Are you just about to pour over boiled water from the kettle (or water server) to the Kyusu teapot to make Japanese green tea?
Hang on a second.
You may want to know tips about how to make Japanese green tea BETTER which I am going to tell you today.
First, the green tea that I am talking about in this post refers to ‘sencha’ green tea-which is the most popular daily green tea in Japan.
SENCHA IS THE TYPICAL GREEN TEA TO ENJOY DAILY
Green tea commonly called “cha” or “ocha” in Japanese precisely refers to “sencha” green tea.
Yes, you may know it from “oi ocha green tea” which literally means “Bring me a cup of green tea!”
It’s a different type (and purpose) from “macha” green tea, but they are in the same group of green tea.
Green tea (called “ryokucha” in Japanese) is made with unfermented tea leaves.
(On the other hand, Black teas are fully fermented.)
Among green tea, “Sencha” is a daily (casual) green tea, and “green tes” almost always refers to this type in Japan.
Also, green tea bags that you often see in grocery stores are mostly “sencha” if it doesn’t say Matcha.
HOW TO MAKE SENCHA GREEN TEA WITH KYUSU TEAPOT
WHAT’LL YOU NEED TO MAKE (BREW) SENCHA GREEN TEA
- KYUSU TEAPOT WITH A STRAINER
- WATER
- GREEN TEA LEAVE
- YUNOMI TEA CUP (OPTIONALLY)
JAPANESE KYUSU TEAPOT
A KYUSU (急須) is a traditional teapot that brews green tea (sencha, hojicha, etc).
Although an English/Chinese teapot or even French press can be used to brew green tea leave, yet, you can consider adding a Japanese “Kyusu” teapot to your collection since it is beautiful, cute, and handy. (despite it being kinda small.)
I like KUTANI ware because they are colorful and cute and also available on Amazon, there is a variety of KYUSU teapots and among them, tea connoisseurs keep special KYUSU like TOKONAME kyusu and tetsu kyusu.
Simple ways to make delicious Japanese green tea, one: get a decent quality of loose tea leaves, two: use a Kyusu teapot made for green tea. TOKONAME KYUSU is known for “the best” Kyusu teapot and the green tea made in TOKONAME KYUSU become a mellow round flavor.
CAST IRON KYUSU TEAPOT-TETSU KYUSU-
If you looking for a KYUSU teapot to make green tea or something looking for “Japanese-like”, “Asian taste” or “ZEN” life, Japanese cast iron KYUSU teapot can be one.
Unlike cast iron ware, most TETSU KYUSU has enamel-glazed inside so it can help after-care a little.
THE BEST WATER TO MAKE SENCHA GREEN TEA
Water is the key to making the best green tea at home.
Pick up high-quality green tea leaves is often of the top things to do, yet, when you’ll be careful to water, you can make the best sencha tea at home even with the friendly price.
Generally, soft water is the best water to brew green tea leaves.
Since soft water can bring out the delicate umami and aroma, contrary, the minerals in hard water make it difficult to do so.
Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium ions dissolved in 1000 ml liter of water and use soft (or slightly soft) water to make Japanese green tea.
| Classification | mg/ ml liter |
|---|---|
| Soft | 0 – 60 |
| Slightly hard | 60 – 120 |
| Moderately hard | 120 – 180 |
| Hard | over 180 |
Roughly speaking, natural (or tap) water in Japan is almost always soft water and you’ll get hard water in Europe countries.
Can you use tap water to make green tea?
In Japan or if your water is soft, you don’t need extra care to make green tea.
Is that so?
Can you use tap water to brew green tea?
Well, I would say you can use it for casual daily green tea (bags).
If you want to pay extra care to brew Japanese green tea, use purified water or remove chlorine from tap water.
MAKE MILD AND RICH WATER IN A TETSUBIN KETTLE
The iconic Japanese cast-iron kettle called TETSUBIN-not a kyusu teapot- is popular both in Japan and overseas. Like other ironware, Tetsunin has excellent durability and thermal conductivity and can be the source of iron, besides, it can change the taste of water dramatically.
JAPANESE GREEN TEA LEAVES
Japanese green tea has many different kinds not only for sencha or matcha.
Japanese green tea is a tea that you can enjoy well-balanced with aroma, umami, and astringency.
It is fun to use tea according to your mood and occasion, such as when you want to enjoy the aroma, when you want to enjoy the umami, or when you want to enjoy the bright green color.
Click this post (Index For Types Of Japanese Green Tea) that offers help to understand Japanese green tea and like to know the best for you.
As a guide, use 3 grams (0.1 ounces) of green tea leaves per serving (100 ml: about 3.4 fl oz).
For two or three servings with tea cups, use 5-6 grams (about 2 teaspoons, 1 us teaspoon= 4.2 grams) of green tea loose leaves.
STEPS TO MAKE SENCHA GREEN TEA
🔒KEYWORDS🔒
- The best amount of sencha green tea leaves is 3 grams per cup. (about 1 us tsp)
- The best water at the temperature is around 80°C-90°C (176F-194F) for casual sencha green tea. (*Gyokuro green tea is 70°C)
- Brew the sencha green tea for 1 minute
- Bring water to a boil fully
- Pour over 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) of boiled water into each cup. This is not only to cool down boiled water to 80°C (176F) but also to figure out how much water you’ll need.
- Place *3 grams of tea loose leaves per serving cup into a strainer with a teapot. (*about 1 tsp of tea leaves)
- Gently transfer the boiled water that you poured into the cup to your Kyusu teapot.
- Brew the green tea leaves for about 1 minute.
- Start serving the tea evenly into teacups gently.
- Pour a small portion of sencha green tea in order to make the tea concentration even, then, continue pouring until the green tea is gone. *To enjoy the second time, avoid leaving the tea in the teapot.(Mawashi sosogi)
HOW TO STORE SENCHA GREEN TEA LEAVES
5 Things To Damage Green Tea Leaves
- Humidity
- Oxidizing
- Sunlight
- HEAT
- Odor
It is a good idea to purchase in small batches and consume the leaves within 2 weeks to 1 month once opened.
Store unopened green tea leaves in the refrigerator (or freezer).
Bring the tea out of the refrigerator to room temperature before you open the package to prevent them from being spoiled by dampness.
After opening, transfer to an air-tight and light-shielding container and store in a cool, dark place.
Make sure to be sealed tightly preventing them from odor, oxidizing, and direct light.
Avoid storing in the refrigerator (after opening), as the tea leaves absorb odors in the fridge and become damp when taken out.
SAVE UNFRESH SENCHA GREEN TEA! MAKE HOJICHA
Hojicha is roasted green tea, yes, is made with green tea leaves. Hojicha is in low caffeine, Easy to drink, and you want to try it as the next bedtime tea. Its toasty nutty aroma and flavor can relax you.
When the tea leaves become not fresh, make hojicha (roasted green tea) at home.
Line parchment paper on a skillet and place the tea leaves.
Roast the leaves slowly over low heat until turning brown.
You can also use a microwave.
