You can find sushi packs in the chilled corner in the most of supermarket nowadays. Sushi is very popular food in the western counties, isn't it? I rather not to ague about the quality of the sushi here. You know what I mean, if you are a true sushi lover or had an experience of sushi in Japan!!
Anyway, another boom recently is the green tea 緑茶. Most of tea traders sell green teas. Everybody now knows about a Matcha tea 抹茶, a strong powdered Japanese green tea usually for the tea ceremony 茶道 in Japan. Sometimes Matcha teas are used for baking, depending on the quality.
Green tea is a type of tea that is made from "Camellia sinensis" leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation and process used to make oolong and black tea. Green tea originated in China, but its production has spread to many countries in Asia. The green teas are mainly Chinese tea here in the UK. There're some differences between the Japanese green teas and the Chinese green teas.
While Chinese green tea was originally steamed, as it still is in Japan, after the early Ming Dynasty it has typically been processed by being pan-fired in a dry wok.
Most of the Chinese green tea is half oxidized/fermented. Black tea is fully oxidized/fermented.
Kuki-cha 茎茶 top right - stems and leaves of the tea plants.
Sen-chi 煎茶 bottom left - leaf teas
- usually, if you're saying "tea" is this tea, sen-cha, in Japan.
There're many different types of the tea in Japan.
I don't think that not many people know how to consume the Japanese green tea 日本茶 traditionally or properly here. Of course, as long as you enjoy it, that doesn't matter how to do it.
However, I suggest that you try the traditional way in the first time tasting the tea, then you can choose your way to drink. Because the Japanese green tea is very very sensitive taste, depending on the quality and how to storing and brewing.
I will introduce the Japanese green tea to you here. Step by step.
Anyway, another boom recently is the green tea 緑茶. Most of tea traders sell green teas. Everybody now knows about a Matcha tea 抹茶, a strong powdered Japanese green tea usually for the tea ceremony 茶道 in Japan. Sometimes Matcha teas are used for baking, depending on the quality.
Green tea is a type of tea that is made from "Camellia sinensis" leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation and process used to make oolong and black tea. Green tea originated in China, but its production has spread to many countries in Asia. The green teas are mainly Chinese tea here in the UK. There're some differences between the Japanese green teas and the Chinese green teas.
While Chinese green tea was originally steamed, as it still is in Japan, after the early Ming Dynasty it has typically been processed by being pan-fired in a dry wok.
Most of the Chinese green tea is half oxidized/fermented. Black tea is fully oxidized/fermented.
Kuki-cha 茎茶 top right - stems and leaves of the tea plants.
Sen-chi 煎茶 bottom left - leaf teas
- usually, if you're saying "tea" is this tea, sen-cha, in Japan.
There're many different types of the tea in Japan.
Tea brewing set and tea leaves.
Japan shares some history with China for centuries.
Japan shares some history with China for centuries.
Tea is one of them. Tea seeds brought to Japan from China first time by the buddhist monks, Saicho and Kukai, in the beginning 9th century. Emperor Saga introduced the practice of drinking tea to the imperial family but a buddhist monk Eisai advocated that all people drinking tea for the health benefits. Japan's oldest and most expensive high quality teas are from Uji area in Kyoto prefecture.
I don't think that not many people know how to consume the Japanese green tea 日本茶 traditionally or properly here. Of course, as long as you enjoy it, that doesn't matter how to do it.
However, I suggest that you try the traditional way in the first time tasting the tea, then you can choose your way to drink. Because the Japanese green tea is very very sensitive taste, depending on the quality and how to storing and brewing.
I will introduce the Japanese green tea to you here. Step by step.
