Japanese and Chinese green tea differences

Japanese & Chinese Tea Differences

Japanese and Chinese green tea both come from the same Camellia sinensis tea plant. The main difference is the way the leaves are processed. Chinese harvesters pan-fry the leaves in a large wok.

Japanese Green Tea Leaves are Dried Naturally

Japanese green teas are steamed, dried, and then rolled into various shapes until they are completely dry. This is an efficient method for preventing the oxidation of flavonoids and polyphenols that gives Japanese green tea its flavor and health-enhancing properties.

Steamed Japanese green tea

Processing this way stops fresh leaves from oxidation and fermentation.

Japanese green tea is not pan fried. It is steamed to prevent oxidation
Japan Originated Shading Plants to Make Gyokuro

Gyokuro leaves

Matcha comes from specially-handled gyokuro leaves (tencha). Tencha is stone-ground into a fine powder.

Japanese Matcha

More on gyokuro and matcha

Green Tea & Matcha Catalog

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