There are many kinds of Teas, but they are made from same tea plants. They are made as differents by different ways. I'll introduce you some major kinds of Japanese Teas.
（renewal：1999.2.12）
Green Teas which are stoped fermentation by steaming.
The
most popular type of Green Teas. About 85% of Japanese teas are SENCHA. In both quality
and price SENCHA has a wide variety.
High quality one is served only on special occasions.But average qualities are for
everyday use.
This is the vest Japanese Tea. It is a precious tea and it si served as
a treat to visitores. GYOKURO means "the dew of jewels".
GYOKURO has a stronger flavor and aroma with less bitterness tha SENCHA. This is
because when the buds are about to come out, the teas bushes are shaded.
This
is known as using TEA CEREMONY.
This is a type of tea ground to a fine powder. To make MACCHA tea is mixed in hot
water with banboo whisk.
This
is understood as a lowest grade of TEA.
But some BANCHA is very nice as a different meaning.
It has a very simple taste, so it is pleased to drink after meals or to drink when
thirsty.
This is a roasted BANCHA.
It has a brown color and unique tosted flavor, and light golden beer color when steeped.
It is also pleased to drink after meals or when thirsty.
The way to serve HOUJICHA is same as BANCHA.
It
is tea buds selected while refining SENCHA or GYOKURO.
It has strong flavor and taste. It is better than caffee when standing sleeepy.
It is tea stems also selected while refining.
It taste light and has fresh flavor. It is also everyday use.
It is a mixture of BANCHA and popped GENMAI (hulled rice kernels). It
makes a light brown tea with a savory flavor. It is also everyday use.
From "ZUSETSU SHOKUHIN SEIBUN-HYOU SHIN KAITEIBAN (% per 100g)
| Kind of Tea | tannin | caffeine | protein amino acid |
fat | sugar | fiber | ashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GYOKURO |
10.0 |
3.5 |
29.1 |
4.1 |
32.7 |
11.1 |
6.4 |
| MACCHA |
10.0 |
3.2 |
30.7 |
5.3 |
28.6 |
10.0 |
7.4 |
| SENCHA |
13.0 |
2.3 |
24.0 |
4.6 |
35.2 |
10.6 |
5.4 |
| BANCHA |
11.0 |
2.0 |
19.7 |
4.4 |
33.5 |
19.5 |
5.5 |
| HOUJICHA |
9.5 |
1.9 |
18.2 |
4.8 |
39.2 |
18.7 |
5.5 |
| oolong tea |
12.5 |
2.4 |
19.4 |
2.8 |
39.8 |
12.4 |
5.3 |
| black tea |
20.0 |
2.7 |
20.6 |
2.5 |
32.1 |
10.9 |
5.2 |
from same data (% per 100g)
| Kind of Tea | A (IU) |
B1 (mg) |
B2 (mg) |
niacin (mg) |
C (mg)) |
E (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GYOKURO |
12000 |
0.30 |
1.16 |
6.0 |
110 |
* |
| MACCHA |
16000 |
0.60 |
1.35 |
4.0 |
60 |
28.2 |
| SENCHA |
7200 |
0.35 |
1.40 |
4.0 |
250 |
65.4 |
| BANCHA |
7800 |
0.25 |
1.40 |
5.4 |
150 |
* |
| HOUJICHA |
6700 |
0.10 |
0.82 |
5.6 |
44 |
* |
| oologn tea |
8300 |
0.13 |
0.86 |
5.7 |
8 |
* |
| black tea |
500 |
0.10 |
0.80 |
10.0 |
0 |
0 |
* is not measured