Where does the best green tea come from in Japan?
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Visit the other relative page: Quick Reference of Each Kind of TeaThe below charts will help you learn the background, agricultural method, flavor, and features of each grade in each kind of tea. More detailed information regarding the agricultural methods, features, and so on are explained in the below columns. 1) Matcha
2) Gyokuro
3) Sencha
Varieties of Japanese teaAt Hibiki-an we have a wide selection of many different kinds of top quality Japanese green tea. This page offers help for those who are new to Japanese green tea and would like to know which of our teas they might like the best. We hope this information about the different varieties of tea we offer here at Hibiki-an will help you to discover the perfect tea that is right for you. 1) Tea grown in the shade This type of green tea is carefully grown in the shade for twenty to thirty days before harvesting. This creates Theanine, an amino acid, which gives the tea a sweet and mellow taste. When brewed, this tea has a pure grassy green
color. - MatchaAfter harvest, tea leaves for Matcha go through (1) steaming, (2) drying, and (3) grinding with a stone mill. - GyokuroAfter harvest, tea
leaves for Gyokuro go through (1) steaming, (2) drying and kneading (crumpling), and (3) sorting. This processing is the same as Sencha. Kneading enables the tea leaves to extract the flavor and constituents into the water. - Gyokuro KariganeGyokuro Karigane is composed of stems selected from Gyokuro tea leaves. Karigane stems are less expensive than tea leaves because stems are a by-product of tea leaf production, though they have an excellent flavor. When brewed, Gyokuro Karigane has a grassy green color. If you are looking for a unique product or a good value then this tea is perfect for you. 2) Tea grown in full sunlightTea leaves grown in full sunlight have much of the healthful nutrient known as Catechin, which creates a refreshing aroma and bitter taste. When brewed, this tea has a golden yellow green color. - SenchaAfter harvest, tea leaves for Sencha go through, (1) steaming, (2) drying and kneading (crumpling), and (3) sorting. This processing is the same as Gyokuro. Kneading enables the tea leaves to extract the flavor and constituents into the water. (Sencha)Sencha has the perfect balance and harmony of refreshing aroma, mellow flavor, and bitter taste. When brewed, Sencha has a lovely golden yellow green color. (Sencha Fukamushi)Tea leaves of Sencha Fukamushi are steamed heavily for a longer time. This special steaming process causes the tea leaves of Sencha Fukamushi to split, so that the taste of the tea is stronger yet more mellow. When brewed, Sencha Fukamushi has a cloudy green color, because the constituents are more easily extracted in water and more of the tea dissolves into the water. (Sencha Karigane)Sencha Karigane is composed of stems selected from high grade Sencha tea leaves. Karigane contains much Teanin, which gives the tea a sweet and mellow taste. Karigane stems are less expensive than tea leaves because stems are a by-product of tea leaf production, though it has an excellent flavor. When brewed, Sencha Karigane has a yellow green color. If you are looking for a unique product or a good value then this tea is perfect for you. - Other teasEach unique tea in this category is not expensive and is light and mild in flavor, so that it is suitable for everyday use. These teas are made from Sencha or go through the same processing steps as Sencha. (Genmaicha)Genmaicha is a combination of Sencha tea leaves mixed with puffed brown rice, which adds a delicious popcorn and roasted grain flavor. And it contains less caffeine. When brewed, this tea has a golden yellow green color. Due to the rice, Genmaicha has the rich and hearty flavor of roasted grains or coffee. This also makes a good breakfast tea. (Genmaicha Matcha-iri)Genmaicha Matcha-iri is a combination of Genmaicha and Matcha. The Matcha powder lightly coats the Sencha leaves and rice, adding a mellow taste to Genmaicha’s delicious roasted flavor and makes the tea a more pure grassy green color. Due to the rice, this tea has the rich and hearty flavor of roasted grains or coffee but the freshness of Matcha. It is very well balanced, full flavored and smooth. (Houjicha)Houjicha is Sencha that has been additionally roasted, giving this tea its special roasted flavor. Houjicha contains much Catechin because the tea leaves are grown in full sunlight. And it contains very little caffeine so it is suitable even for a baby. When brewed, this tea is a transparent brown color and is somewhat similar in flavor to basic black tea such as English breakfast tea, Ceylon or Darjeeling, although it tastes much more fresh and healthy. (Houjicha Karigane)Houjicha Karigane is made from the stems of high grade tea leaves and roasted in the same way as
standard Houjicha. (Kukicha)Kukicha is composed of stems selected from low grade Sencha or pruned tea leaves. Therefore it is not as good as Karigane. (We, at Hibiki-an, don’t have Kukicha or Yanagi on our website.) (Yanagi)Yanagi is composed of pruned tea leaves that have been processed in the same way as Sencha, but is not as flavorful as Sencha. (We, at Hibiki-an, don’t have Kukicha or Yanagi on our website.) Hand Picked vs. Trimmed by Machine Today most tea leaves are trimmed by machine and
