TEA GUIDE

Discover the tradition, brewing techniques, and wellness benefits of authentic Japanese tea. Whether you're new to green tea or a long-time tea lover, our Tea Guide will help you enjoy every cup its fullest.

What is green tea?

Japanese green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is carefully steamed shortly after harvest to preserve its vibrant green color, fresh aroma, and natural nutrients. This unique steaming process gives Japanese green tea its distinctive smooth, umami-rich flavor and bright character.

For centuries, green tea has been an important part of daily life and culture in Japan. From refreshing everyday teas like sencha to premium matcha used in traditional tea ceremonies, each variety offers its own unique taste and experience.

Shincha (新茶) literally means "new tea." It is the very first tea produced from the first harvest of the year, typically picked between late April and early May in Japan, depending on the region and weather. Shincha is made from the youngest, most tender tea leaves of the season. After the winter months, the tea plants store nutrients, resulting in leaves that are rich in flavour and aroma. First Pick (also called First Harvest, First Flush, or Ichibancha (一番茶) in Japanese) refers to the first crop of tea leaves harvested each spring.

Types of Japanese Tea

Matcha – Stone-ground green tea powder with a rich umami flavor. Great for traditional tea, lattes, and desserts.
Sencha – Japan's most popular green tea with a fresh, balanced taste.
Genmaicha – Green tea blended with roasted brown rice for a warm, nutty flavor.
Hojicha – Roasted green tea with low bitterness and a comforting roasted aroma.
Kukicha- Made by separating only the stems and veins of green tea leaves.
Bancha – A mild everyday tea with lower caffeine than sencha.
Flavoured Green Tea – Japanese green tea blended with natural flavours like yuzu, peach, or lemon for a refreshing twist.

Brewing Guide

NOTE: Brewing time and tea quantity can always be adjusted to suite your personal taste.

Sencha70–80°C 3g 200ml 1–2 min
Genmaicha 80–90°C 3g 200ml 30–60 sec
Hojicha 90–95°C 3g 200ml 30 sec
Bancha 90°C 3g 200ml 30–60 sec

Health Benefits

Japanese green tea is often called a SUPERFOOD because it contains a highly balanced concentration of health promoting compounds such as Vitamin, Minerals and polyphenols. Rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, green tea helps protect the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It also contains L-theanine, a unique amino acid that promotes a sense of calm and relaxation while supporting mental focus and alertness.

Green tea provides a gentle source of natural caffeine, offering steady energy without the sharp peaks and crashes often associated with coffee. Many people enjoy it as a balanced way to stay refreshed throughout the day.

Regularly drinking Japanese green tea as part of a healthy lifestyle may support overall wellness. Different varieties offer unique characteristics—for example, matcha contains the whole tea leaf in powdered form, while hojicha and bancha are naturally lower in caffeine, making them excellent choices for the afternoon or evening.

While green tea is not a substitute for medical care or a balanced diet, it has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries as part of a healthy daily routine, combining exceptional flavor with a long tradition of well-being.

How to store tea

Keep tea away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odors.
Store in an airtight container.
Refrigerate only unopened packages if storing long term.
Once opened, keep at room temperature in a cool, dry place and enjoy within a few months for the best flavor.

Matcha Guide

Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from specially grown tea leaves. Unlike traditional loose-leaf tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is whisked directly into water, allowing you to consume the entire tea leaf. This creates a rich, smooth beverage with a vibrant green color and a naturally sweet, umami flavor.

What Makes Matcha Special?

Before harvest, the tea plants are shaded for several weeks to increase chlorophyll and amino acid levels. The leaves are then carefully harvested, steamed, dried, and stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder. This traditional process produces matcha's distinctive color, aroma, and flavor.

