Japanese Green Tea

The tea culture in Japan is the second oldest in the world after China. The earliest reference to tea in Japanese text appears in the 9th century, when Buddhist monks brought tea back from China after marvelling at its apparent medicinal qualities. Japan is known for its beautifully subtle green teas, which owe their delicate flavour to the gentle processing of the leaves. Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented. Instead, the leaves are steamed or roasted after withering, destroying the enzymes and tannins which cause oxidation. This keeps the leaves olive-green. Green tea contains high quantities of antioxidants and flavonoids and is therefore prized for its health benefits. Here at Bijou Tea we have selected some excellent examples of Japanese tea, which is mainly grown on the mainland Honshu and on the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu.