Japanese green tea is quite a rare charm across Asia, people treasure the aromatic scent of Japanese tea, this traditional drink can be enjoyed in any whether, especially those freezing cold mornings! We know it can be complicated to choose your favourite kind of green tea, not only that they come in different forms; green tea bags, powder and leaves, they also come from various places in Japan, each town has their own production of green tea, such familiar green tea can be classified as sencha, gyokuro and hojicha.

 

            Japanese green tea has a healing scent that originated from their roasting technique, if you want to enjoy the full aroma of green tea, we highly recommend Hojicha and Genmaicha, these two are the perfect combination for an ultimate bedtime relaxation, enjoy the fragant aroma, sweetness and taste of brown rice at the same time. If you are particular about your flavour of tea, we recommend you read the rest of the blog and play close attention to the tea production area.

 

 

 

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How to Choose Japanese Tea

Choosing Japanese tea can be quite difficult since there are many types of tea such as sencha, hojicha, matcha, and genmaicha. Each has its own unique flavour, and the taste of Japanese tea changes depending on the place of origin. We have made a quick guide to help you make your decision to find the perfect Japanese tea for you.

 

1. Choose by the characteristics of each type 

There are various types of Japanese tea depending on the brewing method and selection method, and each has completely different characteristics. We will introduce you to some Japanese tea so you can understand each characteristic and choose your favourite one!

Matcha

Matcha is a type of green tea made by taking young tea leaves and grinding them into a bright green powder. It is popular worldwide as an ingredient for beverages, sweets, and ice cream. It is also suitable for those that enjoy the rich taste of Japanese tea.

Sencha

Sencha is made by using heat (steaming and roasting) to pick raw tea leaves in a fresh state without fermenting the tea leaves. It has a good balance of sweetness and depth, and you can enjoy a refreshing aroma. The tea leaves of sencha are dark green, glossy, and thin. It is one of the most widely consumed teas and it accounts for about 80% of the consumption of Japanese tea.

Gyokuro

Gyokuro is cultivated under cover, which is not exposed to direct sunlight, about 20 days before tea picking, unlike sencha. It is a unique type of tea that is made from limiting the light source before picking so the amino acids increase and catechins decrease. Gyokuro is a sweet and umami-rich green tea with almost no catechin, which is a unique astringent ingredient.

Hojicha

Hojicha is made by roasting the tea leaves of bancha and sencha until they turn brown, and when heated, the tea leaves also turn brown and have a nice fragrance. Since it is low in caffeine and less irritating, even small children can drink Hojicha. 

 

2. Choose by production area

Japanese tea is produced all over the country, and the production area is often displayed on the packaging. The flavour of the tea also depends on the production area, here are some of the most common places.

Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture is the largest tea production area in Japan, producing over 40% of Japanese tea. It is also famous for developing a method for making deep-steamed sencha, which has a strong taste and less bitterness and astringency. 

Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima Prefecture boasts the second largest tea production area in Japan after Shizuoka Prefecture. Since the tea plantation is located on a flat surface, new tea is shipped quickly due to the warm climate. Teas from this region is recommended for those that enjoy drinking new and fresh tea.

Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto has long been producing high-quality tea. Uji tea in Kyoto is said to have originated from the cultivation techniques and tea-making methods that are widespread throughout the country. You can enjoy matcha, sencha, gyokuro and other tea varieties in Kyoto. They produce excellent high-quality tea that are shipped out to be sold across the world.

 

Characteristics of each type

• Tea leaves are suitable for those that enjoys a rich and raw flavour of tea, we recommend trying the general tea leaves that are brewed using a kyusu if you want to the enjoy the true beauty of Japanese tea. 
• Tea bag type is great if you prefer convenience. If you want to easily enjoy Japanese tea, you can find tea bags at almost any local convenience store. Since the tea leaves are individually wrapped, the freshness of the tea leaves does not easily deteriorate, and you can enjoy the tea in a fresh state at any time.
• Powdered instant type is usually packaged in an individual wrapping, packed with powdered tea. It dissolves quickly in hot or cold water, so you can easily make Japanese tea even in the morning when you have no time.

