Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Green Tea


The beverage green tea is a "true" tea (i.e., Camellia sinensis) that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing.Green tea is popular in China, Korea, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Japan, Pakistan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Morocco, and the Middle East. Recently, it has become more widespread in the West, where traditionally black tea is consumed.


Japanese green teas


Green tea (Ryokucha (緑茶, ryokucha?)) is so ubiquitous in Japan that it is more commonly known as "tea" (ocha (お茶, ocha?)) and even "Japanese tea" (nihoncha (日本茶, nihoncha?)). Types of tea are commonly graded depending on the quality and the parts of the plant used as well as how they are processed. There are large variations in both price and quality within these broad categories, and there are many specialty green teas that fall outside this spectrum. The best Japanese green tea is said to be that from the Uji region of Kyoto[1]. Shizuoka Prefecture(静岡県)
玉露 Gyokuro (Jade Dew)
Selected from a grade of green tea known as Ten-cha (天茶), Gyokuro's name refers to the pale green color of the infusion. The leaves are grown in the shade before harvest, which alters their flavor.
抹茶 Matcha (rubbed tea)
A high-quality powdered green tea used primarily in the tea ceremony. Matcha is also a popular flavour of ice cream and other sweets in Japan.
煎茶 Sencha (broiled tea)
A common green tea in Japan made from leaves that are exposed directly to sunlight.
玄米茶 Genmaicha (Brown-Rice tea)
maicha and roasted genmai (brown rice) blend.
冠茶 Kabusecha (covered tea)
kabusecha is sencha tea, the leaves of which have grown in the shade prior to harvest, although not for as long as Gyokuro. It has a more delicate flavor than Sencha.
番茶 Bancha (common tea)
Sencha harvested as a second-flush tea between summer and autumn. The leaves are larger than Sencha and the flavour is less full.
焙じ茶 Hōjicha (pan fried tea)
A roasted green tea.
茎茶 Kukicha (stalk tea)
A tea made from stalks produced by harvesting one bud and three leaves.
玉緑茶 Tamaryokucha
A tea that has a tangy, berry-like taste, with a long almondy aftertaste and a deep aroma with tones of citrus, grass, and berries.
Okinawan Tea


Brewing
Generally, 2.25 grams of tea per 6 ounces of water, or about one teaspoon of green tea per cup, should be used. Green teas should be prepared with 180°F to 190°F (82°C to 88°C) water (not boiling) and steeped 2 to 3 minutes.