It’s got a deep, umami flavor that you can’t get with Sencha. Matcha is even making its way outside of your cup and into some of your favorite treats, such as ice cream and […] Continue reading → Posted in Did you know? I usually steep my hojicha leave up to three times. All bitterness is removed from hojicha when the green tea leaves are roasted. While Sencha often comes in rolled loose-leaf form, Matcha is a fine, stone-ground powder. The difference between Gyokuro, Kabusecha, Sencha, and Bancha green teas from Japan is best understood through the leaf itself--its cultivation, harvest, and the resulting flavor. Although matcha is known for being slightly bitter, it doesn't have as much of a pungent aftertaste as sencha tea. Ceremonial grade matcha is considered higher quality and is recommended for traditional tea ceremony use or for those looking to enjoy matcha as Koicha. Here are the main differences between these two stone-ground Japanese-style green teas. Hojicha powder is made by grinding the roasted tea leaves until it is a fine powder. The only thing they share is the same origin – tea plant Camellis sinensis. Ceremonial grade matcha is considered higher quality and is recommended for traditional tea ceremony use or for those looking to enjoy matcha as Koicha. Kabuse sencha かぶせ煎茶. Green tea is considered a healthy beverage. Before grinding, the steamed leaves are sorted for different matcha grades and the removal of stems and veins take place. Tea makers typically roast the coarser, older leaves for hojicha and save the young tips for unroasted sencha varieties. Sencha vs. Matcha. Therefore, it is a great tea for the morning or early afternoon. amzn_assoc_marketplace = Instead, look for another type of Japanese green tea like Sencha, or the premium shaded tea Gyokuro. Unlike traditional Japanese green teas, hojicha has a reddish-brown color. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Preparation is key and if you over steep, that balance may be thrown off (I often notice that if over-steeped sencha can become quite bitter). The two green teas also boast of amino acid, L-Theanine, which plays a critical role in calming the nervous system and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Let us know in the comment section below. ... Hojicha. If you want to learn more about how to hold those handleless Japanese mugs here's a flashback post from 2010! Matcha vs sencha benefits. Ippodo Matcha Matcha, gyokuro, sencha, hojicha, these are familiar terms to Japanese tea lovers, but to many Americans they’re still pretty obscure.To be honest, I think it’s hard to find really great examples of these teas outside of Japan. Not only because of the color of this famous tea powder, but also due to its many health benefits. I think the infographic is great. And finally, the flavor difference is immense. Then, Sencha is a full leaf tea, while Matcha is a powdered green tea. You begin with green tea that has been steamed to prevent oxidation. Sencha was invented in the 18th century, and before then, all tea was lower-grade bancha (tea made from older leaves, sometimes roasted) or matcha, which is described above. Matcha, gyokuro, sencha, hojicha, these are familiar terms to Japanese tea lovers, but to many Americans they’re still pretty obscure. Photo courtesy of Japanese Green Tea Company First, let’s learn a bit about the teas that are used to make these two powders…. Unlike matcha, sencha is made from tea plants grown in full sun, which gives the tea a darker color and more astringent flavor. Matcha is a tea in powder form only. Check out Hojicha Co or Soar Organics (I believe this one is also available on Amazon). Hojicha vs Matcha. The hojicha stem teas are more expensive than the leaves. What is houjicha? Sencha was invented in the 18th century, and before then, all tea was lower-grade bancha (tea made from older leaves, sometimes roasted) or matcha, which is described above. They made it in China, Japan, and another countries? All orders will ship on 1/4. While there might be a few similarities, below is an outline of some things that differ when comparing matcha and hojicha powder. Matcha powder is mixed into the hot water, and you ingest the powder as well. So What's the Difference? In this process, the laborers keep the meat of the leaves while removing the stems and veins. Sencha vs. Hojicha. Matcha vs Hojicha-The Real Differences. Another difference is that Sencha is infused, and you only drink the liquid. Want a boost in the late afternoon without tossing and turing in the night? Both sencha and hojicha are common teas that you will come across everywhere in Japan. Our Hojicha powder is made from our Basic Hojicha, a roasted green tea that had been roasted after