 

 

 

1. Itoen Oi Ocha Hojicha

 

 

Itoen Oi Ocha Hojicha is made by processing the stems and powder of tea leaves together. Making the tea very dense and full of flavour, as the result, the scent does not escape even when large volume of water is added. A distinctive characteristic of this tea is its mellow sweetness and the fresh aroma.

It is a premium made Japanese green tea that is packed with aromatic scent, known for its high quality despite the low price. It is a highly recommended green tea for serving customers in local Japanese restaurants.

• Powdered tea type
• Dense and full of flavour
• Mellow sweetness and fresh aroma
• Easy to consume  

 

Price: $12.20 USD

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2. Itoen Oi Ocha Instant Green Tea With Matcha

 

 

The classic Japanese green tea that can be enjoyed instantly, powdered type tea that can make up to 100 cups of watered green tea. This drink is highly recommended to be enjoyed with traditional Japanese meals like sushi and sashimi, it brings out the flavour of the raw fish, while capturing the earthy scent of the tea.

It is perfect if you are searching for something that is affordable while fully enjoying the experience of authentic Japanese green tea. Many people say that is has a subtle sweetness of matcha.

• Instant tea powder
• Make up to 100 cups
• Can be enjoyed with Japanese meals
• Subtle sweetness of matcha

 

Price: $6.40 USD

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3. Iyemon Fukujuen Instant Green Tea

 

 

Iyemon Fukujuen is one of the most famous Japanese tea bland, and its tea leaf are carefully selected by a Fukujuen tea master. Instant green tea is a type of powdered green tea which is to infuse and let them dry, easily dissolve in hot water and cold water.

Enjoy its refreshing and roasted rice flavour, making it one of the most fragrant tea leaves with a perfect blend of ingenuity to make the aroma even more remarkable. Super convenient in an instant form, enjoy a scent of Japanese green tea anywhere you want!

• Powdered tea type
• Easily dissolves in hot water
• Roasted rice flavour

 

Price: $24.75 USD

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4. Itoen Oi Ocha Premium Tea Bag Green Tea with Uji Matcha

 

 

Itoen’s premium tea bag is a high-quality nylon triangular tea bag, infused with Uji Matcha powder. Made with 100% stone milled Uji matcha and 100% green tea from Kyoto. Easily enjoy the flavour of fresh steeped tea without the hassle of loosing your tea bag in a cup of hot water.

It has a deep flavour of fresh green tea with luxurious premium Uji matcha to add a deep aromatic scent. High quality tea bag can make up to 3 cups of green tea.

• Premium tea bag
• Infused with Uji Matcha powder
• Deep flavour
• High-quality tea bags

 

Price: $14.95 USD

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5. Morihan Organic Uji Matcha

 

 

An authentic Japanese organic match from Uji, Kyoto. This Morihan organic matcha product is made from only organic tea leaves carefully selected in Uki region of Kyoto. Uji has been a special place for matcha sinced the very first match tea is originated from Uji in the 16^th century.

Morihan has been located in this special region of Uji and has manufactured high quality matcha for over 180 years. Enjoy the traditional morihan organic matcha as a straight hot or cold brewed match tea anytime of the day.

• Authentic Japanese tea from Uji, Kyoto
• Rich flavour
• Powdered type
• Can be enjoyed with Japanese meals

 

Price: $8.95 USD

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6. JA Kagoshima Chiran Tea

 

 

A perfect blend of JA Kagoshima tea made from finely selected, first-picked tea leaves grown in Chiran town. Enjoy the fresh fragrance of the new tea leaves, a perfect combination of astringency and umami at a reasonable price. Fully roasted in an aromatic scent with a perfect deep flavour of fresh green tea leaves.

Can be enjoyed as a cold and hot beverage, however due to its premium-quality leaves, it is highly recommended to be consumed with hot water, to ensure that the fresh Chiran tea scent does not escape. Compliments well with traditional Japanese dishes.

• Fresh fragrance of new tea leaves
• Combination of astringency and umami
• Deep flavour 
• Compliments well with traditional Japanese dishes.

