Temperature, amount of leaf, type of water and steep time are important factors you need to get right to make the perfect cup of Japanese green tea. Too hot or brew for too long and the tea will become bitter and undrinkable (high levels of caffeine and tannins). There is a lot of trial and error before you arrive at the perfect cup so experiment a bit with the amount of tea and water, time and temperature. The guide below for the different types of tea we sell will help you on your way. Just remember the better the grade of tea the lower the temperature and longer steep times (higher umami and sweetness). A second steep is generally better with a slightly higher temperature and a shorter brewing time. If you can get hold of soft water that would be a bonus too.
Here are the guides for the our leaf teas.
Organic Fukamushicha & non-organic Fukamushicha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (75 - 85°C)
Steep Time: 30 - 40 seconds
Organic Sencha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (70 - 80°C)
Steep Time: 45 seconds - 1 minute
Organic Genmai Matcha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (80 - 90°C)
Steep Time: 15 seconds
Organic Kukicha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (75 - 85°C)
Steep Time: 20 - 40 seconds
Organic Kabusecha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (60 - 80°C)
Steep Time: 90 - 120 seconds
Organic Reicha
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (15°C)
Steep Time: 90 - 120 seconds
Organic Black Tea
Tea: 4g (0.14 oz. = 1 heaped tsp.)
Water: 1 cup (200ml)
Temperature: (100°C)
Steep Time: 120 seconds