Sencha green tea pronounced "sen-chu" is the name of the most common of all Japanese green teas. Its name essentially means "common tea" and is found in most Japanese households. Sencha is definitely my favorite green tea and it's why I started with it first! It has a very light bitter taste along with a slight sweetness. Lower quality Sencha tea is called Bancha. Over seventy five percent of all tea grown and harvested on Japanese tea plantations is Sencha. This green tea is my favorite because of its sharpness and fresh qualities harmonized by a leaf of high consistency and deep emerald tint.
Sencha is the most widespread kind of green tea grown in Japan. It is made from the juvenile leaves of exposed plants. Over three quarters of all tea produced in Japanese tea gardens is Sencha green tea. The higher grades of Sencha are extensively available both in and outside of the borders of Japan. You can find Sencha in other countries like China. The majority of the Sencha grown in China is grown in particular for export to Japan because of its high popularity and demand.
This green tea is made of tightly rolled, needle-shaped leaves. It is collected in early spring after the leaves have developed their equilibrium of sweetness and astringency. True Sencha green tea is different in character from most Chinese-style green teas not only with its smooth, dark green look but its higher green notes compared to nuttier, vegetal notes. It goes well with seafood and is wonderful with chocolate.
Where Sencha Green Tea is Grown
Most arable localities of Japan grow a number of different varieties of Sencha and they are commonly named according to the kind of processing used. Needle leaf Sencha is processed in Shizuoka and in the Yame region of Fukuoka. In other areas, counting Kyushu, the comma-shaped leaf form is processed.
The taste, color and quality of Sencha is diverse, depending not only on the source but also season and leaf processing practices used. Later harvests of Sencha have more bitter and astringent qualities, a more robust flavor and a less well-defined aroma than those harvested earlier in the growing season. Sencha green tea is a high quality, daily tea. Flat, dark green leaves with a sugary aroma and taste. Moreover it is low in caffeine and has a high content of vitamin C.
Health Benefits and Preparation of Sencha Green Tea
Studies show Sencha green tea aids in detoxifying the body, regulates your blood sugar, and promotes healthy teeth, skin and bones. You can easily prepare it; just use 1 teaspoon of tea per 8oz of water. Heat water to 175-180 degrees and steep tea for 1 minute. 2oz of tea is equivalent to 25-30 teaspoons. Sencha green tea was once prepared by roasting but nowadays Sencha is steam treated before additional processing with hot-air drying and is then pan-fried as a final step. Sencha is also known as I-chi Ban Cha, or "the number one pick", and it is surely my choice of tea!
If you are interested like me in drinking this wonderful tea and don't know where to find it, you can purchase it here just follow this link Sencha Green Tea Store
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