TEA INFO
MATCHA
Matcha, used for the tea ceremony, is super-fine powdered tea made from dried sugar beet tea (ten-cha).
There are two types of matcha – koi-cha (dark green in color) and usu-cha (bluish-green in color). It is made in “yakushi” (expert tea apothecaries) by blending ten-cha tea leaves of varying quality (all harvested in the same year). The blending ratio varies from yakushi to yakushi. Matcha is the closest of all Japanese teas to the original tea that was imported from China over 1200 years ago. Now it is often used as a food additive. It’s refreshing, sweet and bitter taste complements the sweetness of sugar and in recent years has become popular as an ice cream flavor.
GYOKURO
Gyokuro is produced using the “covered cultivation method” – In this process the entire tea garden is covered with reed screens for approximately 20 days prior to
harvesting to block out sunlight.
The covered cultivation method was first employed in 15th century.
This results in increased amino acid (L-Theanine) and reduced catechin (tannic acid) contents in tea leaves.
This gives gyokuro a unique, seaweed-like aroma and sweet taste.
SEN-CHA
Like Gyokuro, Sen-cha uses the covered cultivation method. Each tea tree is covered with black polypropylene net for 2 weeks before harvesting.
The lack of direct sunlight gives the tea leaves their distinctive dark green color and the right amount of sweetness and astringency.
Because of its light, easy, fresh bitter flavor, Sencha makes a perfect tea for thenovice Japanese tea drinker.
General instructions Matcha: 2g for 80ml
of water. Ideal temperature:
176–194 F (80–90 C).
Bring water to rolling boil and then lower it to recommended temperature. Use bamboo spoon to scoop tea. Use bamboo whisk to thicken liquid and create foam top.
Drink immediately.
General instructions for Gyokuro: 5g to 50ml of water.
Ideal temperature: 122–140 F (50–60 C).
Bring water to rolling boil and then lower it to recommended temperature. Let steep for 2 minutes.
Leaves can be re-used 2 times.
Also: Afterwards, you can eat
leaves with Ponzu, Wafu, or some other dressing/sauce.
General instructions for Sen-cha: 10g for 200ml of water.
Ideal temperature: 158–176 F (70–80 C).
Bring water to rolling boil and then lower it to recommended temperature.
Let steep for 1 minute.
Leaves can be re-used 2 times.
Also: Afterwards, you can eat
leaves with Ponzu, Wafu, or some other dressing/sauce.