Sencha tea: what it is, benefits and properties
Japan stands out almost without any doubt for its wide tradition in the cultivation and consumption of tea, especially in regard to Green Tea, from which we can find a wide diversity of varieties, until becoming an authentic art embodied in the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
If we were to ask you about Japanese green tea varieties, it is quite possible that Matcha tea be one of the first that comes to mind. And is that its characteristic tone and indistinguishable appearance make it undoubtedly one of the most popular and popular types. But he's not the only one.
And it is that who is lucky enough to travel to Japan to enjoy their teas, or even who can find them in specialized herbalists (or buy them through the Internet in Japanese specialty stores), you can distinguish such wonderful varieties -and curious- as for example is the case of roasted teaHojicha, the covered teaKabusecha or the tea with roasted rice grainGenmaicha.
The Sencha tea is a green tea of Japanese origin very popular in this country, becoming one of the most cultivated to reach 80% of tea produced in Japan. In fact, it is very common to take it hot in the coldest months of the year, while during the summer months it is common to take it cold.
What is Sencha green tea? As elaborated?
It is a green tea that is prepared from the first harvest of the year. Its leaves are collected in spring, when precisely the first buds of the so-called tea plant (the varietyCamellia sinensis).
We are before a wonderful Japanese green tea that is made without crushing the leaves. Translated literally means"Cooked tea", and this is a characteristic that makes the Sencha tea It is different from the toasted green Chinese teas, because instead of toasting them in the pan (as they do in China) it is cooked for 15 to 45 seconds in order to avoid its leaves oxidizing.
Then, once cooked, the green tea leaves are rolled up, at which time they are given their popular and characteristic cylindrical shape, and finally they are dried. Of course, after being cooked the leaves are roasted, which helps to give them flavor and improve their conservation.
It is precisely this first steaming step that gives Sencha Japanese green tea a different variation and flavor compared to Chinese green tea, given that the Sencha acquires a more vegetable flavor that reminds many of the taste of an algae . Moreover, at the time of preparing tea the drink acquires a more bitter taste and a greener shade.
The organoleptic qualities of Sencha tea
As you surely know, the organoleptic qualities of a particular food or drink are the qualities that make reference to its texture, appearance, aroma and flavor.
In the case of Sencha green tea, it becomes a delicious drink with a light aroma and a slightly slightly sweet flavor, which reminds many of the taste of seaweed. On the other hand, when it is made in the form of an infusion, its color is greener than other varieties of green tea.
The benefits of Sencha green tea
A tea tremendously rich in antioxidants
As with other green tea varieties, Sencha tea stands out for its high content of natural antioxidants, especially polyphenols Y catechins which are the ones that, in short, give it its well-known (and recognized) antioxidant qualities.
For its contribution in these antioxidant substances it is a tea that helps reduce the action of free radicals, by protecting our cells naturally. Thus It is useful in cancer prevention.
On the other hand, It is useful to reduce high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, improving blood circulation. In addition, it helps reduce the risk of suffering cardiovascular disease.
Stimulating qualities
Unlike other types of green tea, Sencha tea stands out for its caffeine content, although a presence much smaller than what for example we could find in a cup of coffee.
However, provides thein, quality that means that we are faced with a stimulating drink of the nervous system, promoting the waking state and activating us when we need it most.
How to prepare Sencha tea
The preparation of Sencha green tea to enjoy its flavor, aroma and benefits is very simple and easy.
For this we only need 1 teaspoon of Sencha green tea leaves for each 60 ml cup. and a total of 60 ml. of water.
First pour boiling water into the cups where you serve Sencha tea.When the outside of the cups is hot it means that the water has cooled down to the optimum temperature.
Now is the ideal time to add the Sencha tea leaves to the teapot and then the water. Let infuse in the teapot for 1 minute at a temperature of 80ºC.
Ready! You can already serve the tea. Of course, we advise you to serve it interspersed, so you will get each cup to taste the same. This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist. ThemesTea
