How to Brew Sencha Green Tea
Sencha is the classic Japanese green tea; it is one of the most popular in its homeland, where it has been enjoyed for centuries, and in recent decades it has spread internationally as a result of its refreshing, refined umami flavour and health benefits.
In this brewing guide, we break down how to brew Sencha tea, with a step-by-step guide and all the tips and tricks you’ll need.
What is Sencha Green Tea?
Like all Japanese green teas, Sencha is processed using steam, rather than the dry heat used in other teas. This creates the vegetal, almost spinachy flavour for which green tea is prized. After being steamed, Sencha tea is then gently machine-rolled and shaped into the customary thin, cylindrical form of tea leaf, which infuses tea with its refined, unique flavour.
Sencha, like all green tea, is full of health benefits, which you can learn the Top 6 Health Benefits of Green Tea.
No. 51 Japanese Sencha
A Great Taste award-winning luxury green tea picked from the treasured spring flush on a farm cultivated by Yoshi Tsutsumi. With a fresh grass and seaweed aroma, and sweet flavour with subtle umami astringency, it's a high-quality refreshing brew that can be enjoyed hot or cold at any time of day.
No. 69 Supreme Sencha
Our premium offering which received a Great Taste Award, made from the earliest spring harvest, the leaves are grown in full sunlight and are delicately hand-picked by experienced tea workers, before being processed via traditional Japanese methods.
Is Sencha Tea Healthy?
Sencha, like all green tea, is full of health benefits, due to it's high antioxidant content. It naturally contains caffeine, which can help your energy levels and mental focus, and contains a chemical known as L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress. Read to learn more about the Top 6 Health Benefits of Green Tea.
Brewing Guide: How to Brew The Perfect Cup of Sencha Tea
You can make the perfect cup of Sencha by following these simple steps to truly discover authentic Japanese green tea. It’s a straightforward tea to brew and enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
What Equipment Do You Need?
The best Sencha is typically loose-leaf or premium teabags. Though loose-leaf brewing may seem daunting, it really is simple with the right teaware. You will need;
An infuser
Infusers are easy to use, and best if you are just brewing one cup of tea for yourself. From our convenient One-Cup Infuser, designed for use on a range of cups and mugs, or our small and convenient Tea Scoop with Integrated Infuser these tools make brewing simple and sublime.
OR
A teapot
The traditional way to brew loose-leaf tea, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Our Easy Teapot with Integrated Infuser takes the essential elements of the traditional teapot and modernises them for easy, everyday use.
The Step-by-Step Process of Brewing Sencha Tea
Measure Tea Leaves:
Use 2-3 grams of Sencha tea leaves. Don't use much more than this, as too many tea leaves will make the cup too strong and bitter and are simply a waste.
Prepare Water:
Heat 200 ml of water to approximately 80°C (176°F). Any hotter than 80°C and the leaves will burn, and the taste will be bitter and unpleasant.
Steeping:
Place the tea leaves in your teapot or cup, then pour the hot water over them.
How long to brew Sencha tea:
Allow the tea to steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Any longer and the tea will be overly bitter.
Serve:
Once steeped, enjoy your freshly brewed Sencha. You can enjoy multiple infusions by slightly increasing the steeping time for subsequent brews.
How to Serve Sencha Green Tea
You can add a slice of lemon to green tea to enhance its flavour and introduce a bright, citrussy note.
Sencha tea is often consumed in Japanese restaurants and can be an excellent accompaniment to dishes such as fish and seafood, noodles and vegetarian dishes.
What About Sencha in Other Forms?
Sencha is delicious when cold-brewed; this gentler infusion method combats the natural bitterness and astringency, creating a tea that is light and invigorating. Read our blog to learn How To Make Cold Brew Tea.
You can cold brew tea with fruit for a naturally sweet and refreshing beverage, perfect as an alternative to sugary soft drinks. Discover our recipe for Mango and Pineapple Sencha Cold Brew.
To summarise on Sencha
Sencha may be a traditional brew, but with these brewing tips it fits perfectly into modern life.
If you're looking to surprise the green tea lover in your life, we offer our Sencha in our ever-popular giftsets! From our Tea Infuser Mug Gift For One featuring our convenient infuser mug and a stylish tea caddy, to our Easy Infuser Teapot with Luxury Loose Leaf Tea Caddies which offers a range of green teas alongside our best-selling Easy Teapot.
Explore our Green Tea Collection to discover the variety of this refined and vibrant tea.
