Sencha
Encyclopedia
Sencha is a Japan
ese green tea
, specifically one made without grinding the tea leaves. The word "sencha" means "decocted tea," referring to the method that the tea beverage is made from the dried tea leaves. This is as opposed, for example, to matcha
(抹茶), powdered Japanese green tea, in which case the green tea powder is mixed with hot water and therefore the leaf itself is included in the beverage.
and bancha. It is the most popular tea in Japan, and represents about 80 percent of the tea produced in Japan. The flavor depends upon the season and place where it is produced, but it is considered that the most delicious sencha is that from the first flush of the year, the shincha "new tea." The shincha season, depending upon the region of the plantation, is from early April to late May (around the 88th day after the spring equinox). It is considered that the ideal color of the sencha beverage is a greenish golden color. Depending upon the temperature of the water in which it is decocted, the flavor will be different, and this also is the appeal of sencha. With relatively not too hot water, it is relatively mellow; with hot water, it is more astringent.
Unground tea was brought from China after matcha
(抹茶, powdered green tea). Some varieties expand when steeped to resemble leaf vegetable greens
in smell, appearance, and taste.
The process by which sencha and other Japanese ryokucha (緑茶, green tea) is created differs from Chinese
green teas, which are initially pan-fired (and could probably, therefore, more accurately be called "roasted" teas). Japanese green tea is first steamed for between 15–20 seconds to prevent oxidization of the leaves. Then, the leaves are rolled, shaped, and dried. This step creates the customary thin cylindrical shape of the tea. Finally, the leaves are sorted and divided into differing quality groups.
The initial steaming step imparts a difference in the flavour between Chinese and Japanese green tea, with Japanese green tea having a more vegetal, almost grassy flavour (some taste seaweed-like). Infusions from sencha and other green teas that are steamed (like most common Japanese green teas) are also greener in colour and slightly more bitter than Chinese-style green teas.
Sencha in Japan is drunk hot in the cooler months and usually chilled in the summer months.
Like the formal art surrounding matcha
, there is a formal art surrounding sencha. That surrounding matcha is commonly known as the Japanese tea ceremony
in English, and is called "sadō" (茶道, the Way of Tea) in Japanese, while that surrounding sencha, although by rights it could also be referred to as a Japanese tea ceremony
or Way of Tea, is distinguished as Senchadō (煎茶道). Generally it involves the high-grade gyokuro
class of sencha.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese green tea
Green tea
Green tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally...
, specifically one made without grinding the tea leaves. The word "sencha" means "decocted tea," referring to the method that the tea beverage is made from the dried tea leaves. This is as opposed, for example, to matcha
Matcha
refers to finely-milled green tea, most popular in Japan. The cultural activity called the Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. In modern times, matcha has also come to be used to flavour and dye foods such as mochi and soba noodles, green tea ice cream...
(抹茶), powdered Japanese green tea, in which case the green tea powder is mixed with hot water and therefore the leaf itself is included in the beverage.
Brief
Among the types of Japanese green tea prepared by decoction, "sencha" is distinguished from such specific types as gyokuroGyokuro
Gyokuro is a fine and expensive type of green tea from Japan. It differs from the standard green tea known as sencha , because it is grown under the shade rather than the full sun. Another Japanese green tea that is shaded during growth is kabusecha , which differs from gyokuro in the length of...
and bancha. It is the most popular tea in Japan, and represents about 80 percent of the tea produced in Japan. The flavor depends upon the season and place where it is produced, but it is considered that the most delicious sencha is that from the first flush of the year, the shincha "new tea." The shincha season, depending upon the region of the plantation, is from early April to late May (around the 88th day after the spring equinox). It is considered that the ideal color of the sencha beverage is a greenish golden color. Depending upon the temperature of the water in which it is decocted, the flavor will be different, and this also is the appeal of sencha. With relatively not too hot water, it is relatively mellow; with hot water, it is more astringent.
Unground tea was brought from China after matcha
Matcha
refers to finely-milled green tea, most popular in Japan. The cultural activity called the Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. In modern times, matcha has also come to be used to flavour and dye foods such as mochi and soba noodles, green tea ice cream...
(抹茶, powdered green tea). Some varieties expand when steeped to resemble leaf vegetable greens
Greens
Greens may refer to:*Leaf vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, spring greens, winter greens, spinach, etc.-Politics:Supranational* Green politics* Green party, political parties adhering to Green politics* Global Greens...
in smell, appearance, and taste.
The process by which sencha and other Japanese ryokucha (緑茶, green tea) is created differs from Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
green teas, which are initially pan-fired (and could probably, therefore, more accurately be called "roasted" teas). Japanese green tea is first steamed for between 15–20 seconds to prevent oxidization of the leaves. Then, the leaves are rolled, shaped, and dried. This step creates the customary thin cylindrical shape of the tea. Finally, the leaves are sorted and divided into differing quality groups.
The initial steaming step imparts a difference in the flavour between Chinese and Japanese green tea, with Japanese green tea having a more vegetal, almost grassy flavour (some taste seaweed-like). Infusions from sencha and other green teas that are steamed (like most common Japanese green teas) are also greener in colour and slightly more bitter than Chinese-style green teas.
Sencha in Japan is drunk hot in the cooler months and usually chilled in the summer months.
Sencha Tea Ceremony
Senchadō: The Formal Art of Sencha AppreciationLike the formal art surrounding matcha
Matcha
refers to finely-milled green tea, most popular in Japan. The cultural activity called the Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. In modern times, matcha has also come to be used to flavour and dye foods such as mochi and soba noodles, green tea ice cream...
, there is a formal art surrounding sencha. That surrounding matcha is commonly known as the Japanese tea ceremony
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
in English, and is called "sadō" (茶道, the Way of Tea) in Japanese, while that surrounding sencha, although by rights it could also be referred to as a Japanese tea ceremony
Tea ceremony
A tea ceremony is a ritualised form of making tea. The term generally refers to either chayi Chinese tea ceremony, chado Japanese tea ceremony, tarye Korean tea ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is more well known, and was influenced by the Chinese tea ceremony during ancient and medieval times....
or Way of Tea, is distinguished as Senchadō (煎茶道). Generally it involves the high-grade gyokuro
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is a fine and expensive type of green tea from Japan. It differs from the standard green tea known as sencha , because it is grown under the shade rather than the full sun. Another Japanese green tea that is shaded during growth is kabusecha , which differs from gyokuro in the length of...
class of sencha.