“Tea is the elixir of life and the art of prolonging life.”
So writes tea master Eisai in Kissa Yōjōki (1211), the very first book about tea in Japan.
The above quote paints a rather clear picture of tea and people’s views on it at the time: the name of the game, first and foremost, was health and nutrition.
Fast forward to the present day, some 800 years later, and Japanese tea has become a staple in society — both domestically and abroad.
Of course, everyone has their own personal favorite — be it sencha, houjicha, matcha, or one of the other countless varieties that line store shelves.
And therein lies the challenges for someone wanting to dive more into the world of tea:
- With so many types on the market, how and where does a budding tea drinker begin?
- How will you be able to differentiate the varieties and find one that’s right for you?
- What are some recommended tea stores, and what do they sell?
In this blog post, you’re going to find out all of the above.
So pull up a chair, put a pot on the stove, and let tea time begin!
7 Popular Tea Types
In no particular order, here’s 7 popular tea varieties from the Land of the Rising Sun.
#1: Sencha
Sencha is the most widely produced of all Japanese teas. It’s picked several times throughout the year, though the first and second pick (ichibancha and nibancha respectively) are seen as highest in quality.
Ichibancha is picked from mid-April to mid-May and has a sweet, refreshing taste. Nibancha, on the other hand, is slightly astringent — though is also regarded as having antibacterial properties.
#2: Gyokuro
High-grade tea made from leaves grown between the middle of April and May. The Japanese word gyokuro translates to “jade dew” — a name that matches the infusion’s pale green color (and perceived grade) perfectly.
The plants are covered with straw or cloth for about 20 days to block out the sunlight. This allows nutrients to be stored up inside the tea leaves, giving them a full-bodied sweetness and a lush aroma.
#3: Matcha
Perhaps one of the most well known of Japanese teas, due to its use in many popular sweet foods. Whether it be ice cream, KitKats, Pocky, or even gelato, you’ll find matcha in kitchens and café menus all over the world!
The pre-ground tea leaves are known as tencha, and just like gyokuro are covered to protect them from sunlight. This process increases chlorophyll in the leaves, giving matcha its full green color.
Matcha contains lots of caffeine and theanine (an amino acid) — a combination that helps clear the mind and boost feelings of relaxation.
#4: Genmaicha
This highly aromatic variety is made by mixing green tea with roasted brown or white rice. It’s affectionately known by two nicknames:
- Popcorn tea, as the rice in the mixture will occasionally pop while heating (resulting in what literally looks like small bits of popcorn)
- People’s tea, as in times gone by green tea was so expensive that mixing in rice effectively reduced the price of the final product
What’s interesting about genmaicha is that it is often combined with other varieties to enhance its flavor (or even create new ones). It’s typically blended with houjicha or matcha.
#5: Bancha
Short for bangaicha (“extra tea”). True to its name, this tea is harvested much later than other Japanese teas — generally from summer onwards.
As the tea leaves are given more time to mature, the taste they provide is light and refreshing, lacking the “punch” of other tea varieties.
Though sencha is the most popular tea in Japan today, the World Green Tea Organization explains that Bancha actually held the coveted spot up until the middle of the Edo period (1603–1867). Back then, it was “daily drinking tea for the common people.”
#6: Houjicha
Houjiru means “to roast” in Japanese, and that’s exactly how this tea is made: roasting regular green tea leaves (usually the aforementioned bancha) until they are reddish brown.
Houjicha is known for its distinct savory (umami) flavor and low caffeine content, which makes it the perfect choice for children. It’s also a great complement at lunch and dinner, as it cleanses the palate and counterbalances the heavy feeling of oily foods.
#7: Mugicha
Unlike the other varieties covered so far, mugicha contains no caffeine — and actually doesn’t even come from tea plants at all! It’s made from roasted barley, which gives it a refreshing, aromatic, toasty taste.
A glass or bottle of cold mugicha is perhaps the quintessential summer drink in Japan. It’s not just because summer is the season when barley itself is harvested, either; mugicha contains plenty of vitamin B1, which helps strengthen the nervous system and boost energy levels.
Store #1: Itohkyuemon
Fast Facts
- Founded 1832 in Uji, Kyoto
- Original lineup of Uji tea, Japanese sweets, and cakes
- Major collaborations with Kit Kat, 7–11, Tirol Choco, and more
Editor’s Pick #1: Uji Matcha “Ajirogi”
Itohkyuemon is synonymous with matcha teas, and Uji Matcha Ajirogi is one of its most popular. It’s a high-grade offering made using traditional techniques that boasts both a mild sweetness and an elegant aroma.
Editor’s Pick #2: Premium Gyokuro “Kanro”
Uji’s gyokuro is the cream of the crop in the world of Japanese green tea. It’s made from only the finest leaves and is used in tea ceremony sessions all over the country.
Editor’s Pick #3: Genmaicha with Matcha
A blend of fragrant brown rice and moderately astringent matcha. The latter point makes it especially suitable for everyday consumption.
Store #2: Tsuboichi Seicha
Fast Facts
- Founded 1850 in Sakai, Osaka
- Sakai is the birthplace of Sen-no-rikyu, one of the most prominent figures in the history of tea ceremony
- Product offerings range from sencha to sweets
- The president of the company is a 6th level tea connoisseur
Editor’s Pick #1: “Rikyu no Uta” Sencha
Rikyu no Uta is one of Osaka’s Osakamon Meihin, an accolade awarded only to local commodities of the highest prestige and caliber (such as those in production for more than 50 years).
