Sencha

Green tea Origin: Japan

Sencha is Japan's most popular tea. The leaf is steamed right after picking and then rolled into thin needles.

Taste

Fresh and grassy, with umami and a slightly astringent finish. Think spinach and seaweed.

Green

How to brew it

Use 3 grams per 250 ml of water at 70–75°C and steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Water that's too hot makes it bitter.

Goes well with

A classic with fish and sushi. The umami enhances salmon and seafood.

More: green tea

• Gyokuro · Green tea · 50–60°C
  Intensely umami and sweet, almost brothy, with little bitterness.
• Matcha · Green tea · 70–80°C
  Creamy, umami and grassy, with a sweet undertone.
• Longjing · Green tea · 75–80°C
  Nutty and sweet, with notes of chestnut and a fresh, light bitterness.
• Genmaicha · Green tea · 80–85°C
  Savoury and toasty, with a fresh green undertone.