Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea are all made from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis. Green tea, the most commonly consumed tea in Japan, prevents the enzymatic reaction that occurs in the tea leaves by heat-treating the picked tea leaves. Since the chlorophyll contained in the leaves is not decomposed, it has a bright green color. The popular matcha is also one of the green teas.
What is Green tea and is it okay for me to drink it?
Materials of Green tea
Tea leaves
| Gluten-free | Low-gluten | Wheat-free | Low FODMAPs | |
| for Vegetarian |
| Restaurant | Food supermarket | Convenience store | Drug store |
Green tea goes well with Japanese food
Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea are all made from the leaves of the same plant. When tea leaves are fermented, the components contained in the leaves oxidize and turn red. Green tea stops the action of enzymes contained in the leaves by steaming the picked leaves immediately.
Then, shape the leaves and dry them to make the product. Green tea is also available in China, but Japanese green tea and Chinese green tea are manufactured in slightly different ways.
For green tea, hot water is poured into the tea leaves to extract the ingredients and drink. Good green tea has a very nice aroma. And it goes well with Japanese food.
All green tea served in Japanese restaurants is free. Some ramen shops, Chinese restaurants and Western restaurants serve cold water instead of green tea, but most restaurants serve green tea.
On the other hand, black tea and oolong tea are almost always charged. If you say “Please give me some tea”, you will get free green tea. Therefore, during your stay in Japan, I think there are many opportunities to drink green tea.
Green tea can be purchased in a variety of forms. First of all, the tea leaves can be purchased at food supermarkets and convenience stores. However, in order to make green tea from tea leaves, a special tool named “Kyusu” is required.
There are also green tea in tea bags and powdered green tea. With this, you can drink green tea anytime, anywhere with hot water.
Green tea in PET bottles is also popular. At supermarkets, convenience stores and vending machines, you can purchase 500ml bottles for about $ 1 each.
Try to drink Green tea!
How much ?
Free of charge at most restaurants
$ 1 for 500ml pet bottle
Where can I drink Green tea
Most restaurants, food and convenience stores
Most hotel rooms are equipped with a green tea bag and an electric kettle.
Precautions when drinking Green tea
Everyone can drink green tea with peace of mind.
Japanese writer’s comment for Maccha
Recently, Matcha is popular with foreigners. Matcha is made by steaming the picked tea leaves and powdering them as they are. The tea leaves that are made into Matcha are soft sprouts that are covered for at least 20 days before harvest to block direct sunlight. This creates a bright green color, a unique aroma, and a mellow umami and sweetness.
Matcha was originally a high-class tea that was drunk in the tea ceremony, and the general public rarely had the chance to drink it. Recently, sweets containing matcha have become popular.
Nowadays, chocolates and cookies with matcha are popular as souvenirs in Japan.
