Green tea is a beloved Japanese tradition that is cherished worldwide. When you visit Japan, you can enjoy it in various ways, making it an excellent choice as a souvenir as well. In this article, I’d like to introduce the wonders of green tea.
Green Tea Abroad: Not Always Green?
You may have experienced this before, but green tea served abroad is not always green. Instead, it tends to have a more yellowish color. The photo here shows the green tea I had at a hotel in a certain country. Its taste was more similar to jasmine tea than traditional Japanese green tea. While it was still delicious and paired well with Western sweets, it may not offer the authentic green tea experience. So, if you can’t find authentic green tea in your country, definitely try it in Japan!
Japanese Green Tea
Among the various types of tea produced in Japan, green tea stands out as the most widely produced and consumed. It’s both a traditional drink and a part of modern Japanese life. While originally enjoyed warm, iced green tea is also popular nowadays and is sometime served free of charge at Japanese restaurants. Let me introduce the different choices you have when it comes to green tea in Japan.
Bottled Green Tea
You can find bottled green tea at convenience stores and supermarkets. Whether you prefer it cold or hot, you can choose accordingly based on the season and your preferences. It’s suitable for warming up during winter or refreshing yourself with an iced version in summer.
Powdered Green Tea
Recently, many brands have been selling powdered green tea that dissolves easily in water or hot water. They are compact, making them an excellent souvenir choice.
Tea Bags
Tea bags are also a popular choice for enjoying green tea. Most of them are meant for hot water, while some are for cold brewing as well. I often buy tea bags for everyday use at home, and during my time living abroad, I would purchase them from Japan to bring back with me. They are also great souvenirs!
Traditional Way – Green Tea Leaves
This is the most authentic and traditional way to enjoy green tea in Japan. Using a teapot called “Kyusu,” you put tea leaves and hot water, wait a bit, then pour it into a Japanese teacup. The taste and aroma vary significantly depending on the type of tea leaves, steeping time, and water temperature etc. This is the best way to truly savor green tea. The most well known and renowned green tea leaf is “Gyokuro,” but there are many other brands available. If you don’t have a Kyusu or Japanese teapot, a regular teapot you have can be used as a substitute. For those particularly interested in green tea, consider buying several types of tea leaves as souvenirs.
Tea Ceremonies
When you hear “green tea” in Japan, you might imagine traditional tea ceremonies. For Japanese people, however, this is likely the least familiar way of enjoying green tea, and I haven’t experienced it myself either. It’s the most sophisticated way of drinking Japanese green tea, requiring special venues and tools, as well as expertise in preparing the tea. The tea used in these ceremonies is called “Matcha,” and even Japanese people find it bitter. There are places where tourists can experience tea ceremonies, so consider this quintessential Japanese cultural experience when you visit Japan!
Caffeine Content
Last but not least, green tea contains some caffeine, but the amount varies depending on the type of tea. If you’re drinking it at night or during pregnancy, be mindful of the caffeine content, or consider purchasing decaffeinated green tea.
