China Lung Ching
China Lung Ching
A rare pleasure for tea connoisseurs when the typical light tartness of green tea combines with a flurry of freshness    
£16.60
5
Chun Mee / Green Tea
Chun Mee
Green Tea
A superb green tea with unique character, fresh and tart Sold in 100g bag
£5.90
5

China Dao Ren Feng Organic
Organic
China Dao Ren Feng
Organic
Superbly fragrant Green tea with tart fruity notes Sold in 100g bag
£12.60
China Yin Zhen Silver Needle Organic
Organic
China Yin Zhen
Silver Needle Organic
Exceptional high quality white tea with gentle, stunning floral notes A special white tea that enhances the senses Sold in 50g bags
£17.40
5

Japan Genmaicha Yukihime Organic
Organic
Japan Genmaicha Yukihime Organic
Green Tea
Introducing our new Genmaicha Organic - Japanese Sencha blended with roasted popped rice  Also known as 'brown rice tea' Sold in 100g bags  
£12.20
5
Japan Kukicha
New
Japan Kukicha
Green Tea
A definitive Japanese green tea with a refreshing and pleasant character. Sold in 100g bag

Japanese Matcha 'Hisui' Organic
Organic
Japanese Matcha 'Hisui' Organic
Organic Matcha, mild, fruity and delicately tart. A delightful experience for every matcha lover.  Sold in 100g bags  
£21.40
5
Japan Sencha
Japan Sencha
A typically tasty Japanese Sencha. 'Sencha' meaning steamed tea Sold in 100g 
£11.20
5

Japan Sencha Special / Green Tea
Japan Sencha Special
Green Tea
A superb Japanese Sencha with sweet, fragrant character Sold in 100g bag
£11.60
Ronnefeldt Fancy Sencha Organic
Organic
Ronnefeldt Fancy Sencha Organic
A favourite amongst Japanese green teas is this exquisite tea Sold in 100g bag
£20.40
5

Ronnefeldt Bancha Organic
Organic
Ronnefeldt Bancha Organic
A refreshing tea with typical Japanese character Sold in 100g bag
£6.90
5
Ronnefeldt Green Dragon Lung Ching Organic
Organic
Ronnefeldt Green Dragon Lung Ching
Organic
An exquisite example of a lightly tart organic green tea  Sold in 100g bags
£17.20
3

Sweet Pi Lo Chun Organic / Green Tea
Organic
Sweet Pi Lo Chun Organic
Green Tea
A delightful green tea with hints of light fruitiness Sold in 100g and 1kg bulk bags Please decant 1kg bags into an airtight container as soon as possible following receipt
from £8.90
5
Althaus Grand Lung Bai Cha Tea BagsAlthaus Grand Lung Bai Cha Tea Bags
Grand Lung Bai Cha
Tea Bags
A rare pleasure for green tea connoisseurs with a mild aromatic taste, a delicate sweetness and nutty, slightly smoky nuances. Ideal Serving for Teapots around .045l.    
£7.40
5

Althaus Grand Sencha Senpai Tea BagsAlthaus Grand Sencha Senpai Tea Bags
New
Grand Sencha Senpai
Tea Bags
A wonderfully delicate and tangy green tea composition.  Ideal Serving for Teapots around .045l.    
from £7.40
Althaus Sencha Select Organic Green Teabags Deli PackAlthaus Sencha Select Organic Green Teabags Deli Pack
Organic
Sencha Select Organic
Green Teabags
Deli Pack
Superb Chinese Sencha showcasing the typical character of a fresh, grassy Sencha.  1 box contains 20 teabags 
£4.30

Althaus China Zhu Cha Green Teabags Deli PackAlthaus China Zhu Cha Green Teabags Deli Pack
China Zhu Cha
Green Teabags
Deli Pack
Classic green tea in a handy teabag format Fresh, grassy slightly bitter notes The box contains 20 tea bags
£4.30
Ronnefeldt Tea-Caddy®
Lung Ching Tea Bags
Delicate leaf buds picked by hand for this rare, delicately tart yet refreshing tea Packed in servings of 100 (5 boxes of 20 teabags) For use in teapots up to 0.45L  
Was £45.70 Now £28.00

