Japanese Tea & Matcha 101

Japanese Tea & Matcha 101

Are you new to Japanese Tea?

Are you new to Japanese Tea or Matcha? On this page, you can quickly and easily learn all about Japanese Tea and Matcha, and discover which tea you may like best.
This page gives a brief overview of the different types of tea and their flavors, health benefits, brewing instructions, and so on. Of course, this page will help not only those new to Japanese tea, but can serve as a quick reference for tea connoisseurs. Let's start the journey to your Green Moment!

What is Japanese Tea, Matcha?

Here are the major characteristics of loose leaf tea (Gyokuro, Sencha / Others), Tea Bags, and Matcha. You can quickly and easily learn the differences between the teas and discover which tea you may like best.

Gyokuro, Sencha / Others Tea Bags Matcha
Appearance of Tea Leaves and Water Color
Gyokuro,Sencha/Others photo Gyokuro,Sencha/Others photo
Tea Bags photo Tea Bags photo
Matcha photo Matcha photo
Flavor
Gyokuro
Mellow and sweet taste and elegant aroma
Sencha
Refreshing yet mellow aroma, and balance of sweet and Bitter taste
Genmaicha / Houjicha
Nutty roasted aroma
Matcha
Smooth and mellow, not at all bitter. Unique rich foamy texture.
Bright green color.
Health
Benefits
  • Catechin is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Theanine helps the body and mind to relax.
  • Caffeine and Theanine help you to concentrate.
Natural Elements and Nutrients in Each Tea
  • Same as on the left.
  • In addition, Matcha is ground into powder, therefore you can ingest all the healthful nutrients without throwing away leaves.

Learn more:Green Tea for Health

How it is Grown
Gyokuro
Tea leaves are shaded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest. Theanine, which gives the tea its mellow taste, is created by this process. When brewed, this tea has a pure grassy green color.
How it is Grown photo
Sencha
Tea leaves are grown in full sunlight. Catechin, which gives the tea its refreshing aroma and bitter taste, is created by this process, along with balance of refreshing yet mellow aroma, and sweet and bitter taste. When brewed, this tea has a golden yellow green color.
How it is Grown photo
Genmaicha / Houjicha
Genmaicha is Sencha mixed with roasted rice. Houjicha is produced by roasting Sencha.
organic logo image
These teas are also grown by Organic farming methods.
Matcha
Tea leaves are shaded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest, the same as Gyokuro. Theanine, which gives the tea its mellow taste is created by this process.
Ground into fine powder by stone mill.
Matcha images
organic logo image
Matcha is also grown by Organic farming methods.

Learn more: Four Seasons of Green Tea, Organic Tea Farm

Brewing / Preparation
Gyokuro, Sencha / Others
Gyokuro, Sencha / Others photo

Brew using Kyusu teapot. Then pour into Yunomi Teacup.

Brewing Instruction
Tea Bags
Gyokuro, Sencha / Others photo

Brew directly in Yunomi teacup and not using Kyusu teapot.

Brewing Instruction
Matcha
Gyokuro, Sencha / Others photo

Place Matcha in Matcha Bowl. Then pour hot water and whisk to create rich foam using Chasen Bamboo Whisk.

Matcha Preparation
Usage Scene
Gyokuro
Any special occasion, teatime, as aperitif, and so on
Sencha
In the morning, after any meal, teatime, and so on
Genmaicha / Houjicha
During meal, after meal, teatime, and so on

Also when you would like to concentrate.

Use high grade tea for special occasions and less expensive tea for everyday.

Tea Bags
Anywhere or any time, such as at the office, during travel, and so on.
Each specially-designed nylon bag is filled with whole-leaf Japanese tea, so you can enjoy the excellent flavor of high quality Japanese tea in no time at all.
Matcha
Any special occasion, in the morning, after any meal, teatime, and so on.

Also when you would like to concentrate. You can ingest all the healthful nutrients without throwing away leaves.

Use high grade Matcha for special occasions and less expensive Matcha for everyday.

Recommended Items
Gyokuro, Sencha / Others
Superior Tea Tasting Set photo
Organic Tea Tasting Set photo
Essential Tea Set photo

Quick Reference

Tea Bags
Tea Bags photo
Teabag Tasting Set-River photo
Matcha
Matcha Superior photo
Organic Matcha photo
House Matcha Stick Packs photo
HAKUJI Matcha Starter Set photo

Quick Reference

Customer’s Review Great introduction to Japanese green tea. Gives perspective from which to choose new teas to try. And very high quality tea, of course.
--- United States
This is the best way to discover what you like and don't when it comes to green tea. What's more enjoyable is discovering teas I've not tried before and discovering they are all great.
--- United States
Highly pleasant to the taste. I recommend this to those who are new to matcha and I will repurchase soon again. Also I want to mention that the package was very well wrapped and the shipping is very fast! 5 stars!
--- Iceland

Overview of Flavors and Price Range

This section will help you learn the different flavors and price range for each kind of Japanese tea.

Overview of Flavors and Price Range image

Other Useful and Interesting Information

If you would like more information about Japanese tea or to jump right into the joy of Japanese tea, each door is open to you! Your journey to your Green Moment has begun!

Are you new to Japanese Tea?

Are you new to Japanese Tea or Matcha? On this page, you can quickly and easily learn all about Japanese Tea and Matcha, and discover which tea you may like best. This page gives a brief overview of the different types of tea and their flavors, health benefits, brewing instructions, and so on. Of course, this page will help not only those new to Japanese tea, but can serve as a quick reference for tea connoisseurs. Let’s start the journey to your Green Moment!

