An Introduction to Sencha Tea
Green tea has taken hold of health-minded individuals around the world because of its proven benefits inside the human body. You can now walk into any store and pick up bottled green teas or go to the grocery store and purchase a wide variety of dried green teas to brew at home. Among the most delicious and satisfying green teas available today is Japanese tea known as Sencha tea.
This tea is extremely popular in Japan and has a noticeable rolled or curled shape which comes from the way it is processed and dried. The tea leaves are steamed before being rolled up, shaped correctly, and then dried out. This creates the curled appearance that many people associate with this particular variety of tea. This process is quite different from green teas produced elsewhere and has a lot to do with the delicious flavor that comes from Sencha tea.
When shopping for Sencha tea you will see terms like “first flush” and “second flush” quite often. This actually becomes an advertising point for many Sencha tea manufacturers because it directly affects the coloring and flavor of the tea. This term comes from the fact that the tea plants used to make Sencha tea can be harvested at different times of the year. In Japan, it is believed that the most delicious teas come from the first flush of the year, so those teas will become marked as “first flush” teas.
Around the world you can find Sencha tea products being marketed with the first and second flush as major selling points. These early harvested tea leaves should produce a more golden green color and the delicious flavor for which this type of tea has become known.
Besides intense flavor that is tantalizing on the taste buds and remarkably delicious with chocolate, what does Sencha tea have to offer? The biggest benefit is its rich concentration of antioxidants. Green teas in general are noted for having exceptionally high antioxidant levels. This is beneficial to the body because it helps fight off inflammation, infection, and disease.
Many people prize antioxidants because they can help reduce or prevent common signs of aging as well. This includes lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. No wonder you see so many skin care products advertising the inclusion of antioxidants today! Sencha tea is not a beauty aid, but it is packed with antioxidants that do amazing things for the body when consumed on a routine basis.
Green teas like Sencha also have high concentrations of polyphenols, which are also proving to be very beneficial inside the body. They work along with antioxidants to rid the body of free radicals that cause disease and to fight off deadly diseases including cancer.
The great thing about Sencha tea is that it’s completely natural and safe. You can drink Sencha tea in your home as often as you like without worrying about dangerous side effects. This tea is delicious and can easily be found online from a variety of different manufacturers.
When comparing different Sencha tea products online consider the reputation of the manufacturer, when the tea leaves were harvested, and where the tea originally came from. Remember this is the most popular tea consumed in Japan and those produced from the first and second flushes of the year are viewed as the most valuable.
Sencha tea is not the cheapest tea to purchase, but it is packed with health benefits and tons of rich flavor. Enjoy!