 

 

 

7. Itoen Oi Ocha Premium Tea Bag Genmaicha with Uji Matcha

 

 

This sencha is made from carefully selected tea leaves grown on a hill side. The main cultivar of this Sencha is “Genmaicha” which represents a popular type of Japanese green tea. It is a perfect blend of Genmaicha and Uji Matcha from the famous town in Kyoto.

The tea leaves are picked during the best harvests of the year, to ensure that the flavour of the tea is at its maximal quality. The leaves are carefully selected and roasted for a long period of time to maintain its high-quality grade that cannot be compared with other tea. Premium-made despite its affordable price, can be enjoyed during anytime of the year.

• Genmaicha tea
• Rich in antioxidants
• Carefully roasted
• Tea bag type

 

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8. Itoen Aroma Spreading Tea Hojicha Roasted Green Tea Bag

 

 

Enjoy authentic Japanese Hojicha roasted green tea from Itoen Japan. Hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves using extremely strong heat. The unique roasting technique makes the tea acquire a distinctive light brown colour and a gentle aroma. Packaged in a convenient tea bag that can be used multiple times, the flavour stays fresh with strong tea fragrance that can be enjoyed with traditional Japanese meals.  

• Authentic Hojicha tea
• Unique roasting technique
• Has distinctive light brown colour
• Packaged in a tea bag

 

 

 

9. Itoen Whole Healthy Dark Green Tea Powder Stick Type

 

 

Authentic Japanese tea with health benefits, a powdered tea that claims to have 2 health functions: 1 to reduce body fat 2 to reduce LDL cholesterol. This is a healthy powdered tea (stick type) that aims to reduce health concerns.

You can get the whole nutritional component of tea leaves while enjoying the deep flavour. It contains matcha made from tea leaves of Itoen. It has a bright green colour and a mellow taste. You can enjoy it not only with hot and cold water. Stick type that is convenient to carry.

• Powdered tea (stick type)
• Has 2 health functions
• Matcha tea
• Mellow taste

 

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10. Iyemon Cha Japanese Tea Matcha Blend Ryokucha Instant Tea

 

 

An incredible instant green tea produced from Japan, Iyemon uses 100% Japanese grown tea leaves, blended from a variety of different leaves and plenty of matcha to create a delicious tea, rich in flavour. Instant green tea is a type of powdered green tea that is infused and dried in the heat. Each cup is individually wrapped so you can enjoy fresh tea anytime and anywhere. In addition, it dissolves quickly in hot or cold water.

• 100% Japanese grown tea leaves
• Matcha flavour
• Instant green tea
• Powdered type
• Dissolves quickly in hot or cold water.

 

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11. Itoen Eco Tea Bag Oi Ocha Japanese Green Tea

 

 

Itoen Ooicha Green Tea has a pleasant green tea flavour with a rich fragrance, it combines carefully selected green tea leaves with matcha green tea (100% domestic tea leaves are used) and does not contain bitter after taste. It is made by blending Itoen’s own powdered matcha green tea, which is finer than usual, then a fragrant and colourful light green colour is achieved. Individually wrapped for quality and freshness. It can be used for baking sweets, cooking, or making special beverages. 

• Pleasant green tea flavour
• Rich fragrance
• 100% domestic tea leaves
• Individually wrapped

 

 

 

12. Tsujiri Japanese Tea Sencha from Uji Kyoto Tea Bag

 

 

Tsujiri Japanese tea Sencha has a refreshing aroma and a gentle astringency. Since it is a triangular bag that is one size larger than a general tea bag, it has good extractability and a taste closer to that of a Kyusu. It comes in an individual packaging that allows you to enjoy fresh taste at any time.

The tea bags are individually wrapped and convenient to carry. A well-balanced blend of tea leaves that have been roasted on high heat with a strong fragrance and tea leaves that have been roasted on low heat to bring out the sweetness unique to Uji sencha.

