Discovering the Differences in Japanese Green Tea

As spring arrives and the weather warms, I find myself gravitating towards the refreshing and vibrant flavours of Japanese green teas. These teas, with their bright colours and complex tastes, perfectly capture the essence of the season. In this post, we’ll explore two of Japan’s most beloved green teas - Gyokuro and Organic Sencha - and uncover the key differences that set them apart.
  • 02/01/2025
  • 5 minutes
  • blubolt team
Discovering the Differences in Japanese Green Tea

As spring arrives and the weather warms, I find myself gravitating towards the refreshing and vibrant flavours of Japanese green teas. These teas, with their bright colours and complex tastes, perfectly capture the essence of the season. In this post, we’ll explore two of Japan’s most beloved green teas - Gyokuro and Organic Sencha - and uncover the key differences that set them apart.

Organic Sencha vs. Gyokuro Green Tea

Both Gyokuro and Organic Sencha are steeped in tradition and craftsmanship, each representing the pinnacle of Japanese tea production. Despite their similar appearance, these teas offer distinct experiences, thanks to innovative harvesting and processing techniques that highlight their characteristic sweet, grassy, and umami-rich flavours.

Organic Sencha: A Classic Japanese Green Tea

Sencha is the most popular and traditional type of green tea in Japan. Our Organic Sencha, crafted in the spring of 2023 by tea maker Natsumi Osada at the Marusen Isagawa Cooperative Gardens in Shizuoka, Japan, exemplifies the essence of this beloved tea. The name "Sencha" translates to "steamed tea," a reference to the process where freshly picked leaves are steamed to prevent oxidation. This technique preserves the vibrant green colour of the leaves and enhances the grassy, umami-rich flavours that are the hallmark of Japanese green tea.

Over the years, Japanese tea cultivators have refined the art of growing unique tea bush varieties, resulting in even deeper umami notes, a more pronounced green hue, and a flavour that is unmistakably Japanese.

Gyokuro: The Jewel of Japanese Green Tea

Gyokuro, meaning "Jade Dew," is another steamed tea but with a distinctive twist in its cultivation. Produced by Mr. and Mrs. Miyazaki in the Asahina Valley of Shizuoka, Japan, our 2023 batch of Gyokuro is a testament to the meticulous care taken in its production. The tea plants are shaded from sunlight for a month before harvesting, using a traditional canopy of thick straw. This shading process triggers a fascinating transformation in the tea leaves.

Without sunlight, the plants produce more chlorophyll, deepening the green colour of the leaves. Additionally, the usual chemical reactions involved in photosynthesis are suppressed, leading to a higher concentration of amino acids, particularly L-Theanine. This results in Gyokuro’s signature opaque infusion, rich sweetness, and profound umami depth, earning it the title of the "jewel" of Japanese green tea.

How to Brew Japanese Green Tea

For the taste test, I infused both teas using our glass One Cup Tea-iere with 4g of leaf to 250 ml of water. I also made sure to pre-heat my Tea-iere  with some hot water, as this helps to release the aroma when you add the dry tea leaves. Aroma is a key part of tasting these teas, so it's definitely worth doing.

When infusing the Organic Sencha, I used the recommended 80˚C water, slightly cooler than boiling, while for Gyokuro, I went for an even cooler temperature of 60˚C. 

Using cooler temperatures for these teas ensures a balanced extraction and full flavour without bitterness or astringency. Both teas were infused for 3 minutes, and when the time was up, I made sure to pour out every bit of the infusion for maximum flavour, or as our Gyokuro producer Mrs Miyazaki says, 

"Don't forget the golden drops!".

Taste Test: What's the Taste Difference?

At first glance, Gyokuro and Organic Sencha may look quite similar, with their long, thin, dark green leaves. However, the taste tells a different story.

Aroma

  • Organic Sencha: The aroma is immediately fresh and grassy, with hints of sweet vegetables like buttered peas and green beans. It’s a bright and inviting scent that captures the essence of spring.
  • Gyokuro: The aroma is more complex, featuring notes of steamed sweetcorn and rich, creamy undertones reminiscent of custard cream fondant. While both teas have vegetal aromas, Gyokuro’s fragrance is sweeter and more layered.

Taste

  • Organic Sencha: This tea delivers a balanced grassy sweetness, complemented by fresh green vegetable notes that enhance its umami character. It’s a lively and refreshing infusion that’s perfect for everyday enjoyment.
  • Gyokuro: Gyokuro offers a more intense and refined experience. The taste is sweeter, with floral hints and a savoury, buttery flavour that’s deeply satisfying. The umami in Gyokuro is richer, making it a more indulgent and complex tea.

Texture

  • Organic Sencha: The texture is smooth and slightly thick, which elevates the overall richness of the tea. It’s a satisfying mouthfeel that lingers pleasantly.
  • Gyokuro: Gyokuro takes texture to the next level, with a noticeably thicker and creamier consistency. The infusion is almost milky in appearance, reflecting its deep umami content.

Finish

  • Organic Sencha: The finish is long-lasting, with the sweet and umami notes persisting on the palate. The high notes remain fresh and uplifting, making it a refreshing tea to sip throughout the day.
  • Gyokuro: The finish of Gyokuro is even more enduring, with the umami richness staying with you long after the last sip. It’s a tea that invites you to pause and savour each moment.

Overall Feeling

  • Organic Sencha: This tea leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated, perfect for those seeking a vibrant and balanced green tea experience.
  • Gyokuro: Gyokuro provides a more meditative experience, encouraging you to sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in its complex flavours. It’s a tea that’s as much about the ritual as it is about the taste.

Explore Japanese Teas With JING

To summarise, Sencha is a great tea for anyone looking for a richer infusion from their green tea, with plenty of freshness and a balance of umami character. But if you want a more complex infusion to focus on, with high sweetness and deep umami, give Gyokuro a try.

If that intrigues you, you can explore Japanese teas even further by checking out more entries in our Journal. You can also meet the teas' producers to learn more about their origin and flavour.

@jingtea

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