One of the earliest regions where green tea diffused was Ancient Japan. The health benefit of drinking green tea was realized right from the outset and the Japanese royal family embraced it.
Green tea, the most popular tea these days, is obtained from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. This tea originated from China, subsequently spread to other parts of Asia and eventually to the rest of the world.
There is evidence to show that green tea was consumed in Japan as early as the 9th century, with the Buddhist priests.
They brought the seeds admonishing people to embrace the culture of drinking tea so as to enjoy its immense benefits.
This led to the rapid rise in tea consumption rates in the 12th century. Which in turn, necessitated a proportional increment in the production of tea in Japan.
The Japanese chose Uji as one of the major centers for the cultivation of tea plants in Japan.
This was due to its strategic location close to the former capital city, Kyoto.
It has since grown to become the largest and most important tea cultivation center in Japan today.
Over the years, owing to several innovations and tweaks, people came up with several ways of curing the leaves. This has led to the production of diverse varieties of green tea.
Today, green tea is the most commonly consumed type of tea in Japan. There are several varieties with differences in texture and flavor.
This is mainly due to the different methods of cultivating and processing of the leaves.
Types of green tea in Japan
Shincha Tea
Shincha tea, commonly confused with sencha, is a type of Japanese tea that is often prevalent during the spring (April-July).
However, Shincha and ichibancha are interwoven. But for the sake of clarity, Shincha is often regarded to as the first harvest of sencha.
The name “Shincha” is commonly used after sencha has been properly processed, refined and finished for drinking.
Shincha is generally characterized by a bitter taste as a result of invariably low caffeine contents and high amino acid. Other invaluable nutrients include; Calcium, Potassium, Vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid.
To enjoy it, the tea is best brewed with water at a slightly higher temperature above the boiling point of water.
Health Benefits
Shincha green tea has numerous benefits to offer. This includes: the ability to reduce blood pressure, increase rate of energy builds up, and balance cholesterol levels.
It is also known to prevent chronic diseases, strengthen the immune system and improve brain performance.
Side effects
Like coffee, Shincha tea contains a considerable amount of caffeine. However, if excessively consumed, it can lead to nausea, heart attack, dizziness, headache, anxiety, and irritability.
There are chances of allergies that cause shortness in breath, throat swelling and an upset stomach.
Consuming this variety of green tea at an inappropriate time (before the first month of harvest) has its own causes.
It can lead to different kinds of eye defects, anaemia and diarrhea.
Matcha Green Tea
Matcha is another variety of green tea from Japan popularly made from a tea leave called tencha.
The tea is characterized with finely grounded and brightly powdered appearance.
The tea contains considerable amount of fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin E.
Also, it contains useful minerals like magnesium, Zinc, Chromium and a high level of dietary fiber.
Health Benefits
Matcha tea contains a good amount vitamin E which can act as an anti-oxidant to prevent body-lipid from oxidizing.
As a matter of fact, matcha is believed to contain a considerable amount of anti-oxidants than any other anti-oxidant loving substances such as blueberries.
It has been reported that matcha tea has some anti-cancer properties and a good therapeutic effect on the body.
Unlike coffee, the amount of caffeine present in Matcha tea is excellent for boosting energy.
This tea also prevents eye disorder by improving catechins absorption in eye tissue.
Side Effects
Just like all other green tea, Matcha tea could trigger some allergic reactions due to excessive intake.
The caffeine present in the tea can invoke some reaction, thus leading to diarrhea, stomach disorder, and so on.
Sencha Green Tea
Sencha tea is a popular yellow tea with a delicious and soothing flavor. The taste of sencha tea depends on the following factors:
- The composition and quality of the raw materials used in making it and
- the processing method.
However, depending on the processing method employed, sencha tea can be further divided into Asamushi Sencha, Fukamushi Sencha, and the Chumushi Sencha.
All differ in terms of taste and appearance.
The tea also contains excellent quantity of nutritional values for proper well-being.
This includes anti-oxidants (catechins) together with minerals like Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and Vitamin C.
Health Benefits
The good quantity of caffeine in Sencha helps stimulate effective body metabolism. It speeds up fat conversion, reduces the risk of cancer and also lowers blood pressure.
It also helps to prevent heart complications such as heart attack, cardiovascular disease and so on.
The presence of Vitamin C helps improves body immune system, prevent infections and bacteria attack. The anti-oxidants in Sencha protect the skin against radiant, reduce wrinkles and skin dehydration.
Side Effects
The common side effects of green tea containing caffeine include anxiety, headache, and dizziness. These symptoms have been reported for Sencha upon excessive intake.
It is also not recommended for pregnant woman.
Bancha Green Tea
Bancha green tea is a very nutritious green tea with similar processing and cultivating method with sencha.
Unlike sencha, it is popularly made from the third or fourth harvest of the older green tea leaves and from the lower shoots of the green tea plants.
Bancha contain valuable minerals for proper functioning of the body.
The nutritionist has recommended this tea to a large number of people suffering from diseases related to deficiencies in Vitamins, minerals supplements and so on.
Even though the tea tastes slightly bitter, it is among the most consumed tea in Japan.
Health Benefits
Although tea made from lower shoots generally contains low catechin, continuous exposure of the leave to sunlight can help to increase the catechin contents.
Thus, the catechin in this tea can acts as an antiseptic agent which helps to prevent tooth decay when taken from time to time.
Bancha tea is a good detoxifier which prevents the human body against toxins released by harmful bacteria.
