Japanese Green Tea

Author: Cup of Green Tea
Source: Japanese Green Tea

Green tea was introduced from China to Japan, and today, nearly all teas produced in Japan are green teas. Green tea is the most popular tea drink in Japan, and is even sold in vending machines. Green tea harvest begins around the start of May every year in Japan.

There are many varieties of Japanese green tea. Japanese green tea can be divided into three grades: Gyokura, Sencha, and Bancha. Some of the most popular Japanese green tea varieties are:

• Gyokuro green tea, an expensive variety with a sweet flavor, considered to be the most superior variety.
• Sencha green tea, which is the most common Japanese green tea, used for everyday drinking.
• Bancha green tea is a more coarse grade of tea, yellow in color, with a full and refreshing flavor.
• Houjicha (Hojicha) is pan fried or oven roasted, and is aromatic with a roasted flavor and very little bitterness.
• Genmaicha is a roasted tea blend of rice and Bancha green tea. Because it has a roasted, full-bodied flavor, it is favored by many who don't like the taste of other green teas.
• Matcha is green tea powder, made of ground Gyoduro leaves. This is the green tea used in the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.