Althaus Matcha LatteAlthaus Matcha Latte
Organic
Matcha Latte
Organic Matcha blended with grounded raw cane sugar to create this modern Japanese beverage.  sold in 300g tin. 
£24.00
Ronnefeldt Gunpowder Organic
Ronnefeldt Gunpowder Organic
A smooth green tea with an interesting process Sold in 100g bag
£5.80
3

The Unique Qualities of Japanese Green Tea

Japanese loose-leaf green tea is characterised by a fresh, tart flavour and a bright, grassy-green colour.

Tea plays an important part in Japanese culture, as seen in the famous tea ceremony. This is an important part of Japan's social fabric, providing a welcome chance for silent contemplation and spiritual refreshment.

There are many different types of Japanese tea that are well known and loved around the world. One of these being Sencha Green Tea, with its delicately sweet flavour, it is among the most popular green teas in Japan. Bancha green tea is also a well-liked green tea, drunk on a daily basis by many in Japan. As well as Matcha green tea which offers a concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants, also known for its rich flavor and vibrant color.

 

Harvesting and Production

There are many types of Green tea and the process varies depending on whichever Green tea you choose.

One thing to consider is that Green teas are known as unfermented teas. So, the fermentation process that takes place in most tea production is not present with green tea.

The most customary practice includes:

  • Withering: Once the tea leaves have been harvested, they are laid out and exposed to heat – whether this might be natural sunlight or a temperature-controlled room. This dries the leaves reducing any leftover moisture.
  • Steaming: In Japan, the tea leaves are steamed to stop oxidization and the fermentation process. This step in the production can be detrimental to the look, taste and aroma of the tea if not done properly.
  • Rolling: Once the heating process is complete the tea leaves are rolled into different shapes. Typically, the tea leaves will be rolled, twisted and then rolled again to give the tea leaves their characteristic needle shape.
  • Drying: The final process in production, after being rolled into various shapes the tea leaves are dried.

 

History of Japanese Green Tea

The relationship between Japan and tea is long, dating back to the 9th century when Buddhist monks brought the first tea seeds to the country!

The Zen Buddhist priest, Eisai, believed that all people should drink tea for its health benefits.

Uji is the most established tea producing region in Japan. Even today the most expensive and premium teas are still grown in the Uji region.

Interestingly, all commercial tea produced in Japan today is green tea! However, for a short time in the 19th & 20th centuries, black tea was also produced there.

 

 

 

 

How to Brew Japanese Green Tea

Whether you want to use the loose leaves or try a tea bag infusion, the standard process is the same.

  

Brewing Japanese Green Tea:

  1. Boil some freshly poured cold water
  2. Place the tea leaves in a tea strainer
  3. Pour the hot water over the leaves
  4. Steep the tea for the appropriate amount of time
  5. Strain the tea
  6. Sit back and enjoy!

 

Brewing Table

  Ranging from half a level teaspoon to 1 heaped teaspoon 

   2-3 minutes

   A range of colours including: Light Green, Pale Green, Green, Emerald Green, Dark Yellow, Pale Yellow, Yellow & Chartreuse.

 

NOTE: Please make sure to read the individual brewing instructions on each pack of tea.

Japanese green teas are some of the best in the world; delicate with mellow flavours that can be enjoyed any time of the day!

Our Japanese Green Tea favourites are:

 

     Fancy Sencha Organic                       Bancha Organic                                 Gabalong

 

  • Ronnefeldt Fancy Sencha Organic: An exquisite, delicately leafed Sencha: light green in the cup, with a continual but gentle breath of bitter sweetness.
  • Ronnefeldt Bancha Organic: A freshly tart, tangy, mildly grassy Japanese style tea made from larger leaves containing very little caffeine.
  • Ronnefeldt Gabalong: A typical grassy Japanese green tea speciality, drunk mainly for its health-giving properties