Sencha Tea

What Is Sencha Tea?

Sencha is the most widely consumed green tea in Japan; like all true teas, it is made from the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). What sets it apart from many Chinese green teas is that, right after harvest, the leaves are steamed to stop oxidation instead of being pan-fired.

This steaming keeps the leaves vivid green and gives the tea a fresh, grassy, slightly oceanic character. The leaves are fine, needle-shaped, and curled. Brewed at the right temperature, the tea is refreshing and slightly sweet; brewed incorrectly (with water that is too hot), it can taste bitter.

Sencha Tea Nutrition

As a beverage, plain brewed sencha tea is nearly calorie-free; its main components are caffeine and natural plant compounds found in green tea. Unless sugar is added, its contribution of calories to a meal is negligible.

How Should Sencha Tea Be Evaluated?

Because sencha contains caffeine, people sensitive to caffeine and those drinking it in the evening may wish to take care. It is a beverage enjoyed for its taste and freshness as part of balanced fluid intake.

This is general information; sencha tea is a beverage and is not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Sencha Tea

Good sencha has vivid green, fine, needle-shaped, curled leaves and a clean, fresh, grassy aroma. Faded or brownish, dusty, or stale-smelling tea has lost its freshness.

• The leaves should be vivid green and fine
• They should have a fresh, grassy aroma
• Do not buy faded or stale tea

How to Store Sencha Tea

Store sencha in an airtight, lightproof container in a cool, dry place. Green tea loses its freshness quickly, so it should be consumed within a reasonable time. Keep it away from moisture and odors, and choose a cool place for longer storage.

Brewing Sencha Tea

Sencha is brewed with hot water and can also be enjoyed as cold-brewed (iced sencha) tea. Its grassy, refreshing character makes it a green tea to drink plain during the day; the same leaves can be brewed several times.

How to Brew Sencha

Brew sencha briefly (about 1 minute) with warm water at approximately 70–80°C / 158–176°F, not boiling water. This brings out its fresh, grassy character and prevents bitterness. Water that is too hot and a long brewing time make the tea taste bitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is sencha brewed with warm water?

Boiling water quickly extracts the delicate compounds in green tea and gives it a bitter taste, while warm water preserves sencha’s fresh, grassy, slightly sweet character.

Are sencha and matcha the same?

Both are Japanese green teas, but they are different: sencha is brewed as leaves, while matcha is made by whisking powdered leaves specially grown in the shade into water.

What does sencha tea taste like?

It has a fresh, grassy, slightly sweet, refreshing flavor. When brewed correctly, it is vivid and balanced; when brewed incorrectly, it can be bitter.