Japan prides itself on many subjects, but none resonates more on an international stage than Japanese tea. Any tea enthusiast will tell you that Japanese tea ranks as one of the best in the world. Tea is lovingly sown, harvested and processed by farmers who dedicate their lives to perfecting their art. Oftentimes, tea plantations are ancestral and go back several generations in the family.
Rows upon rows of tea grow in perfectly trimmed hedges like in this field in Kamakura.
There are many different types of green teas, all locally produced and sold throughout Japan. Of course, you can easily find imported teas at any supermarket, but why would you opt for those when you can get an authentic taste of Japan? Some regions of Japan are premiere producers of tea and are internationally recognized as heavy weights. Shizuoka, home to Mount Fuji, produces high quality green tea and is one of the most famous locations for tea production.
A tea plantation in Fukuoka prefecture, in the south of Japan.
Japan produces primarily green tea, although this term is very wide and encompasses several subtypes. Green tea can take on different tastes and appearances depending on the way it’s processed. A few of the most common types include:
- Sencha: Green tea in its purest form, this one tastes a little bit bitter and the leaves burns easily if the water is too hot. It has a spring green colour.
- Hojicha: The tea leaves are roasted until brown. This tea has a rich aroma and sweet taste. It has a yellowish-brown colour when brewed.
- Genmaicha: Roasted brown rice is added to sencha green tea to create a mix between the two previous teas. This is a low in caffeine option for avid tea drinkers.
- Matcha: This tea, most commonly used in tea ceremonies, is made of finely ground green tea leaves. Very bitter to the taste, matcha is best enjoyed in small quantities with traditional Japanese sweets to offset it.
Simple and elegant, matcha is the king of green teas.
Tea can be enjoyed in numerous ways, whether through drinking, attending a traditional tea ceremony, or taking a walk in a field of tea. Be sure to try Japanese green tea at least once while you’re in Japan, and enjoy the regional subtleties of this delectable drink. Of course, you’ll undoubtedly come across so many foods that are infused with green tea, you’ll be able to enjoy this type of tea in its several forms. Try pleasing your sweet tooth with a matcha roll cake, or a green tea Kit Kat bar. The options are endless because in Japan, everyone loves tea!
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