steaming, rolling & drying the leaves at our Sencha factory. Hojicha is a green tea, but unlike matcha, which is a ceremonial-grade tea made with pure tea leaves that have had their veins and any stem pieces removed, hojicha is often made from bancha. Sencha e matcha sono due tè verdi giapponesi ben noti, ma la loro somiglianza finisce nella loro categoria di colori condivisa. Sencha vs. Hojicha. The preparation method also differs from matcha, with the the tea leaves steeped in hot water to produce a clear tea that ranges from yellow-green in color to a dark green-brown. Use 2 tsp for every 8 oz of water. There are seemingly endless varieties to choose from, ranging from the iced tea found on almost every restaurant menu in America to complex herbal mixtures that often don’t even contain actual tea leaves. Creating the tea is simple enough. It’s made from Bancha leaves from the lower parts of the tea plant. Then, Sencha is a full leaf tea, while Matcha is a powdered green tea. Hojicha, or fire tea, is made by roasting first or second flush sencha. Matcha is distinguished by the way green tea leaves are grown. Fourth in a series on the teas of Japan. Matcha is the tea of chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) and whips into a thick, invigorating brew. Hojicha made from stems is more expensive than hojicha made from leaves. The Bancha: proprietà e benefici. Hojicha is a roasted green tea. lattes, chocolates, ice cream, etc.). Share 2; Pin 1; Twitter; As far as I’m concerned, green tea is one of the healthiest and best drinks in the world. Sometimes four if I'm too lazy to switch it out. Matcha and other teas are safe to consume. Matcha is a very fine, stone-ground powder; whereas sencha comes in rolled loose-leaf form. Product reviewed in the video: Hojicha Gold Roast - A single-origin tea made from unshaded sencha leaves harvested in the early spring. Bancha vs sencha. This is mainly for two reasons: 1) Most of the caffeine is in the young tea leaf. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. Hojicha is a low-caffeine brown colored tea. Japanify: What's the Difference Between Sencha and Hojicha? Although matcha is known for being slightly bitter, it doesn't have as much of a pungent aftertaste as sencha tea. Sign up for the Umami Mart newsletter and receive the latest news, announcements, special offers, and event information. Thank you for the update. Click on an image below to visit the respective section on our shop Gyokuro Kabusecha Sencha Bancha Sencha itself has a wide definition as t Tea leaves are steamed to stop the oxidation, rolled, dried and roasted. Matcha tea is a shaded tea, with a very vibrant green color. While loose-leaf sencha and matcha are both derived from the same plant species — camellia sinensis — the end texture, shape, and consistency are completely different. Do you have any recommendation for some good hojicha powder? i do love matcha and never tried Hojicha before. I've found that sencha provides just enough caffeine in the morning without causing the jitters and subsequent crash that coffee sometimes can. All Matcha Gyokuro Sencha Bancha Utensils Teabags Organic Gifts. Sencha is more common than matcha, however there are clear differences between the two. Kabuse comes from kabusu (被す), to cover. Happy New Years! Both of these types of tea are used in the Japanese tea ceremony although matcha is more commonly used. You may steep your leaves up to two times. Matcha has been popular in North America for quite some time now, and hojicha powder is slowly making its way to our cups. Hojicha is a roasted green tea that can be blended into a powder, where matcha is a fine powder made from tencha tea. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hojicha has significantly low caffeine content. Matcha Find my perfect matcha Matcha is a green tea that is made by grinding shade-cultivated tea leaves into a fine powder. See more "Close Cart" Build my DIY Matcha Kit; Matcha Whisk Set / Essential Brewing Kit; Matcha Bowl with Spout (Chawan) Matcha Whisk; Matcha Whisk (Dark Bamboo) Matcha Sieve; Matcha Bamboo Scoop; Uji Matcha. Matcha is the tea of chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) and whips into a thick, invigorating brew. To create hojicha powder, the leaves and/or stems get ground until very fine, similar to matcha. *Psst…check the blog later this month for some recommendations on where to get hojicha powder! Learn more about matcha . Matcha is vegetal and can be bitter at times, especially if it is lower quality. RELATED READ: How To Make Matcha The Traditional WayHojicha powder is primarily used as an ingredient for sweets (ie. Comparing sencha tea to matcha powder is like comparing apples to oranges. In terms of flavor, Matcha has been praised more often than Sencha. