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Sencha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Leaves acquires a needle-like shape because of the rolling
process. Leaves are dark bright green in colour.

Tea Liquor Color - Transparent yellow to light yellow-green

Aroma - Fresh and soothing - Sencha green tea leaves have a refreshing flavour that can be
described as vegetal, green, seaweedy, or grassy.

Taste & Flavor - Good balance between astringent and sweet - Sencha green tea acquires an
intensified flavour compared to other green tea varieties because of the rolling process. The rolling
process leads to the release of all the juices inside of the leaves.

Aftertaste - Deep, long-lasting green

Water temperature - 70°C (158°F)

Growing Method - Sencha is grown in direct sunlight.

Timing of Harvest - Sencha is usually harvested as part of the first flush.

Processing Method - Once picked, the tea leaves are steamed. The steaming process is done with
the youngest leaves at the top. After the steaming process, the leaves are dried and rolled. The
processing method plays a critical role in the price of green tea in the form of green tea bags or loose
green tea leaves

Health Benefits - Sencha tea is one of the highest sources of Vitamin C. In humans, Vitamin C helps in
fighting the common cold and in boosting the immune system.

Uniqueness - Sencha is the most frequently drunk variety of green tea leaves around the globe.
(Reference: Varieties of Green Tea, ITO EN Ltd, Retrieved on 19 April 2020)

Sencha Green Tea

Sencha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

2. Hojicha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - The leaves look much darker than Sencha because of the roasting
process.

Tea Liquor Color - Bright, transparent brown

Aroma - Deep roasted aroma - Hojicha is less bitter in taste than Sencha.

Taste & Flavor - Light and uncomplicated - Hojicha has a savoury aroma to its leaves because of the
roasting process.

Aftertaste - Subtle green tea

Water temperature - 95°C (203°F)

Processing Method - Hojicha is prepared from Sencha by the roasting process. At 200 degree celsius,
the Sencha green tea leaves are roasted in a roasting pan. Caffeine is sublimated during this process
and Hojcha is formed.

Health Benefits - Helps in increasing the bodies immune system and assists in fighting the common
cold.

Uniqueness - Among the different types of tea, its leaves have a distinct roasted aroma. (Reference:
10 different types of green tea you need to know about, Big Flag Tea, Retrieved on 19 April 2020)

Hojicha Green Tea

Hojicha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

3. Gyokuro Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - The leaves are of darker shade compared to Sencha but have
lower astringency and has a rich flavour. Leaves are less spread out and not in needle shape, unlike
Sencha.

Tea Liquor Color - Pale, transparent yellow

Aroma - “Sea breeze” aroma - The aroma is similar to nori seaweed.

Taste & Flavor - Sweet with a deep umami flavour - Gyokuro is known for its sweet flavour. The
sweet flavour is because of the presence of high levels of theanine. Theanine is an amino acid that
forms because of the shading process of the leaves.

Aftertaste - Seaweed, spinach

Water temperature - 40°C (104°F)

Growing Method - Gyokuro tea bushes are shaded with cloth or reed screen around three weeks
prior to picking. Because of restricted sunlight, the generation of catechins from amino acids
(theanine) is suppressed.

Timing of Harvest - Its harvested as part of first or second flush, however in its case shading the tea
leaves from the sunlight becomes an utmost requirement.

Processing Method - Post harvesting the tea leaves are taken through the same steaming and rolling
process as Sencha.

Health Benefits - Gyokuro contains large amounts of caffeine and chlorophyll as compared to the
types of tea. Both these components stimulate the brain and nervous system. It also assists well as a
skin ointment and helps in tissue growth.

Uniqueness - Since the tea is more difficult to shade and cultivate, the production cost and price of
green tea leaves are high. (Reference: Best Green Tea Types for Beginners, The Spruce Eats,
Retrieved on 19 April 2020)

Gyokuro Green Tea

Gyokuro Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

4. Tencha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - During the process of preparing Tencha, vines and stems are
removed and only the leaves are left behind. Leaves are bright green in colour and lack the blacks
because Tencha tea does not undergo any rolling process.

