Ippodo Tea was established in 1717 in the heart of Kyoto. We produce our own blends of classic
Japanese green teas - matcha, gyokuro, sencha, and bancha - drawing on generations of
experience.
What is Green Tea?
Compared to black tea (fully oxidized tea), a green tea is unoxidized: once picked, the
leaves are heated quickly, locking in their fresh, green fragrance and color.
At Ippodo, we are focused on producing high-quality Japanese green teas in the following
categories:
Matcha – Green tea that is first grown under the shade and then ground into a fine
powder.
Sencha – A classic green tea processed as leaves to brew in a pot. It has a balance
of flavors: natural sweetness, rich umami, and refreshing bitterness.
Gyokuro – A green tea grown under the shade just like matcha, before processing as
a tea to brew in a pot. It has a smooth, lush character and dense umami.
Bancha – A general term for light-bodied green teas made from larger tea leaves.
Bancha teas come in a wide variety of delicious fragrances.
When to Drink Japanese Green Teas?
Here are a few hints for enjoying these teas throughout the day.
Morning
To get going and start off the day feeling grounded, try gyokuro.
Lunch
Pair pasta or a sandwich with genmaicha, for a healthy soda alternative.
Afternoon
Take a breather and re-energize on a busy afternoon with a cup of sencha.
All Day
Keep a pitcher of iced hojicha in the fridge and sip for tasty, toasty refreshment.
How do I brew them?
Brewing delicious loose leaf tea is as simple as adding leaves to a pot, pouring on hot
water, waiting a bit, then pouring the tea out through a filter. Visit our recipe
collection page for detailed ideas.
