Matcha, or powdered green tea, is an indispensable part of Japanese culture. But within the world of Japanese tea, there are many more varieties to enjoy. Below, we take a look at the history of Japanese tea, understand its health benefits, explore the different types, and find out where to buy your own – even if you live overseas.
The Origin of Japanese Tea
Green tea is the most popular beverage in Japan, boasting the highest consumption rate nationwide. However, green tea as we know it didn’t originate in Japan.
Green tea originated in ancient China. It wasn’t until the Nara Period (710-1192) that monks and traders brought green tea into Japan, along with Buddhism. Because of this, tea was originally associated with religion, and reserved for religious classes and aristocrats.
In 1211, Buddhist monk Eisai, wrote the Kissa-Yojoki (喫茶養生記), a book detailing the cultivation, preparation, and health benefits of green tea. This book’s popularity led to the adoption of green tea culture by other elite classes.
Cultivating High-Quality Japanese Tea
Farmers developed unique harvesting methods in Uji, Kyoto, in the 1500s. The result was super high-grade matcha and the establishment of Uji as the new standard in imperial-quality tea. Uji tea quickly became a favorite of the shogun himself.
Though Uji tea and matcha were restricted to the elite classes back then, today, both are popular teas enjoyed by people from all over the world. Uji tea is available in matcha, gyokuro, and sencha form (which we explain more below).
Origin of Japanese Tea Ceremonies
Before tea ceremonies, aristocrats held tea parties called Toucha, in which guests tested their ability to distinguish between teas of varying quality for monetary prizes. (They often used Uji tea for this.) Samurai classes held their own tea ceremonies with their own rules in lavishly decorated spaces.
Matcha was still reserved for the elites. Common folk only had low-quality brews and lacked fancy ceremonial spaces. This led to lower classes holding smaller gatherings in kakoi, small tea rooms with simple aesthetics.
Buddhist monk Murata Juko earned his reputation as the top kakoi designer and continued to establish special rules and etiquette for these ceremonies. He was later responsible for the birth of Japanese tea ceremonies, or chanoyu, dubbed the Father of the Tea Ceremony.
Juko went on to train Takeno Joo, another tea master. Joo would eventually train the most important figure in tea history – Sen no Rikyu, the “greatest tea master” responsible for perfecting the “way of tea”, and the Japanese tea ceremony as we know it today.
Health Benefits of Japanese Tea
Japanese tea has been touted for its health benefits since its introduction in Japan, and more and more research emerges each year proving this to be true.
Studies link tea consumption with lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and even some cancers. Green tea also contains antioxidants which are good for overall health, and even have anti-aging effects! No wonder people in Japan also have some of the longest life spans.
More recent studies even link green tea’s high vitamin C and EGCG content with a potential lowered risk of catching coronavirus. (Note: these are all very new studies that are continually being researched. Please continue to practice social distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and wash your hands and gargle often)!
Varieties of Japanese Tea
To this point, we’ve mostly talked about matcha and regular green tea. But let’s not neglect the many other varieties of Japanese tea! While they all come from the same plant (Camellia Sinensis), the difference is in the cultivation and processing of the leaves. Each method results in distinct aromas and flavors.
Matcha
High-quality tea leaves are grown in the shade before being ground into the fine powder we know as matcha. This method results in the stronger flavor, the vibrant green color, and higher caffeine content. (Note that matcha always refers to the powdered form).
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is the highest quality green tea. The harvesting method is the same as matcha, minus the powdering. The result is dark green tea leaves with a very rich flavor and scent.
Sencha
Believe it or not, it is sencha (and not matcha!) that is the most common tea in Japan. While matcha is a special, more high-quality tea, sencha is what you would call “regular” green tea. The method of harvesting sencha involves steaming, rolling, and drying only the youngest tea leaves. The flavor is more mild than matcha.
Tencha
Tencha also shares similar cultivation methods as matcha. However, the leaves are neither rolled (like sencha) or ground (like matcha), and simply left to dry flat. It is harder to brew, and results in a very mild tea. (Fun fact: traditional Japanese tea ceremonies prohibit the use of tencha.)
Hojicha
Hojicha is basically roasted green tea. The leaves are reddish brown, and brew a more mild tea with a toasty aroma and less caffeine.
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is actually a combination of sencha with toasted brown rice. This tea is also mild in flavor and less in caffeine content. It’s taste is commonly likened to popcorn.
The Future of Japanese Tea
Like everything else in the world, the culture of Japanese tea is also changing with the times. Tea ceremonies are no longer as big a part of society as they once were, and the younger generation is not as invested in the art of growing and brewing tea as their elders.
However, tea companies have been fighting to keep up with the times. That includes offering modern ways to buy and enjoy teas – from selling tea in street vending machines to using tea in new and interesting Kit Kat flavors to online shops that seek to share Japanese tea culture internationally.
And you don’t have to live in Japan to enjoy high-quality Japanese tea in your own home. Online tea shops like Mohei Tea sell all the tea varieties mentioned above and more. Check them out. Alternatively, if you’re headed to Japan and want to check out some great teas, ask Unseen Japan Tours to put together a custom, tea-focused itinerary for you. You can even ask us to guide you around for additional cultural context and to break the language barrier.
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