Japanese Tea

The world of Japanese tea

is vast, and there are many different types of tea to explore. The most popular type of Japanese tea is green tea, which is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.

The history of green tea in Japan dates back to the 8th century, when Buddhist monks began importing it from China. The Japanese soon developed a taste for this refreshing beverage, which soon became an important part of Japanese cuisine.

Today, green tea is drunk in Japan by people of all ages and backgrounds. It can be enjoyed at traditional tea ceremonies or simply brewed at home for a relaxing moment.

With centuries of growth in the popularity of green tea in Japan, there is a wide variety of different green teas to enjoy. From the more familiar varieties like the mild and grassy Sencha and the rich and creamy Matcha, to lesser-known varieties like Genmaicha and Kukicha. Today, there is a Japanese green tea for every taste.

However you enjoy it, green tea is a delicious and healthy part of Japanese culture.

Different types of Japanese green tea

Green tea Sencha: refreshing and grassy

The most popular green tea in Japan is Sencha tea. It is made from whole tea leaves that are steamed and then rolled. This process creates a refreshing, grassy flavour that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

If you are drinking green tea for the first time, Sencha is a good start. It has a rounded taste that is not too bitter or astringent.

When buying sencha tea, look for leaves with a light green colour. The tea should have a fresh, grassy aroma. Avoid tea with a taste that is too bitter or astringent.

When brewed correctly, Sencha green tea has a pale yellow colour and a slightly sweet flavour. It is tastiest without sweetener or milk. It can be enjoyed alone or with a light meal.

(Ceremonial) Matcha tea

Another popular Japanese tea is matcha. Matcha is a fine powder made from finely ground green tea leaves. It has a bright green colour and a distinctive umami flavour. This ground tea is often used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, but can also be drunk as a delicious and healthy beverage.

Matcha tea is made from the same type of green tea leaves as Sencha. But the leaves are grown in the shade and then ground into a fine powder. The powder is then dissolved in hot water to make a clear green tea drink.

Matcha has a higher concentration of antioxidants than other teas and is considered a superfood. It is also a rich source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Matcha tea has been shown to boost metabolism.

Matcha tea tastes best when prepared with fresh spring water and served in a ceramic cup or bowl. When preparing matcha, it is important to use a bamboo whisk (chasen). This will prevent lumps and give you a smooth, frothy tea.

The Japanese tea ceremony.

The Japanese tea ceremony is an ancient tradition that is still practised today. The ceremony focuses on the preparation and enjoyment of green tea. It usually takes place in a peaceful setting such as a garden or a tea house.

The main elements of the Japanese tea ceremony are wabi (simplicity), sabi (elegance) and ichi-go ichi-e (the importance of the moment). The ceremony is a way to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.

If you want to know more about the Japanese tea ceremony, there are many books and websites to get you started.

Genmaicha: nutty and sweet

If you are looking for something completely different, try Genmaicha. This type of green tea is made with toasted brown rice. This gives it a nutty aroma and a slightly sweeter taste. Genmaicha is a good choice for beginner green teas as it is less bitter than other varieties.

Genmaicha is a good choice for novice green tea as it is less bitter than other varieties. Genmaicha tea also has a lower caffeine content than other teas. This makes it a good choice for those who are sensitive to this stimulant.

Green tea as a superfood

Green tea is not only delicious but also has many health benefits. Green tea has also been shown to improve mental alertness and increase metabolism.

This is why Japanese green tea, like matcha powder, is increasingly used as an ingredient in smoothies and yoghurts. Or in blends such as instant matcha latte.

Preparation of Japanese green tea:

The Japanese have devised very traditional ceremonies for some types of green tea. These are not just about brewing a tea, but also part of a meditation practice or even a lifestyle. In general, however, there are some pointers to always keep in mind when preparing green tea:

• First, the tea leaves are placed in a special container, such as a tea infuser or teapot.
• Hot water is then poured over the leaves and allowed to steep for a few minutes. It is important to note that green tea is not poured over boiling water. This will destroy many of its valuable ingredients.
• After steeping, the tea can be poured into cups and drunk. Some green teas can be brewed several times before the leaves lose their aroma. So it is worth experimenting to find the perfect brewing time for each type of tea.

At VehGro, you will only find green teas from organic cultivation.

Most of our organic green teas come from Kagoshima Prefecture, in the far south of Japan. Especially our Matcha organic tea. Kagoshima is a well-known tea region with ideal conditions for tea growing: rich volcanic soil, mild climate and plenty of sunshine.

Our promise:

• Outstanding Japanese green tea from organic cultivation.
• Constant laboratory tests for absolute food safety
• Full traceability, from the tea plant to the consumer
• Exclusive processing of organic green tea from Kagoshima, Kyoto and Shizuoka prefectures.
• Long-term contracts with local organic tea farmers to ensure consistent quality
• Further processing and packaging in certified factories
• Made in Japan, with the best possible freshness.