Here’s what Sencha green tea is all about:
Green tea has been used for centuries, originating in East Asia and gradually captivating the world with its health benefits and refreshing taste. There are many types of green tea. Among these, Sencha stands out for its accessibility, versatility, and unique taste. This Japanese staple offers a balance of health benefits, earthy flavors and a soothing experience.
What is Sencha Green Tea?
Sencha green tea is the most popular type of green tea in Japan, making up about 80% of all green tea production in the country. Known for its vibrant green color, grassy and slightly sweet undertones, sencha tea is usually made from the top parts of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), especially the young and tender leaves. Sencha differs from other types of green tea, such as matcha and gyokuro, in both production and taste.
Sencha green tea production is a meticulous process. After harvesting, the tea leaves are steamed to preserve the green color and fresh flavor and to prevent oxidation. Following steaming, the leaves are rolled and shaped, and dried to create the thin, cylindrical shapes that are characteristic of sencha tea. The steaming process distinguishes sencha from Chinese green tea, which is usually pan-fired rather than steamed, leading to a different flavor and aroma.
Brief History of Sencha Green Tea:
Green tea was first brought to Japan from China in the 8th century. Over time, the Japanese developed unique processing methods that made these green teas different from those imported from China. A specific form of sencha green tea began to gain popularity during the Edo period (1603-1868), an era that saw significant changes in Japanese tea culture. Previously, matcha (powdered green tea) was the popular style, associated with traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. However, Sencha’s popularity grew because it was a more accessible, informal tea that could be enjoyed without formality.
This change was partly due to a man named Nagatani Soen, a tea farmer who is credited with perfecting the steaming method for green tea in the early 18th century. His technique not only preserved the vibrant green color but also enhanced the flavor, creating what we now know as sencha green tea.
How does Sencha taste?
Sencha’s flavor is often described as refreshing and grassy with a hint of sweetness. Its flavor may vary depending on the brewing season, the quality of the tea leaves, and the brewing method. High-quality sencha, especially from the first flush or early harvest (known as “shincha”), usually has a more complex flavor with a delicate sweetness and a slightly buttery texture. The longer the leaves (a process called “fukamushi”), the richer and deeper the flavor, resulting in a green tea with a darker color and bolder flavor.
In general, sencha green tea is known for:
Umami: A savory flavor common to Japanese green tea.
Grassy, Vegetal Notes: Often expressed as reminiscent of freshly cut grass.
Mild Sweetness: A balance of vegetable flavor with mild, natural sweetness.
Astringency: A slightly dry, sharp sensation, which is not overpowering but adds a refreshing aspect.
What are the health benefits of sencha green tea?
Like other green teas, sencha is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that provide many health benefits.
Here are some of the top 5 benefits of Sencha green tea:
1. Rich in Antioxidants:
Sencha is loaded with catechins, a type of antioxidant that helps protect the body from free radicals, reduce inflammation, and prevent oxidative stress. One of the most powerful catechins found in sencha is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
2. Improves heart health:
Regular consumption of green tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels, improve blood flow, and improve heart health. The catechins in sencha help prevent plaque build-up in the arteries and also help reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Aids in Weight Management:
Sencha contains caffeine and catechins, which together can boost metabolism and increase fat burning, helping you lose weight naturally. Because of this, it can be a popular choice among those trying to lose weight.
4. Boosts Immune Function:
The antioxidants in sencha, along with its rich content of vitamin C, can support the immune system, helping the body fight off infections and diseases.
5. Improves skin health:
The antioxidants in sencha have also been shown to improve skin health by reducing the signs of aging, preventing acne and protecting the skin from sun damage.
How to make Sencha Green Tea ?
Making sencha green tea is also an art that requires attention to temperature and time. The delicate taste and aroma of tea can be easily lost. Can be bitter if cooked incorrectly.
What you need to make sencha green tea:
-High quality sencha tea leaves
– Small teapot
-Filtered water
– A cup of tea
5 Cooking Instructions:
1. Measure the leaves:
Use about 1-2 teaspoons of sencha tea leaves per cup.
2. Heat the water:
Sencha is best cooked at a lower temperature than boiling water, 70-80°C (158-176°F). Boiling water can spoil the leaves and make the tea taste bitter. If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the water and then let it cool for a minute or two.
3. Steep the tea:
Pour water over the tea leaves and let them steep for 1-2 minutes. The first steep is usually the shortest, as the leaves release most of their flavor in the early brew.
4. Pour and enjoy:
Once the tea has steeped, pour it into your cup. You can steep the same leaves several times, increasing the steeping time slightly each time.
5. Second Steeping:
For the second cooking, steep the leaves in slightly hot water for about 20-30 seconds. Sencha often reveals different flavors with each steep, so you can use the cooking time to find what you enjoy best.
Types of Sencha Green Tea:
1. Shincha:
Shincha Also known as new tea, Shincha is the first harvest of Sencha, usually in late April or early May. It has a mild, refreshing taste with natural sweetness.
2. Asamushi Sencha:
This is a lightly brewed sencha, resulting in a clear, light green tea with a delicate flavor.
3. Fukamushi Sencha:
A deep-steamed sencha, fukamushi has a richer, bolder flavor and darker color. The longer this type of sencha is cooked, the more broken the leaves are, creating a stronger flavor.
4. Chumushi Sencha:
A medium-roasted tea, Chumushi falls between Asamushi and Fukamushi in terms of steam duration and flavor, offering a balanced flavor and vibrant green color.
5. kabusecha:
This type of sencha is shaded for a short period before harvesting, resulting in a sweet, umami flavor due to increased chlorophyll and amino acid content in the tea.
Cultural Significance of Sencha:
In Japan, sencha is more than just a drink—it’s a daily ritual that brings people together. Unlike the formal tea ceremony associated with matcha, sencha is often enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. Family, friends and colleagues share cups of Sencha to share and open. Its accessibility and simplicity make it a comforting drink that resonates with Japanese culture.
Sencha also has a place in traditional Japanese art and literature. During the Edo period, sencha was favored by intellectuals, artists, and poets who valued tea for its refined simplicity. Many teahouses and gardens were established as spaces where people could enjoy sencha and reflect on art, nature and philosophy.
How to choose high-quality sencha green tea?
It is not only important to eat green tea, it is also very important to choose the quality of tea. Here are some options:
1. Color:
Look for tea leaves that are vibrant green in color, as this indicates freshness and quality.
2. Fragrance:
Fresh sencha should have a sweet, grassy aroma.
3. Texture:
High-quality sencha leaves are thin and needle-like in shape, a result of the rolling process.
4. Origin:
Some of Japan’s most famous tea-growing regions, such as Shizuoka, Uji, and Kagoshima, are known for producing excellent sencha.
Conclusion:
Sencha green tea is a delightful, versatile beverage that embodies Japanese culture and offers numerous health benefits. Its unique flavor profile, from herbal and vegetal to sweet and umami, makes it a favorite among tea lovers around the world. Whether you’re enjoying a cup on a quiet morning or sharing it with friends, Sencha offers a moment of peace and serenity.
