My obsession with Japanese green tea started when my parents bought me back a small tin of matcha tea from Japan when they visited about 5 years ago. Not only was the tin beautiful in itself but the potent green powder inside became my absolute go-to for a 4pm pick me up from that moment onwards. Japanese green tea, up until that point, wasn’t something I knew much about, however, my new love of matcha led me down a road of discovery – I had found a drink that was doing amazing things for my health, but that also helped me to feel calm yet focused. So, just what is it about Japanese green tea that makes it so world-renowned, let me tell you… 

The Health Benefits of Japanese Green Tea

Packed full of antioxidants and other health-enriching nutrients, Japanese green tea has been known for its health benefits for some time. Japanese green teas, such as matcha and sencha, are renowned for their high antioxidant content, particularly catechins. These substances help fight stress, remove harmful molecules in the body, and support overall cell health. Research has even shown that antioxidant compounds account for as much as 30% of the dry weight of green tea. Other research conducted in 2015 found that drinking Japanese green tea also contributed to the healthy function of the liver, especially Japanese green teas like hojicha. One of the main reasons you hear so many people trading in their coffee for a cup of Japanese green tea is because of its unique ability to help us stay alert without giving us the jitters. This is down to its composition of L-theanine and caffeine in balanced proportions. This distinctive combination enhances cognitive function, improving alertness and concentration without the jittery side effects often associated with high-caffeine beverages. There are a host of other incredible health benefits that Japanese green tea is associated with; cancer prevention; blood sugar management; boosting digestive health and its anti-inflammatory effect it has on the body are just a few. Rest assured that if you swap your daily coffee for a cup of Japanese green tea (no matter what the form) your body will thank you for it. 

The Different Types of Japanese Green Tea

Although all the different types of Japanese green tea offer health benefits, there are lots of different types with around 5 main ones to choose from and you might find yourself favouring one over another. 

Matcha

Probably the most well-known of the Japanese green teas, Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves carefully ground into a beautiful fine powder. Matcha preparation involves whisking the powder with hot water, creating a frothy and vibrant green tea and you can often find it paired with milk to create a matcha latte. This is actually my favourite type and I can get through at least one or two matcha teas a day. I really love Sayuri as a brand that offers an incredible range of matcha products. From ritual kits to chocolate, the quality is exceptional which is important when it comes to the health benefits it offers – higher quality = better health benefits.

Sencha

Probably the most widely consumed in Japan, Sencha comes as dried tea leaves and has a fresh, grassy flavour. This is the one likely to be found in your tea bags.

Hojicha

This one is a little different from other green teas – for a start it’s not really green, but instead more reddish-brown in colour due to the unique roasting process. It is very gentle on the stomach and contains less caffeine so can be drunk later in the day for those who find their sleep is affected by drinking caffeine too late in the day. 

Gyokuro

Sweet and high in caffeine, this tea is best drunk in the morning. Gyokuro is shaded from the sun for several weeks before harvest which enhances its production of chlorophyll and amino acids and is great at reducing stress and boosting the body’s antioxidant value. It also contains plenty of L-Theanine (known for its calming effects) and is described as UMAMI, which means “delicious savoury taste” in Japanese and is often described as the meaty, savoury deliciousness that deepens flavour.

Genmaicha

Nicknamed “popcorn tea”, Genmaicha is a traditional Japanese green tea that is made up of a unique blend of green tea leaves and roasted rice – hence the popcorny texture as some of the grains or rice tend to pop like popcorn during the roasting process. Lower in caffeine than the others this is a tea that can also be drunk at all times of day.

Embrace the Japanese Green Tea Ritual

One of the things that I have loved the most about my obsession with Japanese green tea is the ritual around it. I have done classes on how to make the best matcha latte and learned about the temperature the water should be when making the perfect cup of green tea, but it is the ritual around it that has been one of the most fulfilling aspects. Sayuri, a brand founded by a Tokyo born, New York bred businesswoman, Yuri ‘Yureeka’ Yasuda, is also as passionate about the way in which the tea is made as she is the quality of the tea she sells. Mindfulness, reflection and calm all are an important part of the green tea ritual, and an even more important part of my daily life now. Follow Sayuri’s guide on how to make the perfect green tea here.

There are plenty of fantastic places you can buy Japanese green tea, but here are some of our favourites:

Clearspring
Tencha
Matchado
MoiCha
Moya Matcha
Cuzen
Nishiura East
Sayuri