Skip to content

Japan Food Compass

  • Sushi
  • Japanese Ingredients
  • Japanese Food Culture
  • Yakitori
  • Kitchen Tools
  • Blog

Matcha

How Matcha Is Made: From Shaded Tencha to the Tea Bowl

August 31, 2026 by Hiro
Bowl of freshly whisked matcha with a bamboo chasen and a small dish of matcha powder

Matcha begins as shaded tencha rather than ordinary green tea powder. Follow its journey from the tea field to the bowl, then learn how to judge, choose, store, and whisk it.

Categories Japanese Food Culture Tags chasen, Japanese green tea, Japanese Tea, Matcha, tea ceremony, tencha

Japanese Tea Types Explained: Sencha, Matcha, Gyokuro, Hojicha, and More

September 8, 2026August 26, 2026 by Hiro
Matcha, sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, and genmaicha with their dry tea leaves on a wooden table

Japanese tea includes far more than matcha. Compare sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha, bancha, kukicha, and other major styles by production, taste, appearance, and brewing method.

Categories Japanese Food Culture Tags Green Tea, Gyokuro, Hojicha, Japanese Tea, Matcha, Sencha

Clear, practical guides to Japanese food, ingredients, culture, and dining.

Information

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Explore

  • Sushi
  • Japanese Ingredients
  • Japanese Food Culture
  • Yakitori
  • Kitchen Tools