China Sencha Green Tea

While many Sencha Green Teas were made famous in Japan, this particular brew originates from the Chinese Anhui Province, and is as equally enticing as any Japanese variety. This loose leaf tea is perfect for everyday drinking. It is noted for its soft, mild, and sweet flavours, coupled with the traditionally grassy tastes easily recognised in most other Sencha Green Teas.

Grown on the northern side of the River Yangtze at altitudes of up to 800 feet, Our loose China Sencha Green Tea is a true delight to the senses. It can also provide amazing health benefits, which include lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular health, and even weight loss.

Much of tea’s history begins in China as does this particular variety of Sencha Green Tea. However, the story of Sencha Green Tea, as a whole, allegedly begins in Japan. Sencha is, in fact, a Japanese translation, “Sen” refers to the art of “pouring” while “Cha” means “Tea”.

It is estimated that 78% of Japanese Tea consumption is Sencha, and it has been enjoyed in the country for hundreds of years. Made up of rolled, dark needle-shaped tea leaves, it is believed the first variety of Sencha Green Tea was created in 1738 by a tea farmer from Uji, near Kyoto. Legend has it that the farmer, called Nagatani Soen, experimented with different tea production techniques, resulting in a tea very similar to modern-day Sencha.

The tea leaves were green, and consisted of a particularly fresh aroma when brewed. Over the course of time, this technique was perfected to create the Sencha we know and love today. Whether there is any truth behind this story is a question of great debate.

Many historians argue that Sencha Green Tea actually originated from China in the first place, and was later introduced to Japan centuries later. The answer may never be known, but the Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company are certainly glad that this nourishing brew has stood the test of time to become one of the most popular varieties of Green Tea currently available on the market!

Type of Tea: Loose Leaf Green Tea.

Origin: Anhui Province, China.

Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water left to cool to temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees. Following this, infuse for 2 to 3 minutes.

How to Serve: The delicate flavours of this brew are usually overpowered by additions. However, lemon may be considered to provide a complex bitter-sweet balance.

Tasting Notes: The flavours and aromas of this beverage are as mesmerising as the beautiful landscape in which it is grown. China Sencha Green Tea consists of a wonderful grassy-earthy-herbaceous infusion, and is perfect for evening drinking after a long, stressful day at work! Sweet undertones are also a welcome bonus to this brew, with a refreshing aftertaste to perfectly finish things off!

Colour in Cup: Vibrant greeny-yellow liquor, light in tone.

Health Benefits of Green Tea: All Green Tea varieties are revered for their unmatched health benefits, China Sencha Green Tea is certainly no exception. The leaves of this brew undergo minimal processing and no fermentation, thus allowing them to maintain high concentrations of antioxidants known as catechins.

China Sencha Green Tea likewise contains a wealth of other beneficial components; beta-carotene, calcium, folic acid, phosphorous, potassium, saponins, and Vitamin C. These elements combined are largely attributed to China Sencha Green Tea’s health-promoting properties.

One of the most interesting health benefits of this beverage is its incredible ability to stimulate cognitive function. Many studies have been conducted indicating that, when consumed as part of a healthy and active lifestyle, China Sencha Green Tea may have the ability to reduce the risks of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease! Further to this, correlations between the frequent consumption of this brew and the lowering of “bad” LDL Cholesterol have also been established in recent scientific studies.