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Sencha
Sencha is the most popular
type of tea in Japan today. In both quality and price Sencha has a wide variety.
High quality Sencha is served only on special occasions. Sencha of average
quality is for everyday use and is commonly found in every household and office.
The tea buds begin growing in April and the leaves are mature in July.
Immediately after the leaves are picked they are
steamed, rolled, and then dried until they become like green needles. They make
a splendid tea with a mixture of subtle sweetness, bitterness and fresh green
scent. The color when poured is light green. The better the tea quality, the
more the boiled water should be cooled before steeping. Also, when the steeping
time is longer, use less water. The best taste is produced from high quality tea
by using this lower steeping temperature, which protects it from the bitterness
and astringency that comes from
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Choosing the water
The main factor determining the tea, taste, and aroma,
is water. Even the best quality tea can easily be ruined with unsuitable water.
Since days of old, tea masters have paid great attention to the selection of the
most suitable water for making tea. There is a story of a famous tea master,
Ogawa Kashin, who was able to predict the weather based on subtle changes in the
delicate taste of tea. The best tea water is believed to come from springs high
in mountain valleys. In fact, we recommend that you try our tea with various
waters and then choose one which most appeals to you. Distilled water is not
highly recommended for tea. Definitely unsuitable for tea making is hard water
containing lime or one with too much salinity, oxidized magnesium, iron, or
water that is highly chlorinated or fluoridated.
Heating the Water
The important point in heating the tea water is to
bring it to a full boil so that the water temperature is 100C throughout. Just
warmed water, or water not brought to a full boil, ruins the genuine taste of
tea. Even though the water is heated thoroughly it should not be boiled too
long. For Sencha the water should be cooled slightly before using.
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