Tea is more than a hot drink or beverage in Japan because it is an integral part of Japanese culture and tradition, representing purity, harmony, respect, and tranquility. Research shows that Japan produces more than 20 different types of green tea. Each green tea type varies based on age, leaf processing, and harvesting technique, giving it a unique taste, color, and nutrient level.
Many people, including my relatives, friends, and colleagues, ask me: what’s the hype about Japanese green tea? Why do I drink it daily? What type of Japanese tea can benefit their physical and mental health? In today’s article, I will discuss the most popular types of Japanese green tea and their unique characteristics to help you make an informed decision and select tea based on your needs. Read on!
Matcha
Matcha is one of the oldest tea types in Japan. I have significant research on Matcha’s origin, history, and benefits. Several books and articles I have read about matcha tea show that Buddhist monks from China brought matcha tea to Japan during the 12th century.
Anyway, Japanese people make Matcha from leaves shaded for two to three weeks before the initial harvest. Next, they steam, devein, de-stem, and dry the leaves before grounding them into a fine powder. Japanese matcha green tea has two primary categories:
Ceremonial Grade Macha: It is one of the most expensive Japanese matcha green teas due to its highest quality grade. Japanese people use ceremonial grade matcha in their traditional tea ceremonies. In addition, this type of Japanese green tea has a bright, bitter taste with notes of sweetness.
Culinary Grade Matcha: Although culinary grade matcha is a slightly lower grade of Japanese green tea, Japanese households, and restaurants/café add it to smoothies, baked goods, lattes, and other dishes. Unlike ceremonial grade matcha, with a slightly vegetal and bitter taste, the one used for culinary purposes has a boulder and less nuanced flavor.
Matcha tea is a rich source of essential nutrients, including proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, to improve overall health. That’s why it is one of the most famous Japanese green teas consumed worldwide as part of natural/holistic healthcare.
Research shows that one gram or a half teaspoon of matcha tea contains 306 milligrams of protein, 272 milligrams of amino acids, and 50 milligrams of lipids. Matcha tea comprises 27 milligrams of potassium, 2.3 milligrams of magnesium, 4.2 milligrams of calcium, 0.17 milligrams of iron, and 0.62 milligrams of zinc.
That’s why I prefer and drink Matcha green tea daily. It helps me stay active and improves my mood and energy levels. Drinking matcha tea can help you lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and burn that stubborn fatty tissues to achieve a beautiful and muscular body.
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is another classic Japanese green tea. I love Genmaicha because it tastes better and helps me stay active throughout the day. The exciting thing about Genmaicha I want to share with you is that Japanese people make it by combining roasted rice and green tea leaves.
Previously, the Japanese would make Genmaicha from bancha leaves, but now they make it from sencha leaves. So, in addition to drinking matcha tea, you can incorporate Genmaicha into your daily routine, especially if you want to increase mental concentration, boost your metabolism, and strengthen your immunity. Genmaicha is a rich source of catechins, antioxidants, and flavonoids.
Sencha
Sencha is another popular Japanese green tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves. I admire the grassy and sweet flavor of Sencha tea because it tastes better than Matcha green tea. Its taste resembles other Japanese green teas, including Kabusecha and Genmaicha.
I recommend drinking Sencha green tea if you don’t like Matcha’s flavor. The good news is that you will receive the same minerals and antioxidants to improve your health. Sencha green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols to prevent cell damage, fight free radicals, and reduce cancer risk.
My mom drinks Sencha green tea daily. She has experienced dramatic weight loss within three months. Not only has Sencha green tea improved my mom’s digestion, but it has also balanced her metabolism. That’s why she has fewer episodes of gastrointestinal distress and does not feel bowel or bladder issues.
Kukicha
Kukicha, popular as twig tea, is another Japanese green tea made from young stems and twigs removed from the leaves. I love Kukicha because it has low caffeine levels, making it more enjoyable and flavorful with a pleasant aroma and mild sweetness.
Likewise, you can drink Kukicha tea any time of the day without worrying about caffeine. Kukicha is an excellent source of L-theanine, flavonoids, and antioxidants, improving overall health.
According to the Center for Integrative Nutrition, Kukicha green tea has powerful vitamins and antioxidants that improve the digestive system, allowing the stomach to digest food efficiently and quickly
The same study highlights that it also has excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that enhance the skin’s health, reducing the risk of rashes, redness, irritation, eczema, acne breakouts, etc.
Kabusecha
If you love a rich umami texture with a sweet flavor, I suggest going for Kabusecha, another Japanese green tea with high caffeine and L-theanine levels. Japanese follow a unique approach to making Kabusecha tea by shading the plants/leaves two weeks before harvesting.
The purpose is to increase L-theanine levels, a compound that produces stimulative effects on the brain and reduces stress and anxiety. So, if you have generalized anxiety or social anxiety, drinking Kabusecha green tea can help relieve the symptoms and help you feel good, refreshed, and tranquil.
Konacha
Konacha is one of the most famous Japanese green tea types made from Sencha leaves. Unlike Kabusecha, Konacha is less expensive because it is a byproduct of Sencha tea. The traditional Japanese approach to Sencha tea processing produces a byproduct called Konacha tea.
If you are on a budget, I suggest going for Konacha tea whether you want to lose weight, fight chronic diseases like hypertension or diabetes, or stimulate your cognitive activity.
Final Words
Japanese green tea is famous worldwide for its purity, refreshing flavour, gentle aroma, and moderate astringency. It is an integral part of people’s daily regimens to improve their well-being.
Whether you choose Matcha, Konacha, kukicha, or any other type of Japanese green tea, you will still be able to leverage all the health benefits. Please take a look at our shop that sells 100% pure Japanese green tea to make the most of it.
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