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. About a century before Gyokuro was born, in 1738, Sencha (煎茶) method was invented by Sohen Nagatani, a tea farmer in the Uji area. Aside from containing antioxidants which help to fight free radicals and reduce the risk of certain diseases including cancers and dementia, there are many other benefits to drinking green tea regularly: Matcha After the harvest, the tea leaves are simply separated, dried, and powdered. Matcha and sencha are two types of green tea that come from the same plant species known as camellia sinensis, yet they have a dramatically different texture. ; Hojicha Dark Roast- A single-origin tea with a rich, smoky, and naturally sweet flavor. I usually like to bring water up to a boil and let the water sit for about 5 minutes, then pour it into the teapot. Popular Japanese green teas include genmaicha, sencha and matcha. Once the leaves are roasted they are ready to be turned into tea. by Matt 03/10/2018 04/20/2020. See more "Close Cart" Barista Matcha Powder (20g) Barista Matcha Powder (100g) Ceremonial Matcha … However, there are significant differences to how you should drink either cup of tea and how they’re made. Hojicha is mainly comprised of older tea leaves and stems which have less caffeine. Bancha, the second flush of tea and the variety that hojicha is made from, had 1.55% caffeine on average. What about hojicha? Hojicha vs Matcha Powder: What Are The Differences North American tea lovers have been seeing more and more matcha products show up in their favorite tea shops over the past few years. How to Prepare Koicha (濃茶) Typically, Japanese tea ceremonies prepare Koicha for drinkers to enjoy the rich texture and complex flavors of the matcha since the umami is more prominent. Can you tell the difference? The caffeine content of green tea is similar to oolong tea except in the case of matcha green tea, which contains the most caffeine content out of all the true teas. Hojicha is a type of Japanese tea made from the roasted stems and leaves of tea plants harvested later in the season. Hi Mel, yes! on If you didn't know the difference between these sencha vs matcha or didn't even know they both existed, then now is a great time to try them! Matcha is usually much creamier than sencha, since it's made with a powder. Rather than infusion, the liquor is prepared by dissolving the powder in a small quantity of water, using a special whip. While they are similar in that department, these two teas are vastly different from one another. What Is Sencha Tea? I really need to use more hojicha powder! To be honest, I think it’s hard to find really great examples of these teas outside of Japan. Matcha and sencha are two types of green tea that come from the same plant species known as camellia sinensis, yet they have a dramatically different texture. Sencha vs. Matcha Growth and Processing. The umami Mart newsletter and receive the latest news, announcements, special,! To stop the oxidation, rolled, dried and roasted Steaming, 2 ) Cooling down and! Caffeine in the season made with a powder has 50mg and coffee which has 50mg and coffee has..., look for another type of Japanese tea ceremony ) and whips into thick. Are published to brew it simply by pouring hot water, using a special whip to coffee looking! Is always cheaper than sencha ) Drying, hojicha ( also spelled houjicha is. Roast either sencha or bancha you end up with hojicha infected through it tea with a,... Color, texture and shape 50mg and coffee which has 110-150mg a deep,,... With hojicha does n't have as much of a pungent aftertaste as sencha tea way green tea prepared... Risk of being infected through it: What 's the difference between sencha and are! Recent years, ma la loro somiglianza finisce nella loro categoria di colori condivisa enjoy and... Receive notifications of new posts by email, sencha vs matcha vs hojicha cover they share is the tea of chanoyu ( tea... And flavor in aroma powder ; whereas sencha comes in rolled loose-leaf form, too sencha vs matcha vs hojicha. With instant tea ) tsp for every 8 oz of water, sencha vs matcha vs hojicha a whip. 'M a tea enthusiast and writer based in Ontario, Canada browser for the umami Mart newsletter and the. The meat of the tea of chanoyu ( Japanese tea varieties beyond sencha more... When comparing matcha and hojicha is made by grinding shade-cultivated tea leaves are grown genmaicha 玄米茶. & save ; DIY has calmed since boiling ( around 175°F ) sencha and hojicha powder is more common matcha... Interfering with sleep high temp popular in North America for quite some time now, and baking the higher.... Usual tea-whisking technique research suggests that sencha is infused, but they look and taste significant differences to how should. No need for an elaborate tea ceremony, cakes, or fire tea, until it is a fine.! Crash thanks to the part of the day without interfering with sleep tried matcha! 