Easy Guide to Sencha, Japan’s Most Beloved Green Tea

What is Sencha tea?

Sencha is the most popular and beloved tea of Japan. Like most other types of Japanese tea, it is produced with the steamed method. Sencha tea leaves are traditionally rolled into needle shapes to preserve their scent and flavor. If you take a closer look, you might notice tiny pieces of broken leaves. Do not consider it as an imperfection. These fine particles add to the rich mouthfeel and luxurious velvety texture of the infusion.

What does Sencha taste like?

Sencha is mild, grassy (think of cooked spinach and artichokes), balanced right between salty and sweet. Some types will offer a hint of astringency.

Fukamushi Sencha

Fukamushi (deep-steamed) sencha deserves a special note here. No other tea can offer such a thick, full-bodied brew, mellow buttery flavor, and darker green color. During Fukamushi tea production, the tea leaves are steamed much longer than usual. Sometimes, they are deep steamed, broken, and then steamed again. That is why Fukamushi Sencha tea leaves have a very fine, almost dust-like texture. When properly steeped (just 30 seconds is enough), the tea produces a rich, characteristically cloudy infusion without a hint of bitterness.

Is Sencha better than Matcha?

Diehard Matcha fans who haven’t sampled Sencha tea often wonder what makes the latter so popular. Well, no two teas are made alike and there’s a lot to love about both these Japanese tea classics. Having said that, you should know the key differences between the two. Matcha is grown in the shade, whereas sunlight is crucial for the growth of high-quality Sencha green tea. As a result, Matcha is higher on caffeine and theanine, whereas Sencha ends up developing more antioxidants in the sun. So you’d get different health benefits from each tea. As far as flavor goes, Matcha is smooth, well-rounded, and savory. In comparison, you’ll find Sencha lighter, uplifting, and refreshing. Many prefer it for its interesting vegetal aftertaste.

Other Japanese tea varieties include Gyokuro, Hojicha, Genmaicha, Kukicha.

Where to buy the best Japanese Sencha tea online?

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	Sencha Green Tea A Japanese green tea with a smooth and grassy flavor. This green tea variety originates from Japan, made of leaves that are rolled and steamed to prevent them from oxidizing. It is the most popular tea variety in Japan, and is now appreciated by tea lovers across the world.	SHOP HERE
	Sencha Green Tea Eco Delicate, floral, minty. Sip our grassy, crisp Sencha green tea in our eco-friendly, biodegradable teabags. These organic green tea bags are filled with whole leaf Japanese-style green tea and they brew a stunning, lively cup.	SHOP HERE
	Eisai’s Choice Sencha Tea Citrus, creamy, light. A centering organic green tea with grassy flavor and a vibrant hue. Eisai's Choice Sencha's dark leaves denote the careful and mindful nurturing of true artisans. These stunning leaves are known to bring forth clarity and focus with each sip.	SHOP HERE
	Organic Sencha Steamed, Organic Green Tea. Sencha means "steamed tea" and differs from Chinese green teas, which are typically pan-fired. After the steaming process, Japanese Sencha green tea leaves are hand rolled, shaped, and dried. The steaming process creates a difference in the flavor between Chinese and Japanese green tea, with Japanese green tea having a more earthy, natural flavor, are more vibrant green in color and the tea leaves contain more vitamin 'C'. The Japanese usually drink loose leaf Sencha tea hot in the cooler months and usually chilled in the summer. Buy Organic Sencha tea with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of Organic Sencha green tea leaves to each cup of filtered or mineral water. Steep in approximately 180o F (just below boiling) water for under 2-3 minutes. If you steep for too long, you could get a bitter flavor. We invite you to do a taste test between Sencha green tea from Japan and Dragon Well from China and let us know your favorite!	SHOP HERE
	Sencha Leaf Tea Organic Sencha Tea is made from the first tender emerald green leaves of the tea plant. The leaves are harvested in early summer then steamed, twisted, and dried. While fresh and bright, its flavor is bittersweet with a hint of an ocean breeze, and has a clean finish.	SHOP HERE

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Isabelle Oland

Isabelle is a freelance writer, self-taught tea nerd, and tea blending enthusiast. She is a herbalist with a strong interest in Ayurveda. Each year Isabelle travels extensively, returning with tea samples from around the world. She is a big fan of handmade teaware and Japanese green teas.