traditional hand picked Japanese tea is quite rarely grown and is therefore very precious. Organic vs. Conventionally-Grown Today the vast majority of tea is non-organic, also known as conventionally-grown. Only a small percentage (much less than one percent of all tea) is organic. In Japan, conventionally-grown teas are also strictly controlled in the use of pesticides by the Concentration Standard of Residual Agricultural Chemicals in Japan. The Concentration Standard of Residual Agricultural Chemicals, established in 2006 in Japan, allows only 0.01ppm of residual concentration. The criterion measure level is similar to the limits required in the European Union. So you can be assured that our conventionally-grown teas are also grown with minimal pesticides. Tea Bag vs. Loose Leaf Tea At Hibiki-an, we use only the highest
quality tea leaves in our tea bags. Each specially-designed nylon bag is filled with whole-leaf tea, so you can enjoy the elegant flavor of genuine Japanese tea in no time at all. The individual tea bags are much larger than standard paper tea bags - over 2 x 2 inches in a unique pyramid shape. Matcha Stick Packs vs. Regular Matcha Stick Packs are easy to carry anywhere, such as in your bag, so you can enjoy drinking genuine Matcha anywhere, anytime, freely. Of course, our Stick Packs also make it easy to make a cup of Matcha Latte at the café, or for making Matcha confections or other culinary items in the kitchen. Hibiki-an’s Limited Tea Schedule We, at Hibiki-an, offer a wide range of seasonal limited edition teas as well as our regular teas. They are all limited
quantity, and available only at specific times of the year. They will certainly deepen and enhance your green moment. Which teas are best for getting the most health benefits?Catechin contained in Japanese tea works to remove free radicals (activated oxygen), reduce cholesterol and fat, and has antibacterial, sterilizing, and antiviral properties. These are just some of the many positive effects of tea on health and wellbeing. (more info; Positive Effects of Japanese Green Tea) You can efficiently ingest Catechin with Sencha or Matcha. (more info; Natural Elements and Nutrients) Matcha is ground into powder and completely dissolved in water when brewed (prepared), therefore you drink the whole constituents of the tea leaves and ingest all of the healthful nutrients without throwing away the leaves as one does with other teas. (more info; Ingesting Beneficial Constituents) However, please note that it is most important that you drink teas you enjoy in order to keep it a regular habit! When you still wonder which tea to choose…We recommend you try our Superior grade tea at first. And when you find it to your liking, then try a higher grade such as Premium or Super Premium Grade. Regarding Matcha, we recommend you try our House Matcha or Matcha Superior at first. Our tea tasting sets are an excellent way to try a variety of our teas all at once: If you wnat to enjoy genuine Japanese tea without teapot at office, or on a trip, and so on, try Teabag items. If you like black tea, try Houjicha, Houjicha Karigane, or Organic Houjicha. If you like coffee or a roasted grain flavor, try Genmaicha or Genmaicha Matcha-iri ( Organic Genmaicha Matcha-iri). If you want brisk, refreshing tea with a yellow green color, try Sencha. If you want smooth and mellow sweet grassy green tea, try Gyokuro or Matcha. If you want tea low in caffeine, try Genmaicha, Houjicha, Houjicha Karigane, or Organic Houjicha. If you want tea to serve with sushi, try Sencha. If you want rich green tea with full flavor, try Matcha or Sencha Fukamushi. If you are looking for an inexpensive green tea, try our Sencha Karigane, Gyokuro Karigane Premium, or Gyokuro Karigane Superior. If you want healthy tea - ALL of our green teas are
very healthy and have a wide variety of vitamins and other nutrients. Please also visit our Tea Recipes page to learn how to use green tea to make delicious sweet desserts and other treats! Where is the best green tea in Japan?Due to the climate and geographical conditions, the top regions in Japan for producing high-quality green tea are Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Mie, and Kyoto. In particular, most of Japan's expensive premium teas are still from Uji, Kyoto.
Who makes the best Japanese green tea?6 Best Japanese Green Tea & Matcha Brands in Japan. Fukujuen Shop.. Ippodo Shop.. Giontsujiri Shop.. Giontsujiri Uji Gyokuro – Hand-Picked 48g.. Aikokuseicha Shop.. Aikokusencha.. ITOHKYUEMON Shop.. What is Japan's #1 green tea?Sencha is the most popular and widely-consumed Japanese green tea.
What is the highest grade of Japanese green tea?Gyokuro – is regarded as the highest grade of Japanese green tea. It is made only with the first flush leaf (see 'first flush') and its special processing results in a tea with a mild, sweet flavor and with fresh, flowery-green aroma. Gyokuro tea bushes are shaded from direct sunlight for 20 days prior to harvesting.
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