Tea Liquor Color - Pale green

Aroma - Subtle noble Aroma

Taste & Flavor - The taste is deep and mellow because of the high mineral content. Aftertaste -
Mellow sweet

Water temperature - 40°C (104°F)

Processing Method - Similar to Gyokuro, the raw leaves (Ichibancha) are grown according to the
covered culture method to block out most sunlight. The coverage period is longer than the standard
20 days that Gyokuro is covered for. After steaming, the leaves are dried without being rolled. This
step has huge impact determine the price of green tea leaves from the different types of tea.

Health Benefits - As Tencha doesn’t undergo the rolling process so larger leaves release high levels of
minerals and vitamins and so it acts as a booster in terms of energy and metabolism. The high level
of caffeine allows for the alertness of mind. this is one of the reasons that the price of green tea of
this variety is on the higher side.

Uniqueness - This tea is best before and after exercise to rejuvenate the body. (Reference: Japanese
Green Tea: Satisfy Your Senses With 10 Shades Of Green, Sazen Tea, Retrieved on 19 April 2020)

Tencha Green Tea

Tencha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

5. Matcha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of Matcha - Matcha is the powdered form of Tencha. The powder is bright
green in colour.

Tea Liquor Color - Matcha green tea is vivid green in colour

Aroma - Matcha green tea has a refreshing aroma of fresh green leaves - Being another form of
Tencha it smells exactly the same - having a subtle noble aroma. This green tea leaves is one of the
most famous among the different types of tea.

Taste & Flavor - Rich and complex with a deep umami flavour - Matcha tea is also used to prepare
traditional Japanese confections and savoury dishes, because of its sweeter taste.

Aftertaste - Matcha green tea has a sweet aftertaste.

Water temperature - 80°C (176°F)

Processing Method - Matcha tea is the stone grounded form of Tencha. After the shading,
harvesting, and steaming, the leaves are then air-dried, removed of stems and veins, and then
ground into a powder to be brewed as Matcha Green Tea. This is the reason why there is huge range
of price of green tea available in the market.
Health Benefits - Matcha tea is a source of a high amount of natural nutrients and so it is very helpful
in rejuvenating healthy skin and in cleaning the body.

Uniqueness - Dark Matcha tea also known as Koicha was previously made from the leaves of very old
tea bushes - over 100 years old. In recent times, cultivar varieties suited to Koicha have been
selected to produce them in a much shorter time period especially in Japan.

Difference between Sencha and Matcha Green tea

Sencha Green Tea and Matcha Green Tea, Tea Forte, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0

6. Funmatsucha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Funmate Sucha has a much darker colour compared to Gyokuro.
It's in a powdered form like Matcha, however, it lacks the bright green colour.

Tea Liquor Color - Earthy green

Aroma - Very earthy smell

Taste & Flavor - Funmatsucha has a very bitter taste because the leaves during the processing period
do not get shaded from the sunlight and therefore enduring more photosynthesis. Funmatsucha
tastes like a concentrated sencha, quite astringent and bitter.

Aftertaste - Deep but a but bitter Water temperature - 80°C (176°F)

Processing Method - Funmatsucha consists of green tea leaves ground into a powder. These aren’t
high-quality leaves, which is reflected by the price of green tea too.

Health Benefits - Funmatsucha has a much higher amount of antioxidants compared to other green
teas and because of high antioxidants its a perfect tea choice to fight against the common cold,
headaches, and illnesses.

Uniqueness - Funmatsucha is known for its cheap price of green tea leaves and bitter flavour.
(Reference: Funmatsucha, My Japanese Green Tea, Retrieved on 19 April 2020)

Funmatsucha Green Tea

Funmatsucha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

7. Konacha or Agari Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Konacha is bits of filtered out buds from Gyokuro and Sencha. So
they are bulkier compared to other teas.

