How to Find the Best Green Tea

Japanese green tea is renowned for its exceptional quality, attributed to a meticulous production process that captures the essence of its origin. At the heart of this tradition stands Yu Tea, embodying the fusion of heritage and the pursuit of health and wellness. With offerings like sencha, decaf sencha, matcha, decaf matcha, genmaicha, and hojicha, Yu Tea epitomizes the purity, quality and authenticity sought by tea connoisseurs and health enthusiasts alike.

>> Learn About: How Our Green Tea is Lead and Heavy Metal Free

The Distinctive Nature of Japanese Green Tea

Steaming vs. Roasting: Unlike other green teas, Japanese varieties are steamed, not roasted. This vital distinction lies in the steaming process that halts oxidation, locking in vibrant green hues and preserving nutrients. It's this steaming that ensures the leaves retain their antioxidants, offering a brew that's as beneficial as it is flavorful.

The Influence of Shade vs. Sun on Japanese Green Tea

Shade-Grown Teas: In the serene tea gardens of Japan, shade-grown teas like matcha and gyokuro are cultivated with a canopy that shields them from direct sunlight. This deliberate limitation of light alters the plant's photosynthesis, leading to an increase in chlorophyll, which not only gives the leaves their vibrant green color but also boosts the levels of certain amino acids like L-Theanine. L-Theanine, alongside natural caffeine, offers a unique profile of calm alertness without the jitteriness often associated with coffee. These shaded leaves, therefore, present a richer flavor, often described as umami, and a fuller, more complex profile of antioxidants.

Matcha Growing Under Shade
Yu's Matcha Growing Under Shade

Sun-Grown Teas: In contrast, sun-grown teas such as sencha and bancha bask in the full strength of the sun, developing a higher concentration of catechins, a type of antioxidant known for its health benefits including reduced inflammation and potential cancer-fighting properties. These teas exhibit a more pronounced astringency and a brisk, refreshing character. The ample sunlight reduces caffeine content, making these teas a suitable option for those who are sensitive to caffeine or prefer a lighter brew.

Sencha Growing in Sun
Yu's Sencha Growing in the Sun

Shade-Grown Delicacies

Matcha: The Zen in Powder Form

Yu Tea’s Matcha, always presented in powder form, is the pinnacle of shade-grown teas. It balances caffeine with L-Theanine to provide energy without the jitters, delivering the "Calm Alertness" cherished by Zen monks and Samurai warriors alike. Our Matcha is rich in chlorophyll and umami flavor, which is enhanced by a lengthy shading period before harvest. For a creamy and luxurious texture, whisk our Matcha with water between 150 to 175 ºF.

Sun-Kissed Sencha

Sencha and Sencha Decaf: The Essence of Sunlight

Sencha, the heart of Yu Tea’s collection, is grown under the full sun, ensuring a rich content of catechins. Our Sencha leaves, straight and vibrant, reflect minimal processing, capturing the tea’s natural substances. Yu Tea’s Sencha is available in both regular and decaf options, ensuring all the benefits without the caffeine. Our powdered form of Sencha allows for a quick and complete infusion of its nutrients and flavors.

>> Learn: About our Decaffeination Process at YU Health

Sencha Field Aerial
Yu's Sencha Fields From Above

Delving Deeper into Quality Determinants

The quality of Japanese green tea is not a matter of chance but a result of numerous deliberate and controlled processes that include:

Harvest Timing: The first pick, or ichibancha, offers the youngest and most tender leaves, yielding the highest quality with a delicate flavor and potent nutrients. Subsequent picks, such as nibancha and sanbancha, have more mature leaves with different flavor profiles and a decrease in certain nutrient levels.

Picking Method: Handpicking is a labor-intensive tradition that reflects an artisanal approach to tea harvesting, allowing for selective picking that ensures only the best leaves are chosen. Machine harvesting is more efficient but can't match the discernment of skilled tea pickers.

Cultivation Practices: Organic farming eschews synthetic chemicals, fostering a natural environment that not only benefits the tea but also supports a sustainable ecosystem. Yu Tea's commitment to organic practices affirms our dedication to purity and environmental responsibility.

Grinding Method: The traditional stone grinding of matcha is a slow, cool process that prevents nutrient loss from heat, preserving the tea's flavor, color, and healthful properties. Modern methods may be faster, but they can't replicate the quality produced by the gentle friction of granite stones.

Packaging and Storage: Proper packaging and storage are critical to maintaining freshness. Yu Tea utilizes airtight, opaque packaging to shield our teas from light and oxygen, ensuring that the last cup is as fresh as the first.

Each step in the journey from leaf to cup is crafted with care, reflecting Yu Tea's philosophy that a great tea is not made but rather brought forth through respect for tradition, nature, and our patrons' health. Our rigorous standards for quality determinants set Yu Tea apart, offering a tea experience that is truly unparalleled.

A Spectrum of Japanese Green Teas

While Yu Tea specializes in a select range, the world of Japanese green tea is vast:

  1. Matcha: Shade-grown, matcha is celebrated for its creamy texture and umami-rich profile. Yu Tea offers ceremonial grade organic matcha, a testament to tradition and quality.

  2. Gyokuro: Known as "jade dew," this tea represents the pinnacle of shade-grown teas with its profound umami and delicate sweetness.

  3. Sencha: The quintessence of sun-grown teas, sencha presents a balance of sweetness and astringency, embodying the freshness of the leaves with a needle-like precision in shape.

  4. Fukamushi Sencha: A deeper steaming process breaks down the leaves, offering a broth-like infusion packed with antioxidants.

  5. Shincha: The coveted first flush of sencha, shincha's youthfulness captures the essence of spring with a fresh, invigorating taste.

  6. Bancha: Harvested later, bancha provides a more robust and earthy cup, reflecting the maturity of its leaves.

  7. Kukicha: Stem tea, or "twig tea," kukicha is sweet and mild, offering a different perspective on green tea flavors.

  8. Hojicha: Roasted to perfection, hojicha is characterized by a toasty aroma and a comforting warmth, suitable for evening relaxation.

  9. Genmaicha: A blend of sencha and toasted rice, genmaicha delivers a unique, nutty flavor that compliments the vegetal notes of green tea.

Yu Tea is your gateway to this diverse world. Through our carefully selected range, we offer a pure, organic experience that stands at the intersection of tea and well-being. We invite you to indulge in the authentic flavors and embrace the health benefits that our teas bring to your cup.