Sencha
The cornerstone of Japanese tea
Sencha — considered to be the cornerstone of Japanese tea — has a unique, balanced flavor encompassing sweetness, umami, aroma, and astringency. It offers a pleasant experience of all characteristics of Japanese tea. One of the most consumed types of tea in Japan, sencha is ideal for relaxing and food pairing.
How to brew Sencha
Here, we will introduce the basic brewing method for Sencha.
Please refer to the product label for the optimal water temperature, water amount, and brewing time for each type of tea leaf.
#1 Measure
Spread leaves at bottom of teapot
One cup of sencha is approximately 5 grams.
Our sencha series bags consist of 5 grams of tea leaves.
#2 Pour hot water
Cool boiled water before pouring into teapot
Cool the hot water to 70°C (160°F) before use. Ideal water temperature and quantity are stated on tea bags.
Using 30-80 mg/l soft water will produce results closest to authentic Japanese tea.
#3 Extract
Slowly extract and watch tea leaves open
Watch the tea leaves open and enjoy the rising aroma while taking time to extract slowly, referring to the extraction time stated on the tea bag. There is no need to shake or mix the tea.
#4 Enjoy
A fresh impression and balanced flavor
Taste the balance of sweetness, umami, aroma, and astringency, and discover the flavor of your liking.
Sencha can be enjoyed up to the third infusion. Here are the suggested temperatures and steeping times for the second and third infusions:
- 2nd infusion: 80°C (175°F) for 30 seconds.
- 3rd infusion: 80°C (175°F) for 30 seconds.
Steaming tea leaves to make Sencha
The manufacturing method for Japanese tea is somewhat unique in that harvested tea leaves are steamed. This method steams tea leaves to prevent fermentation — a striking contrast from the fermenting methods for black tea and oolong tea.
Sencha, considered the foundation of Japanese tea, is categorized into several types based on steaming times.
- 20-40 sec. / Asamushi Sencha (Light Steamed)
- 40-60 sec. / Chumushi Sencha (Medium Steamed)
- over 60 sec. / Fukamushi Sencha (Deep Steamed)
As can be seen from signature food cultures such as sushi, the Japanese place great value and trust in the freshness of ingredients.
A highly-balanced flavor of sweetness, umami, aroma, and astringency
Sencha, befitting its reputation as the cornerstone of Japanese tea, offers an exceptional balance of sweetness, umami, aroma, and astringency — the principal flavors of Japanese tea.
It has slightly thick consistency with a clear yellow hue tnged with green water color.
With various aroma channels depending on the region of production and type, there are countless varieties, from products reminiscent of fresh new leaves to tea with distinct smoky aromas.
For daily relaxation or with meals
Sencha has a highly balanced flavor and no peculiar tastes, making it ideal for consumption during daily break times and with meals.
It consists of a good balance of theanine and catechin — helpful for the health of both soul and body — and a modest amount of caffeine (approximately 30% of coffee) and is enjoyed on a daily basis by many Japanese people.
Japan Made
All the products and materials we offer are made in Japan.