What is Japanese Tea, Matcha?

Here are the major characteristics of loose leaf tea (Gyokuro, Sencha / Others), Tea Bags, and Matcha. You can quickly and easily learn the differences between the teas and discover which tea you may like best.

Gyokuro, Sencha / Others

Appearance of tea leaves and Water Color

Flavor

Gyokuro

Mellow and sweet taste and elegant aroma

Sencha

Refreshing yet mellow aroma, and balance of sweet and Bitter taste

Genmaicha / Houjicha

Nutty roasted aroma

Health Benefits

  • Catechin is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Theanine helps the body and mind to relax.
  • Caffeine and Theanine help you to concentrate.

Natural Elements and Nutrients in Each Tea

How it is Grown

Gyokuro

Tea leaves are shaded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest. Theanine, which gives the tea its mellow taste, is created by this process. When brewed, this tea has a pure grassy green color.

Sencha

Tea leaves are grown in full sunlight. Catechin, which gives the tea its refreshing aroma and bitter taste, is created by this process, along with balance of refreshing yet mellow aroma, and sweet and bitter taste. When brewed, this tea has a golden yellow green color.

Genmaicha / Houjicha

Genmaicha is Sencha mixed with roasted rice. Houjicha is produced by roasting Sencha.

These teas are also grown by Organic farming methods.

Brewing / Preparation

Gyokuro, Sencha / Others

Brew using Kyusu teapot. Then pour into Yunomi Teacup.

Brewing Instruction

Usage Scene

Gyokuro

Any special occasion, teatime, as aperitif, and so on

Sencha

In the morning, after any meal, teatime, and so on

Genmaicha / Houjicha

During meal, after meal, teatime, and so on

Also when you would like to concentrate.

Use high grade tea for special occasions and less expensive tea for everyday.

Recommended Items

Gyokuro, Sencha / Others
See more

Customer’s Review

Great introduction to Japanese green tea. Gives perspective from which to choose new teas to try. And very high quality tea, of course.
--- United States

Tea Bags

Appearance of tea leaves and Water Color

Flavor

Gyokuro

Mellow and sweet taste and elegant aroma

Sencha

Refreshing yet mellow aroma, and balance of sweet and Bitter taste

Genmaicha / Houjicha

Nutty roasted aroma

Health Benefits

  • Catechin is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Theanine helps the body and mind to relax.
  • Caffeine and Theanine help you to concentrate.

Natural Elements and Nutrients in Each Tea

How it is Grown

Gyokuro

Tea leaves are shaded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest. Theanine, which gives the tea its mellow taste, is created by this process. When brewed, this tea has a pure grassy green color.

Sencha

Tea leaves are grown in full sunlight. Catechin, which gives the tea its refreshing aroma and bitter taste, is created by this process, along with balance of refreshing yet mellow aroma, and sweet and bitter taste. When brewed, this tea has a golden yellow green color.

Genmaicha / Houjicha

Genmaicha is Sencha mixed with roasted rice. Houjicha is produced by roasting Sencha.

These teas are also grown by Organic farming methods.

Brewing / Preparation

Tea Bags

Brew directly in Yunomi teacup and not using Kyusu teapot.

Brewing Instruction

Usage Scene

Tea Bags

Anywhere or any time, such as at the office, during travel, and so on. Each specially-designed nylon bag is filled with whole-leaf Japanese tea, so you can enjoy the excellent flavor of high quality Japanese tea in no time at all.

Recommended Items

Tea Bags
See more

Customer’s Review

This is the best way to discover what you like and don't when it comes to green tea. What's more enjoyable is discovering teas I've not tried before and discovering they are all great.
--- United States

Matcha

Appearance of tea leaves and Water Color

Flavor

Matcha

Smooth and mellow, not at all bitter. Unique rich foamy texture.
Bright green color.

Health Benefits

  • Catechin is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Theanine helps the body and mind to relax.
  • Caffeine and Theanine help you to concentrate.
  • In addition, Matcha is ground into powder, therefore you can ingest all the healthful nutrients without throwing away leaves.

Natural Elements and Nutrients in Each Tea

How it is Grown

Matcha

Tea leaves are shaded from sunlight for 20 to 30 days before harvest, the same as Gyokuro. Theanine, which gives the tea its mellow taste is created by this process.
Ground into fine powder by stone mill.

Matcha is also grown by Organic farming methods.

Brewing / Preparation

Matcha

Place Matcha in Matcha Bowl. Then pour hot water and whisk to create rich foam using Chasen Bamboo Whisk.

Matcha Preparation

Usage Scene

Matcha

Any special occasion, in the morning, after any meal, teatime, and so on.

Also when you would like to concentrate. You can ingest all the healthful nutrients without throwing away leaves.

Use high grade Matcha for special occasions and less expensive Matcha for everyday.

Recommended Items

Matcha
See more

Customer’s Review

Highly pleasant to the taste. I recommend this to those who are new to matcha and I will repurchase soon again. Also I want to mention that the package was very well wrapped and the shipping is very fast! 5 stars!
--- Iceland

Overview of Flavors and Price Range

This section will help you learn the different flavors and price range for each kind of Japanese tea.

Other Useful and Interesting Information

If you would like more information about Japanese tea or to jump right into the joy of Japanese tea, each door is open to you! Your journey to your Green Moment has begun!