Its pleasantly sweet taste, full-bodied color, and substantial amino acid content (double that of regular sencha, according to Tsuboichi) make it a truly invigorating, yet relaxing, tea experience.
Editor’s Pick #2: “Kaoririkyu” Houjicha
You'll find the aptly named Kaoririkyu (kaori means "aroma" in Japanese) being used in certain Michelin star kappo restaurants, where its fragrant aroma and elegant flavor no doubt complement the traditional Japanese cuisine to a T. Kaoririkyu contains lightly roasted ingredients from the first harvest of the season (see the note about ichibancha above).
Editor’s Pick #3: Round-Grain Mugicha
This mugicha that is sold as is, rather than in pre-packaged tea bags (which are becoming increasingly popular in recent years). Of course, that brings along with it a distinctly fragrant, refreshing taste that you'll be hard-pressed to find from tea bags.
Store #3: Ujitawara Tea Factory
Fast Facts
- Founded 1928 in Ujiwara, Kyoto
- Ujitawara is the birthplace of Japanese green tea
- Product offerings range from sencha to sweets
Ujitawara Tea Factory was established in Ujitawara, Kyoto, the birthplace of Japanese green tea, in 1928. The company produces Japanese tea and sells it by mail order. Today, in addition to tea, the company also offers health foods, sweets and snacks, as well as other miscellaneous goods such as cosmetics and fashion items.
Ujitawara is located in the mountains, where day and night temperatures can be drastically different. Fog is also a common occurrence due to the amount of precipitation, and so you'll often find cold morning mist from the Tawara River covering the tea fields. As the old saying goes, “A village with deep mist produces delicious tea."
Editor’s Pick #1: Koimaro-cha
This dark-green tea soothes you with its mellow flavors and its perfect fusion of sencha (both deep- and light-steamed varieties), first pick gyokuro, and Uji matcha.
It's Ujitawara's most popular option, and for good reason: its brewing is based on survey responses about what customers would like in their ideal tea!
Editor’s Pick #2: Blended Tea American
This versatile tea is both sweet and savory, making it ideal at both regular meals and tea time.
It's a well-balanced blend of matcha, sencha, kabusecha (covered tea), and kuki houjicha (containing roasted stems and twigs, rather than tea leaves). Definitely a unique option that to many will be greater than the sum of its parts!
Editor’s Pick #3: Matcha Introductory Set
This convenient beginners set is perfect for those who want to try their hand at preparing matcha themselves. It includes a chawan (tea bowl), whisk, chasaji teaspoon, and Koimaro matcha powder. The tea bowls are all made by hand, which gives each one a different texture and ensures no two sets are the same.
Store #4: Kamakura Club Tea Room
Fast Facts
- Offers tea from all over Japan
- Sells sweets, teapots, and even accessories in addition to tea
About the Tea
Editor’s Pick #1: Ureshino Kamairicha
Ureshino in Saga Prefecture is renowned for its tea, and this is just one of its main offerings.
The production process is based around pan or pot roasting (kamairi) rather than steaming, unlike most other Japanese teas. Though this makes it sound like a high-class rarity, it’s actually intended for daily consumption.
Editor’s Pick #2: Tamaryokucha
Also hailing from the Ureshino region, this tea variety is unique in that the leaves are twisted (rather than rolled into needle shapes). Steaming time is longer and at a higher temperature than that of regular sencha, resulting in a mellow taste with less astringency.
About 98% of all tea produced in Ureshino is steamed tamaryokucha, so there’s no denying its popularity!
Editor’s Pick #3: Mimasaka Bancha
Derived from the yabukita cultivar and produced in the Mimasaka region of Okayama Prefecture for generations. Said to be a favorite of famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi’s, who hailed from Mimasaka himself (or so historians believe).
Mimasaka Bancha has a subtle sweetness and natural fragrance to it, perhaps due to the tea leaves being sundried during preparation.
Recap: Quick Japanese Tea Guide & 4 Top Stores
Here’s the full list of shops and products we explored in this post.
#1: Itohkyuemon
- "Ajirogi" Uji Matcha
- "Kanro" Premium Gyokuro
- Genmaicha with Matcha
#2: Tsuboichi Seicha
- "Rikyu no Uta" Sencha
- "Kaoririkyu" Houjicha
- Round Grain Mugicha
#3: Ujitawara Tea Factory
- Koimaro-cha
- Blended Tea American
- Matcha Introductory Set
#4: Kamakura Club Tea Room
- Ureshino Kamairicha
- Tamaryokucha
- Mimasaka Bancha
Japanese tea culture can be a fascinating rabbit hole for both avid enthusiasts and casual tea lovers. And even if you're not at all familiar with the soothing flavors and aromas that Japanese tea can provide, with hundreds of years of history behind it, there's never a time like the present to get started on your tea journey!
If your taste buds are craving the distinct umami flavors of authentic Japanese tea after reading this blog, head on over to our Food & Beverage section and check out the thousands of tea listings we have now on ZenPlus:
Over To You!
What's your favorite tea flavor?
Have you ever joined a traditional Japanese tea ceremony?
Are you interested in chawan and other tea utensils?
Drop us a line on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)! We’d love to hear from you!
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