• Refreshing aroma and gentle astringency
• Triangular tea bag
• Individually packaged
• Convenient to carry

 

 

 

13. Iyemon Cha Japanese Tea Irigome Blend Hojicha Roasted Rice Instant Tea

 

 

An instant tea that combines the fragrance of roasted green tea and roasted rice. Carefully selected tea leaves, Lyemon Cha uses high-quality tea leaves, the tea is as delicious as the tea brewed in Kyusu. Each pack is individually wrapped, which makes post-processing easy and convenient to carry. Using 100% domestic tea leaves, so you can drink with confidence. An overall rich roasted tea that can be enjoyed with traditional Japanese food or on its own.

• Roasted green tea and roasted rice
• Using high quality tea leaves
• Individually wrapped
• Using 100% domestic tea leaves

 

 

 

14. Morihan Uji Matcha Sweet Green Tea

 

 

Morihan Uji Matcha Sweet green tea is sweetened green tea powder from Uji, Kyoto. This product is popular among many people who enjoy a sweeter taste, since straight Matcha can be too bitter or strong. This Matcha is authentic Japanese Uji Matcha from Morihan, a real tea shop in Uji, Kyoto with more than 180 years of history. You can also make matcha shake, matcha syrup or matcha milk with this tea powder. You can enjoy it with both hot and cold water.

• Sweetened green tea powder
• Authentic Japanese Uji Matcha
• Can be used for baking
• Dissolves easily in water

 

 

 

15. Tsujuri Matcha Green Tea Milk

 

 

Tsujuri Matcha Green Tea Milk has a rich taste, with two kinds of Uji/Kyoto green tea that are carefully selected. It has a sweet taste in harmony with the richness of milk. Just by adding hot water (or milk), you can easily enjoy the real authentic taste of a Japanese tea. An excellent item that goes well with breakfast toast or many other foods.

Enjoy the depth of Japanese tea at the convenience of your own home. Perfect for a busy morning where you can enjoy the richness of milk and bittersweetness of authentic matcha green tea grounded with a stone mill.

• Two kinds of Uji/Kyoto green tea
• Has a gentle richness of milk
• Dissolves easily in water or milk
• Powdered type

 

 

 

16. Itoen Japanese Tea Smooth Dark Green Tea

 

 

 

A strong instant green tea with health benefits. Itoen Japanese Tea Smooth Dark is a powder type that dissolves quickly in water or hot water. Since it is an instant type, you can adjust the intensity of the taste depending on your preference. A mellow matcha blend that combines the richness of various green teas.

This product contains a special type of catechin which has been reported to have the ability to reduce body fat. Simply balance your diet with authentic Japanese tea that also has the ability to reduce body fat.

• Various health benefits
• Instant type
• Contains richness of various green tea
• Authentic Japanese tea
• Can reduce body fat

 

 

 

17. Nomura no Chaen Green Tea with Powdered Brown Rice

 

 

Brown rice is added to the crushed domestic tea leaves so that you can enjoy the aroma of roasted brown rice and green tea. It gives a unique aroma of Genmai Cha, a popular Japanese tea variety. You can enjoy delicious green tea just by adding hot water or water, as it is a convenient powdered tea.

It contains 100 single-serve sticks in a box, which is a good value-for-money that can be shared among large families. The green powder can be added to hot or cold water and does not require a teapot or tea bags. Only domestic ingredients are used for both green tea and brown rice.

• Roasted tea and brown rice
• Aroma of Genmai Cha tea
• 100 single-serve sticks
• Can be dissolved in hot or cold water

 

 

 

18. Itoen Oi Ocha Matcha Green Tea with Sencha

 

 

Itoen Oi Ocha Matcha Green Tea with Sencha is a blend of Japanese green tea leaves and real matcha powder to achieve a superb green tea with a bright green colour. No additives such as colouring agents and fragrances are used, and you can enjoy the taste and aroma of 100% pure matcha. The bright green coloured matcha is pleasant to the palate and there is little bitterness peculiar to matcha, so it is also recommended for making sweets and matcha latte. With just one bag of this green tea, you can make approx. 10 teacups.

• 100% pure matcha green tea
• No additives
• Slight bitterness
• Can be used for making sweets and matcha latte

 

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