How to Brew the Perfect Japanese Tea
There are a variety Japaneas teas has varieties such as Gyokuro, Sencha, Bancha and Hojicha. Each tea contains: tannin (catechin) giving it its bitterness and an astringent taste, caffeine its bitterness; amino acid its 'umami' and sweetness; and sugars its sweetness. To enjoy its aroma and flavor, it is necessary to serve it knowing the properties of those taste characteristics.
Here is the introduction of how to make Sencha, Gyokuro and Macha from Uji, according to their individual characteristics.
How to make Sencha (for three people)
In Sencha, the most important thing is the balance of the bitterness and astringent of the tannin with the umami of the amino acid in Sencha. High quality green tea such as Gyokuro and High quality Sencha are prized because they containe high amounts of amino acid and strong umami flavors.
Therefore, with high quality Sencha, using about 70℃ hot water is recommended. Water of this temperature prevents the extraction of the tannins, and boosts the umami of the amino acids which can be extracted at lower temperature hot water.
How to make Gyokuro (for three people)
Gyokuro tea is grown by the undercover cultivation method and is considered the king of green teas in Japan. It is rich in amino acids and contains more theanine than sencha, which gives it a sweet taste. By taking care to bring out this theanine, the delicious taste of Gyokuro can be enjoyed. The ultimate Gyokuro can be tasted with hot water at a lower temperature than Sencha.
The Kyusu was developed in each tea culture country, and sometimes accessory utensils are used. For example, in Japan, in accordance with the development of Gyokuro, there is the combined use of the Kyusu and the "Yuzamashi" (a container which is used to cool down the water).
How to make Matcha
Making matcha is simple. Prepare matcha powder, a chashaku (tea scoop), a chasen (tea whisk), and a tea bowl.
It is important to choose high-quality matcha. Select fresh, flavorful matcha. Use approximately 2 grams of matcha per serving. The amount of hot water should be about 60 ml. However, you can adjust the thickness of the tea according to your taste, so use the amount of hot water as a guide.
You can order the tools of your choice from online retailers. If you purchase a "starter kit" from this website, you can easily enjoy the tea ceremony. These can be substituted for other utensils.
Matcha is also popular these days for making matcha lattes and for use in cooking.