Tea Liquor Color - Deep dark green, opaque

Aroma - Deep earthy aroma

Taste & Flavor - Bitter and astringent flavours

Aftertaste - Raw and spicy green

Water temperature - 75°C (167°F)

Processing Method - Konacha comprises of small bits of leaves that are filtered out of the process of
Gyokuro or SenchaIt. On further roasting of Konacha, one can prepare Houjikonacha, diluting the
bitterness and obtaining a more deep flavour.

Health Benefits - Konacha can help in fighting diabetes and heart diseases because of its high
catechin content.

Uniqueness - Konacha means powder tea, but Konacha is leaves and not powder.

Konacha or Agari Green Tea

Konacha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

8. Kabusecha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Kabusecha Green Tea consists of dark green coloured, full-bodied
leaves.

Tea Liquor Color - Yellow-green

Aroma - Soothing

Taste & Flavor - Mild with a moderate umami flavour

Aftertaste - sweet and refreshing

Water temperature - 60°C (122°F)

Growing Method - Kabusecha is produced through the cover culture but Kabusecha is covered for
only 7 days, unlike Gyokuro. Straw blankets are used for covering.

Processing Method - Covering culture enables new leaf shoots to acquire a darker green colour, full-
bodied flavour and lower astringency than Sencha.

Health Benefits - Help to relieve anxiety and stress, lower cholesterol, improve digestion and even
help to improve dental health.

Uniqueness - Kabusecha Green Tea Leaves is usually referred to as a hybrid of sencha (soothing
aroma and astringency) and Gyokuro (umami flavour) giving it uniqueness among various types of
tea.

Kabusecha Green Tea

Kabusecha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

9. Fukamushi cha (Fukamushi Sencha or Fukamushi Ryokucha) Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Also because of the longer steamed process the tea becomes
finer and the tea made from these leaves have a much higher leaf content and very green in colour.

Tea Liquor Color - Green yellow

Aroma - This process provides a richer flavour compared to Sencha, due to the removal of moisture
and oxidation. Taste & Flavor - Less astringent than sencha, mild and mellow taste
Aftertaste - Long-lasting mellow green

Water temperature - 70°C (158°F)

Processing Method - Fukamushi means "steamed for a long time." Fukamushicha contains leaves
from the Sencha, Gyokuro, Kabusecha, and Bancha. The additional process is that of deep steaming
for three-four times longer providing the leaves with a deeper colour and brew.

Health Benefits - It has soothing effects on the stomach due to its light flavour. Moreover, the active
components of the tea are easily absorbed into the body even though they do not dissolve in water.

Uniqueness - As the leaves have been thoroughly steamed, so Fukamushicha Green Tea leaves
become a bit powdery and the tea takes on a stronger taste and darker green colour.

Fukamushicha (Fukamushi Sencha or Fukamushi Ryokucha) Green Tea

Fukamushicha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

10. Kukicha (Karigane) Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Kukicha (Karigane) Green Tea consists of twigs and stalks.

Tea Liquor Color - Soft, pale yellow-green

Aroma - Fresh and soothing

Taste & Flavor - Uncomplicated and sweet

Aftertaste - Mild green with a slight bitterness

Water temperature - 80°C (176°F)

Processing Method - The remains left from the production of Sencha, Gyokuro and matcha teas
forms Kukicha tea. It is also called twig tea because it mostly consists of stems and stalks.

Health Benefits - Works very well as a relaxant and stress reliever. Kukicha is also known as a
morning green tea because it allows one to wake up refreshed and ready.

Uniqueness - It is known for its yellow brew compared to the other types of tea.

Kukicha (Karigane) Green Tea

Kukicha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

11. Kamairicha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Much darker in colour because of the hot frying process.

