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Are you a little confused by all the different kinds of Japanese green teas out there? We were for quite a while. Here is a simple outline with the most popular green teas in Japan.
Japanese green teas:
Green tea is so well known across Japan that it is commonly referred to as "tea" and "Japanese tea".
The Japanese teas are commonly graded based on their quality and the parts of the tea bush that are used. There are large variations in the price and the quantity available. The very best Japanese green tea is said to come from the Uji region of Kyoto.
Gyokuro (Jewel Dew).Gyokuro is a fine green tea from Japan. Gyokuro's name refers to the pale green color of the infusion. This is considered the highest grade of tea available in Japan.
Matcha Japanese green teas (Rubbed Tea).
This tea is of high quality. It is a powdered green tea that is served in Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is a popular flavor of ice cream and other sweet goodies in Japan. However, Matcha tea may be too bitter for Westerners.
Sencha (Roasted Tea).
This is a very common Japanese green tea. The Sencha tea produced in the early months of harvest are prized by green tea lovers for its high vitamin content, sweetness, and superior flavor.
Adagio review:
Takes U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, and some International orders.
Tea Farm review: Has a wide variety which you can choose from. They have organic and flavored Japanese green teas. Teas are also classed by region. (Which really facilitates finding the tea that you're looking for.)
We mainly use The Tea Farm to find teas that are not always carried by other stores because of their uniqueness.
Takes U.S. and International orders.
Genmaicha (Popcorn Tea and Roasted Rice Tea).
The reason for the name, Roasted Rice Tea, is because Genmaicha is the Japanese name for green tea that is combined with
roasted brown rice. It is sometimes called popcorn tea because a few grain of rice occassionally pop during the roasting process and looks like popcorn.
This tea requires shade during the last few weeks prior to being picked. Because of this particular need, this tea is produced in very limited amounts. It has a more delicate flavor than Sencha.
Bancha (Common Tea).
It is a late season crop which results in a coarser and heavier tea, and goes well with good. Bancha is more widely available in the West.
Hojicha.
This tea is set apart from other Japanese green teas because it is roasted over charcoal. The brew is are lightly red in appearance and are less sharp to the taste. Is mostly used as an after-dinner tea. Because it is low in caffeine, it is all right to drink Hojicha before going to sleep.
Kukicha (Stalk Tea, Stick Tea, and Twig Tea).
This is a Japanese blend of green tea which is made of stems, stalks, and twigs. This particular tea has a nutty, slightly creamy flavor, with a slight taste of rooibos. It is made of four sorts of stems, stalks, and twigs from the Camellia Sinensis.
Kukicha is very low in caffeine, which makes it suitable for children.
Want to find out about Chinese green teas?
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