About Tencha

Tencha is a fascinating part of Japanese tea culture that delves deeper into the secrets of making and enjoying green tea. This exclusive tea, which serves as the base material for Matcha, is produced using a meticulous and culturally rich process that reflects the essence of the Japanese art of tea.

The cultivation of Tencha is a true art form. The tea bushes from which this precious raw material is extracted thrive under special conditions. Around three weeks before the harvest, the plants are shaded by bamboo mats or nets to block out the sunlight. This technique, known as "Tana" in Japanese, with a strategic 90 percent shading, leads to a slowdown in the growth of the tea plant. This process forces the plant to produce more chlorophyll and increase its amino acid content - one of the most important of which is L-theanine, which is responsible for the characteristically sweet umami flavor of this tea.

After harvesting, the inevitable transition of the tea leaves into what will eventually become tencha begins. The leaves are first steamed to stop oxidation, a process that is typical of much green tea. Unlike other types of tea, however, the leaves for tencha are not rolled. Instead, they are left to dry in their natural form, which allows them to retain their delicate, leafy texture. This traditional process involves the use of hot air to gently and evenly dry the leaves - a step that creates the unique texture of Tencha.

The production of tencha ends in storage, which preserves the quality of the tea until it is used for further processing into matcha. The leaves are gently grated into a silky powder, whose bright green color and velvety texture give matcha its incomparable quality. But even apart from matcha, tencha is a rare but profound experience for connoisseurs as a tea in its own right - its taste differs from matcha in its fresh, unadulterated purity.

Tencha is not just a drink, but a reflection of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the aesthetics of imperfection, impermanence and incompleteness. Each cup tells the story of the discipline and dedication that went into the cultivation and traditional processing of this tea. A precious pleasure that offers a moment of stillness and reflection in the midst of a hectic world.