Ceremonial Grade vs. Culinary Grade

Ceremonial Grade

Made from the youngest, highest-quality tea leaves
Smooth, naturally sweet, and rich in umami
Best enjoyed traditionally with hot water

Culinary Grade

Slightly bolder and more robust in flavor
Perfect for matcha lattes, smoothies, baking, desserts, and cooking
Designed to maintain its flavor when mixed with milk or other ingredients

How to Prepare Traditional Matcha (Usucha)

Sift 2–4 g of matcha into a bowl.
Add 30–70 ml of water at 70–80°C (158–176°F).
Whisk briskly in a "W" motion using a bamboo whisk until a fine layer of foam forms.
Enjoy immediately for the freshest flavor and aroma.

Tip: Avoid boiling water, as it can make matcha taste bitter and reduce its delicate aroma.

Health Benefits of Matcha

Because you consume the entire tea leaf, matcha provides a concentrated source of the natural compounds found in green tea, including antioxidants and L-theanine. It offers:

Powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress

Calm, focused energy from the combination of natural caffeine and L-theanine

A smooth, sustained energy boost without the sudden crash often associated with coffee

A simple way to enjoy the natural benefits of green tea as part of a healthy lifestyle.

How to Enjoy Matcha

Matcha is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

Traditional hot matcha (Usucha)

Matcha latte

Iced matcha

Smoothies

Baking and desserts

Ice cream and confectionery

Whether you're looking for a mindful tea ritual or a vibrant ingredient for your favorite recipes, matcha offers a delicious way to experience the authentic taste and tradition of Japanese tea.

Caffeine Guide

Matcha: High
Sencha: Medium
Genmaicha: Low–Medium
Bancha: Low
Hojicha: Very Low
Coffee: Very High

A Year in the Tea Fields

🌱 First Harvest (Ichibancha) – April to May

The highest quality tea

Picked from the first flush of new spring leaves.
Rich in natural sweetness and umami.
Smooth, vibrant, and full of fresh aroma.
Ideal for premium sencha and ceremonial-grade matcha.

Best for: Tea lovers seeking the finest Japanese tea experience.

🌿 Second Harvest (Nibancha) – June to July

Harvested after the first flush.
Slightly stronger and more refreshing flavor.
Good balance of quality and value.
Often enjoyed as an everyday tea.

Best for: Daily tea drinking.

🍃 Third Harvest (Sanbancha) – July to August

More mature leaves with a bolder taste.
Less sweetness and umami.
Commonly used for food service, blends, or culinary purposes.

Best for: Everyday use and cooking.

🍂 Autumn Harvest (Aki Bancha) – September to October

Made from mature leaves picked later in the season.
Mild, smooth flavor with lower caffeine.
Often used for bancha or roasted teas such as hojicha.

Best for: Relaxing evening tea.

Why Shizuoka Tea?

Shizuoka is Japan's largest tea-producing region and is renowned for its exceptional quality green tea. Blessed with a mild climate, mountain mist, and fertile soil, the region produces teas celebrated for their vibrant aroma, smooth umami, and balanced flavor. At Hasegawa Trading Co., we proudly work with trusted tea producers in Shizuoka to bring authentic Japanese tea directly to Canada.

From Tea Fields to Your Cup

Every cup of our tea begins in the beautiful tea fields of Shizuoka, Japan. Throughout the year, skilled tea farmers carefully nurture each tea plant, ensuring every leaf reaches its full potential.

When the first harvest arrives, only carefully selected young tea leaves are picked at their peak freshness. The leaves are then expertly steamed, rolled, dried, and, for our matcha, slowly stone-milled into a fine powder using traditional Japanese techniques.

After rigorous quality checks, our teas are carefully packaged in Japan to preserve their freshness and authentic flavour. They are then imported directly to Canada, where we proudly share the craftsmanship and passion of our trusted Shizuoka tea producers.

From the dedication of the farmers to the care taken in every step of production, each cup reflects generations of Japanese tea tradition.

From Shizuoka's tea fields to your cup, every sip tells a story of authenticity, craftsmanship, and passion.

* Our FAQ page provides quick answers to common questions about Japanese tea, matcha, our products, ordering, shipping, and what makes Hasegawa Trading Co. different. It's the fastest way to find the information you need.

FAQ