Think for a moment; you are in a tea store having to choose among different varieties of Japanese tea. What would you pick? It’s quite hard to determine without any appropriate knowledge about the critical differences of all varieties. We grade its variant types depending upon the two main factors; quality and the plant’s parts utilized during their processing.
The majority of its varieties grow in the full light, for example, sencha variety, for instance, but some flourish in the shade. There are also substantial variations in both price and quality within broad categories of this tea.
So, here are the 7 most appreciated or famous varieties of Japanese tea and the potential features you should consider while buying your regular tea;
Table of Contents
7 Most Popular Types of Japanese Tea
1. GYOKURO
Green tea with shade-grown steam is among the admirable variety of Japanese teas. While the young leaves of the spring season grow and shade its plants from the sun for several weeks, it slows the development allowing; tea leaves more time to improve depth and flavor.
Its sun-deprived leaves are so high in chlorophyll that they describe their vivid green color. They also have a high amount of amino acids, most probably L-theanine that accounts for the ideally smooth, soft, and creamy flavor.
This elegant green tea creates a delightful aroma of freshly buttered greens or seaweed without any harshness or grassiness. For a soothing or energizing cup of tea, utilize lower water temperature, and enjoy multiple blends to get the most from this beautiful product.
2. MATCHA
The young green leaves are behind its production that grinds into a bright green powder. This Japanese tea is rich, complex, astringent, and aromatic in taste. Its fabulous tea leaves an alluring sweetness. If you traditionally make this tea, then it has a full-bodied flavor.
You can compare its taste to the first taste of dark chocolate and red wine. The green tea includes antioxidants that have several health benefits.
There are various grades of matcha; Ceremonial grade is the highest quality. For daily consumption, premium grade matcha is suitable. Mostly people use this green powder to deserts for flavoring purposes.
3. SENCHA TEA
Sencha is Japan’s most famous green tea with fresh green texture and taste. With a moderate to lower levels of caffeine, it can give a perfect boost without keeping you awake at night. The vibrant green or new favor, it also produces a refreshing iced tea and a perfect summer tea.
It can have a range of flavors involving spinach, brussel sprout, and even butternut notes. The most common sencha is unshaded or prepared from Yabukita cultivar.
You can find its Asian markets, grocery stores, tea shops, and purchase it from online shops. The associated health benefits are weight loss, improved blood flow, and enhanced brain functions.
4. GENMAICHA
The famous Japanese green tea, including brown rice kernels, once brewed, it has a light yellow hue and quite mild to drink. This green tea has a nutty flavor or subtle aroma of roasted rice that provides the balance in bitterness.
The traditional method of producing genmaicha is by using mocha rice, and that includes 100% mocha rice that has the highest quality. The fans of Japanese green teas should not miss this tea.
The fantastic health advantages include; cancer prevention, the presence of antioxidants to boost immunity, cardiovascular health, and relaxation.
5. GURICHA
The Japan’s Kyushu area is famous for making Guricha or Tamaryokucha. Farmers process it in a particular way to create this tea iconic coiled leaves. Due to its processing technique, its leaves are similar in appearance to the China’s Pan-fried teas.
It’s processing by steam, and due to this, Guricha tea holds many vitamins or nutrients that lost during processing. Famous for its consistently high quality, it also has an unforgettable or luxurious taste.
The delicate leaves should keep away from warming water, and its liquor must appear slightly yellowish after steeping. The resulted brew is warming or almost berry-like. A pleasant semi-sweet after taste accompanies the mouth-filling flavor.
Drinking Guricha will provide you several advantages like in the reduction of free-radical or avoid aging, improve your mood or mental functions.
6. HOJICHA
This Japanese green tea originated in Kyoto about 100 years ago. Unlike typical green teas, before going through steam, the hojicha leaves are roasted. The roasting process not only removes all bitterness but also provides this green tea; its signature earthy aroma, its unique smoky taste, and reddish-brown color.
Due to low caffeine value, hojicha is the ideal alternative to coffee for those searching for a warm or toasty drink in the afternoon or evening. This versatile green-powered is handy in recopies and gives a substitute for matcha green tea.
There are numerous advantages of Hojicha tea like it is high in antioxidant, a good stress reliever, a decaf alternative, and most importantly, this remarkable tea lowers the cholesterol level. In this way, it saves its users from heart diseases.
7. KUKICHA
Kikicha is a well-known Japanese tea prepared from the twigs or stems of the similar plants that green tea or black tea comes from. The other names are twig tea or three years tea because the branches or stems that utilize to do it have been in the tea plants for almost three years.
The kukicha tea has 0.5 to 1.00% caffeine content but has multiple properties with a lot of natural nutrients. It has a unique flavor, and it tastes creamy, sweet, and slightly nutty. The key factor behind its frequent usage is it has virtually no caffeine. So, you can drink this tea any time, even after dinner, without any sleep disturbance.
The significant health advantages are; an alkalizing drink neutralizes the acidity or helps in proper digestion of vegetables or grains, a rich source of vitamins or minerals and has high calcium content.
Where to buy Japanese Tea
You can find most of the teas above in any Japanese or Korean supermarkets. If you do not want to make a strip to the store, you can also shop it on Amazon. Amazon has a huge selection on Japanese Tea. You also can check out the buyers’ review to know about the quality before buying.