It also improves the proper functioning of the liver and kidney and also aids weight reduction by facilitating fat burning process in the body.
Side Effects
There are no observable side effects with Bancha tea. But, it is advisable to consume it in moderation so as to prevent complications.
Kukicha Green Tea
This is another type of Japanese green tea, known to contain various elements that help to keep the body in proper shape.
Elements like Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Fluoride and a good number of Vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Niacin, Vitamin A, along with Theanine and Catechin are present in the tea.
Another intriguing fact about Kukicha tea is that the stems and branches have undergone series of caffeine annihilation (decaffeination).
Therefore, they contain little or no caffeine (kukicha tea is between 0.5 and 1% caffeine).
Health Benefits
Kukicha green tea offers great benefits to mankind. It helps build up bone density due to good calcium content, reduces blood pressure, fights bacterial infection and tooth decay.
Due to the presence of polyphenols, it helps to reduce harmful free radicals in the skin. Therefore, reduce the risk of cancer.
It also prevents sun damage and slows body aging.
Side Effects
Kukicha green tea has no observable side effects. The low concentration of caffeine helps reduce the side effects.
However, it should be taken in moderate quantities by patients suffering from low blood pressure. This is because kukicha naturally reduces blood pressure.
Hojicha Green Tea
Hojicha green tea originated in Kyoto, Japan. It is arguably one of the best Japanese tea which is produced through the process of pan-frying.
This process gives the tea toasty flavor and distinctive aroma.
Unlike other green teas, Hojicha tea (also known as Houjicha) is decaffeinated through the process of pan-frying and it is characterised with a mild taste making it a suitable tea for children as well as the aged.
Health Benefits
Hojicha tea strengthens the body’s immune system against attacks from external agents. The extracts of the tea leaf possess anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.
The tea also contains a good measure of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E which helps increase body performance.
Due to low affinity for caffeine, it helps to lower the risk of cancer, protect the teeth against infections and guards the heart against disease.
Hojicha tea is an excellent stress reliever through the release of L-theanine. This compound helps in relieving mental and physical stress.
Patient with arthritis can as well depend on Hojicha for cure of joint inflammation. It helps ease pain and prevent further joint damage.
Side effects
Hojicha green tea also contains little or no caffeine free. There are no side effects in particular but should be taken with caution.
Genmaicha Green Tea
Genmaicha is arguably the most available and cheap variety of green tea in Japan.
It is usually characterized with brown rice kernel appearance which turns yellow upon brewing.
The tea has a characteristic aroma of roasted rice and bitter taste.
The health benefits of Genmaicha has made it the center of admiration among others.
Health Benefits
Genmaicha contains anti-oxidants such as carotenoids and ascorbic acid that helps boost immune system. This tea contains a considerable amount of selenium, an element which helps reduce pain associated with asthma.
It also helps regulate thyroid hormones such that without enough selenium, you may experience irritability, poor vision, muscle weakness, fatigue, sleeping problems, dry skin, and more.
This green tea also helps reduce the level of toxins in the blood stream. Patients suffering from hypertension can also depend on this tea for its blood pressure reduction. It slows down the attack of some cancerous cells.
It helps enhance calmness and tissue relaxation, giving a soothing experience after consumption.
Side Effects
Excessive intake of Genmaicha tea can have chronic effects in low blood pressure patients due to its low blood pressure reduction properties.
A pregnant woman should abstain from taking this tea to avoid complications.
Is Japanese green tea good or bad for you?
Japanese green tea is actually good for you as it has many health benefits to offer. This is because of the presence of a bioflavonoid called catechin in the tea leaves.
While all Japanese teas have catechin in them, the maximum amount is found in Sencha. To get the complete benefits of catechin from the tea, ensure that you add water within the temperature range of 75 to 80 degrees Celsius.
The benefits of catechin include the following:
- Possesses antioxidant properties that fight damage causing free radicals in the body
- Helps reduce cholesterol
- Promotes fat metabolism
- Prevents infections with its ability to sterilize
- Prevents bad breath and cavities
Green tea also has theanine in it which is an amino acid. It is surprising to know that among all plants, this particular amino acid is made only by the tea plant Camellia Sinensis.
Theanine helps in soothing the mind and allows you to focus better. It is nothing astounding about the fact that when you are mentally relaxed, you can perform better.
Theanine increases the level of the hormone dopamine that positively affects the brain functioning including memory.
Now, green tea also contains caffeine. So, how come it is so relaxing? Well, it is because of theanine that the effect of caffeine is countered. This is why you don’t feel jittery when you consume green tea.
Apart from catechin and theanine, Japanese green tea also has vitamin C and minerals. The vitamin C helps in keeping the skin healthy and blemish-free.
The mineral content of Japanese green tea includes manganese, potassium, and calcium. Each of which has different roles to play in the functioning of the body.
Which is the best Japanese green tea?
The Japanese teas mentioned above have their own distinct characteristics and flavor due to varying cultivation and processing methods. It would be difficult to pick one and crown it as the best green tea in Japan.
However, you can ensure that the tea you purchase is of the best quality by choosing loose leaf tea. You can also get an idea of its freshness by inhaling its aroma.
If it is a bright and crisp one, you should definitely purchase the tea. An easy way out is to entrust the task to the tea producer.
Choose a brand that you feel is reliable and follows the right procedure of cultivation and processing. This way you will know that you have bought the best Japanese green tea!
A few recommendations though…