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Gyokuro is the tea produced through a process where, when about 2 to 3 new buds begin to open on the tea plant, a roof is placed above the plants for about 20 days, to allow them to grow in limited sunlight. By limiting the amount of light they receive while raising the new buds, the transformation of amino acids (theanine) into catechin is slowed, creating a less astringent flavor with great umami. The unique scent, reminiscent of seaweed, is a hallmark of the tea.In order to make a tasty brew, it’s best to use hot water which has cooled...

Drinking Hojicha Increases Alpha Waves in the Brain The NHK TV program Tameshite Gatten had an episode which introduced the health effects of the fragrance of Hojicha.In the episode, they investigated how relaxed the brain was after drinking both Hojicha and Rokucha.Hojicha is made from roasted Rokucha, and unroasted Rokucha typically contains a large amount of Theanine, and amino acid which relaxes the body. This is why drinking Rokucha is known to make it easier to relax.However, Hojicha only contains one hundredth of the Theanine in Rokucha, which makes it seem that it wouldn’t have the same relaxing power as...

I'm Keiji from KITANI TEA. Today I'm going to introduce a late inquiry from our customer.She said "There are some dusks on the tea. Is safe to drink?"Take a look at this picture. Yes, it looks like something are floating on the surface of the tea.That is said "tea's fuzz" and it proves the leaves were picked early in the harvest season. Japanese tea are usually picked about 3 times a year. The leaves picked at the first time of the year is called "first-picked tea"(ICHIBAN-CHA in Japanese) and that is the best quality comparing 2nd and 3rd ones. Only...

  All that is truly tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. Whether it is classified as black, green, or white depends on how it is processed. Chamomile, mint, and other teas are more accurately herbs that can be brewed into teas. What Makes Matcha Green Tea Special? Green tea is prepared through steaming. This light processing leaves most of its beneficial compounds in tact, making it famously healthy. Matcha green tea is then stone ground and sold as a powder. When you drink matcha green tea, you are consuming the entire leaf of the Camellia sinensis plant, rather than...