Tea Liquor Color - Clear, pale yellow

Aroma - Distinctly deep aroma of a roasting kettle Taste & Flavor - Uncomplicated

Aftertaste - Roasted almond with a hint of cocoa

Water temperature - 85°C (185°F)

Processing Method - Kamairicha doesn't go through the roasting process instead leaves of
Kamairicha are fried in a hot pan at 300°C (572°F) to halt oxidation, continuously tossed in a process
called Iriha-ki.

Health Benefits - Kamairicha Green Tea Leaves is found to be very effective against heart problems
and against cholesterol.

Uniqueness - This process of a hot friend and testing of tea is very rare even in Japan and Kamairicha
only consists of 2% of all green tea produced, making every cup a precious luxury.

Kamaitachi Green Tea

Kamairicha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

12. Genmaicha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - In case of Genmaicha, the brown rice provides a grainier touch
and flavour to Sencha leaves.

Tea Liquor Color - Pale yellow-green

Aroma - Deep aroma of roasted brown rice

Taste & Flavor - Refreshing - One can taste the combination of the savoriness of roasted brown rice
and the refreshing flavour of Sencha.

Aftertaste - Pleasant roasted

Water temperature - 85°C (185°F)

Processing Method - Genmaicha Green Tea is produced by mixing Bancha or medium grade Secha
with brown rice in equal proportions. The brown rice before mixing is soaked, steamed, roasted and
popped.

Health Benefits - Genmaicha is very much used by children and elderly people because of its low
caffeine content. It also acts as a soother to the stomach after eating fried food.

Uniqueness - Genmaicha refers to the Japanese word for "brown rice". Genmaicha is actually a
Bancha or medium-grade Sencha mixed with roasted brown rice.

Genmaicha Green Tea

Genmaicha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

13. Bancha Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Dark green-yellow coloured leaves Tea

Liquor Color - Pale yellow-green

Aroma - Compared to Sencha, Branch has a Full-bodied flavour and lower astringency.

Taste & Flavor - Compared to Sencha, Bancha is much more bitter.

Aftertaste - Mild green with a slight bitterness Water temperature - 80°C (176°F)

Timing of Harvest - Bancha harvesting is done in three periods varying between June and October,
with leaves becoming less desirable over each harvest. Bancha is always the later harvest after the
first flush has been used for Sencha.

Processing Method - The roasting process adds bitterness to the taste. The bitterness is because of
the higher levels of fluoride.

Health Benefits - Very effective against tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath).

Uniqueness - Bancha in Japanese means a coarse tea that is not exported.

Bancha Green Tea

Bancha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

14. Shincha (Ichibancha) Green Tea

Appearance & Color of the leaves - Leaves are dark green in colour.

Tea Liquor Color - Light yellow

Aroma - Refreshing and invigorating scent of new leaves.

Taste & Flavor - Shincha is less bitter and astringent compared with Nibancha or Sanbancha. Higher
content of amino acids (theanine), gives Shincha a full-bodied flavour and sweetness.

Aftertaste - Deep but a but bitter

Water temperature - 70°C (158°F)

Timing of Harvest - Shincha (Ichibancha) Green Tea leaves are harvested during the first flush of the
plant. Ichibancha is usually used in contrast to Nibancha and Sanbancha, which are made from later
pickings. Picking begins in temperate regions and gradually moves northward.

Processing Method - Shinchas are picked at the very beginning of the season and are steamed,
rolled, and dried to completion before being shipped out for immediate enjoyment.

Health Benefits - Shincha (Ichibancha) Green Tea leaves is a wealth of amino acids and lacks catechin
and caffeine.

Uniqueness - Essentially being the first harvest tea (First picking of the year - Hatsumono), Shincha
leaves are one of the most expensive.

Shincha (Ichibancha) Green Tea

Shincha Green Tea, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Further to elucidate Teacurry.com research around different types of green tea, below is a pictorial
snapshot of all types of Green tea in a nutshell.

Pictorial snapshot of all different types of Green teas