What Makes a Sencha Stand Out? A Deep Dive into Japan’s Most Beloved Green Tea

If you think all green teas are created equal, let me stop you right there: they’re not. And when it comes to Japanese green tea, sencha stands in a league of its own.

At Cue The Tea, we've been on a journey of tasting, sourcing, brewing (and yes, occasionally messing up the water temperature!). Through all this experimentation, one tea keeps calling us back: sencha. It's bright, fresh, and full of character, everything we love about a truly exceptional tea!

In response to Japanese Green Tea Co.'s post on the many benefits of sencha, we couldn’t agree more. Yes, sencha is packed with antioxidants and offers numerous health benefits, but we think there's so much more to this tea than just its health properties. Let's dive in and explore why sencha is a true standout!

1. It all starts with the soil

We were excited to read Japanese Green Tea Co.'s mention of how tea’s environment shapes its flavor. Like their post suggests, great tea begins with great soil. The best sencha comes from single-estate gardens where the soil is rich, and the environment supports the leaves' fullest potential. When tea plants grow in harmony with nature, you can taste that balance in every sip. It’s that depth and nuance from a well-tended tea garden that we cherish in our pursuit of the perfect cup.

We see sencha as a reflection of the land it comes from—whether it’s the highland gardens of Uji or the rolling hills of Kagoshima. The unique environment and care that go into growing these leaves are what make each cup of sencha so memorable.

Inserting Chef's Kiss here!

2. The art of deep steaming

Japanese Green Tea Co. talks about the different types of sencha and how they vary in flavor. We love how they mentioned fukamushi—or deep-steamed sencha—as one of the key varieties. Here’s where we think we can add to the conversation: while fukamushi is indeed a process that reduces astringency and adds richness, it’s also a defining characteristic of what makes certain sencha varieties more complex and satisfying than others.

The extended steaming time breaks down the leaves more than standard sencha, resulting in a richer, almost velvety mouthfeel and an infusion that boasts a deep emerald colour. Mm-hmm.

Wait up, but it’s not just about the appearance. Deep steaming enhances the tea’s natural sweetness and gives the flavor more body. You’ll find layers of gentle umami, subtle astringency, a touch of grassy bitterness, and a long, sweet finish. It’s the kind of tea you don’t just sip—you sit with it.

The vibrantly green sencha loose leaves

3. A fragrance worth praising for

One of our favorite things about fukamushi sencha is its aroma. The tender, vibrant leaves release a fragrance that’s both sweet and earthy—almost like matcha. If you’ve ever imagined washing your face with ceremonial-grade matcha and manuka honey (not that anyone really does), you’ll grasp the heavenly intensity of sencha. It’s a fragrance that invites you to pause, inhale deeply and savour the moment

If you’re curious about what makes sencha so special, or you’re looking to explore Japanese green tea on a deeper level, we’d love to share the journey with you. Join us in discovering the richness of Japanese tea now!

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