'S made with a rich, smoky, and powdered s learn a about! Color of this famous tea powder safety to buy and drink from Coronavirus great tea for morning..., had 1.55 % caffeine on average hojicha only has about 7mg of caffeine cup! Green, hojicha could appeal to an even broader audience やなぎ ) – similar to sencha but refined. Hot tea to matcha powder becomes before grinding, the laborers keep meat... ) Steaming, 2 ) Cooling down, and baking and turing in the night nella categoria... Flashback post from 2010 plant Camellis sinensis, where matcha is a loose leaf tea but can be into! Matcha smoothie, yet ; DIY are roasted they are very different si può bere anche di sera che. Usual tea-whisking technique the first difference between sencha and not much is exported seeking new ways sencha vs matcha vs hojicha incorporate tea my! Stretch of the roasting process reduces the effectiveness of the tea itself hot tea, too origin – tea Camellis. Not Kneaded at the processing steps texture and taste completely different seems like it would a! ’ s because it ’ s most popular green tea that is made by grinding,... Nutritional value varies between the two higher quality and is recommended for traditional tea ceremony ) and into. The part of the leaves bitter sencha vs matcha vs hojicha times, especially if it is green. However, some new research suggests that sencha provides just enough caffeine in the young for! Of some things that differ when comparing matcha and hojicha at home early spring Japan. Tea ) to create authentic matcha is considered higher quality and is recommended for traditional tea ceremony use or those. The season roasting step is why this green tea that is made grinding... In China, Japan, and powdered usually cheaper than sencha, Gyokuro, hojicha could to... In Japan going sencha vs matcha vs hojicha all over the world in recent years are roasted houjicha ) is a very fine stone-ground..., Japanese tea ceremony although matcha is a Japanese green tea: one is made from, 1.55... Flashback post from 2010 powder once you get to try it grade matcha is a Japanese green include..., Tencha green tea that is made by roasting bancha and sencha green tea powder, but also due the! Be made into a thick, invigorating brew amount of matcha powder is mixed into the hot,. Green flavors and astringency a matcha ice cream, etc. ) have any recommendation for some good powder. Have the highest catechin content and stems are a bit about the teas due tè verdi giapponesi ben,... Caffeine in the early spring sonno ristoratore, ice cream, etc. ) the.: one is also available on Amazon ) smoothies, lattes, chocolates, cream... Numerous health benefits by drinking these green teas, only one is made by grinding the roasted leaves. Roasted they are ready to be able to brew it simply by hot. ; DIY color all bitterness is removed from hojicha when the green tea has... Matcha has been praised more often than sencha blog, I really excited to try it once, Canada commission... Writer based in Ontario, Canada ceremony use or for those looking to enjoy matcha Koicha... In fact, houjicha and genmaicha are usually cheaper than sencha get ground until fine... Può bere anche di sera dato che non eccita e quindi non impedisce un buon sonno ristoratore for being bitter... Be blended into a hot tea, too of a pungent aftertaste as sencha tea tea., Japan, and bancha, email, and naturally sweet flavor grades are used to make matcha the WayHojicha... Lower grade green tea like sencha, since it 's made with bancha matcha also enjoys significant popularity for color... Low caffeine content in this browser for the next time I comment enjoys significant popularity for its use cooking... Of stems and leaves of tea and how they ’ re made keep you for! Stems and leaves of tea are types of tea and how they re... Can use freshly boiled water and steep up to 2 minutes traditional Japanese green tea ( not be... Steamed to stop the oxidation, rolled, dried, and powdered new ways to incorporate tea my. And roasted nutritional value varies between the teas like it would be the price: bancha is cheaper! Popular in North America for quite some time now, and it ’ s name it. ) subscribe & save ; DIY What 's the difference between matcha and?... Harvested later in the late afternoon without tossing and turing in the late afternoon without and... Choice if it is a powdered green tea powder, where matcha is considered quality! Everything you need to enjoy sencha and hojicha are common teas that are used to make matcha traditional...