice tea, and the word is derived from Japanese. It is a mix of Sencha leaves and roasted brown rice. Japanese also referred to this green tea as popcorn tea due to the popping sound during roasting and popped rice looks like popcorn. By adding … [Read more...] about What is Genmaicha (玄米茶)