Sencha
Japan's most common green tea, made from leaves steamed and dried. It has a fresh, grassy, lightly sweet taste and is brewed at a low temperature.
What Is Sencha?
Sencha is the most commonly drunk green tea in Japan. After the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) are picked, in the Japanese method they are briefly steamed to stop oxidation, then rolled and dried; this gives them their vivid green color and refreshing taste.
When brewed, it gives a light-bright green tea; its taste is grassy, refreshing, and mildly sweet, and it doesn't turn bitter if brewed properly. There are varieties depending on harvest time and leaf quality; the first spring harvest is the most prized.
Content and Notes on Sencha
Sencha, brewed without sugar, is nearly calorie-free; it naturally contains caffeine and carries the antioxidant compounds typical of green teas. Those sensitive to caffeine should be careful about consumption late in the evening. Balanced daily consumption is recommended, without excess.
This information is general; sencha is a beverage, not a substitute for medical treatment.
How Is Sencha Selected?
Good sencha has vivid green, neatly rolled leaves and a fresh-grassy smell. Teas that have faded-yellowed in color, gone stale in smell, or turned dusty have lost their freshness. Ones with a recent harvest date are more aromatic.
- Leaves should be vivid green
- Smell should be fresh-grassy
- Harvest should be recent
How Is Sencha Stored?
Sencha is stored in a tightly closed, light-blocking container, in a cool, dry, and odor-free place. Light, moisture, heat, and strong smells quickly ruin the aroma of green tea. Consuming it within a reasonable time after opening preserves its freshness.
Using Sencha in the Kitchen and at the Table
Sencha is used most often as plain hot tea; also as a cold brew (iced green tea) and as an aroma in some sweet-savory recipes. It's brewed with warm water at about 70–80°C, not boiling, for a short time; this way its refreshing taste comes through without turning bitter. Those who wish can also make a second brew.
Why Isn't Sencha Brewed with Boiling Water?
Very hot water extracts too much of certain compounds in green tea, making it bitter and astringent. That's why sencha is brewed with warm water (about 70–80°C) for a short time; this way its taste stays refreshing and balanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sencha and matcha the same?
They're not the same; both are green tea, but sencha is brewed as loose leaves, while matcha is drunk by whisking ground powder from shade-grown leaves into water. Their taste and preparation differ.
How many times can sencha be brewed?
Quality sencha can generally be brewed two to three times; each brew's taste is a bit different. The first brew is the freshest, later brews milder.
Does sencha have caffeine?
Yes; sencha naturally contains caffeine. The amount varies by brewing time and leaf ratio; those sensitive to caffeine can consume it moderately late in the evening.