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Organic Sencha Green Tea

Moderate bitterness and slightly nutty with notes of dark leafy greens like kale

certified organic
Organic Sencha Green Tea
$4.50
Orders over $60 ship free in USA
 
 
 
 
 

Organic Sencha Green Tea

Backyard Compostable Tea Packaging

Sencha is the quintessential organic tea from Japan. Special blending and firing techniques are used to produce this organic green tea, resulting in a rich vegetal flavor and aroma reminding of dark greens such as steamed kale, with moderate bitterness and a slight nutty quality. As is customary with most Japanese teas, this organic sencha exhibits mixed grading, consisting of both small and larger leaf particles.

Ingredients: organic Japanese green tea

Origin: Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

Organic Tea from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

Kagoshima is a prefecture on the island of Kyushu, in Southern Japan which boasts a chain of active and inactive volcanoes that add to the soil content. Kagoshima is the second largest producer of green tea in Japan, and tea has been growing here since the 1300s. However, much of the world never experiences organic tea from Kagoshima because green tea is so popular in Japan that most tea grown in the country is consumed there; very little is exported. Within Japan, Kagoshima is the furthest distance from the Fukushima disaster. For those concerned with the implications of the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster, we continue to have our organic teas from Japan independently tested for radiation.

Steeping Instructions

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At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend green and white teas to be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes in water heated to not-quite-boiling, just as bubbles begin to form on the bottom of the pan (approximately 170 to 180 degrees F). For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!

Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!

Staff Perspectives

  • Sarah

    "Sencha tastes so good and is a beautiful loose leaf tea. I love to stick my nose in my brewed cup and just inhale!"

  • Jeremy

    "The rich vegetal and nutty flavors of this tea make it a natural for pairing with savory dishes."

  • Aubrey

    "Compare this tea with our Chinese Emerald Spring Lung Ching to truly appreciate the flavor differences between Chinese and Japanese green tea."

Health Benefits

Green Tea Health Benefits

Like all true tea, green tea offers many potential health benefits. Research has found that tea (Camellia sinensis) can have many positive effects on human health, including improved cardiovascular function, cancer risk reduction, improved immune function, improved oral health, and help with weight management. Tea is also full of polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidant that help your body maintain homeostasis and balance your stress levels.

Green tea specifically is known for its array of health benefits, which have been supported by a growing number of studies. Green tea research has demonstrated that it may be an effective anticancer agent for breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer, among others. Studies have shown a link between green tea and weight loss, and the ability to modulate energy metabolism, aid in body fat regulation, and possibly promote preferential loss in abdominal fat. Research has also shown that green tea may increase performance for short term memory tasks, as well as being increasing potency of antibiotics. Other peer-reviewed studies link green tea to healthy skin, help with lowering cholesterol, and regulating diabetes. It’s important to keep in mind that many of these studies monitor subjects who drink several cups of green tea per day.

For more information about the health benefits of green tea, and for direct sources of the above information, check out our Tea Health Benefits page!

Please note: the information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Customer Reviews

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  • 5
    Subtle and sweet to the taste

    Posted by Carolina B. Ramos Gonzalez on 1st Dec 2023

    Just like when you sip matcha, sencha shares that subtle sweetness that isn't bitter but also not completely sweet! Color is lovely and this tea deserves all the hype it needs :)!!! Love it!!!

  • 4
    Savory and Lovely

    Posted by Catherine Kleimeier on 10th Aug 2023

    While this hasn't been the very best of the green teas I've tried from Arbor Teas, as I fell in love with a sample of Xianzhi, this Sencha is truly lovely when brewed to my tastes. The savory notes are less strong and complex, and the body is lighter, but that's sometimes just what's needed: a delicious, easily-drinkable green tea that isn't overwhelming. As other reviewers have noted, any additional heat or steeping time does tend to result in extra bitterness, but a certain amount of that bitterness can complement the savory, vegetable flavors quite well. This tea has notes of bok choy, cabbage, or kelp upon its first steep, but subsequent or lighter steeps might reveal a note like apricot skin or the flesh of a peach that's nearest to the pit: somewhat bitter, but fruity and delicious. I don't find the caffeine content to be too high, but I do drink coffee and black tea, so my scale might differ.

  • 5
    Amazing!

    Posted by Catherine Bainbridge on 7th Mar 2023

    This is my new favorite tea. It has a clean taste, and it helps me focus. In fact, this tea helps me focus better than any of the other green-tea that I have purchased from Arbor teas. It is expensive, but I can only drink one cup a day, or it affects my sleep. I will definitely re-purchase it again.

  • 5
    Amazing!

    Posted by Catherine B. on 5th Feb 2023

    I ordered this awhile back, and I have been drinking 2-3 cups per day. This is a very good tea, and it delivers caffeine all day and helps me focus. I will definitely be buying this again. It feels stronger than the gunpowder green tea that I have bought in the past.

  • 5
    Excellent quality sencha!

    Posted by Mike Vanier on 29th Nov 2021

    Sencha has a particular taste that you either like or don't. It's sweet, vegetal, and (if it's good) full of the "umami" flavor which characterizes Japanese green teas. I've loved gyokuro for a long time, but haven't had as much luck with sencha, and now I know why. You have to brew it at low temperature for short periods of time. I find that 160 degrees for a minute to 1:15 is ideal for this tea. Then it has a beautiful rich umami flavor with almost no bitterness. But if you brew it too hot or too long, beware: your tea will be unpleasantly bitter. Japanese tea doesn't mess around; you brew it right or you're sorry. But when you get it right, it's ambrosia in a cup.

  • 5
    Wow!

    Posted by Kara on 23rd Nov 2021

    I held out for a long time on trying this tea since my previous encounters with sencha were nothing worth remembering. However, I cannot get enough of the salty, kelpy, oceanic, vegetal, and grassy flavor profiles from my beloved Japanese gyokuro and Korean sejak green teas. Based on other reviews I decided to purchase a full-size bag and—WOW! This tea satisfies my craving for that fresh, kelpy flavor. This tea far exceeded my expectations of what a sencha tastes like. I will absolutely be ordering more and in bulk.

  • 5
    Fantastic Sencha Tea!

    Posted by Kelly Cook on 20th Nov 2020

    I am an avid tea drinker, and love a large sencha green tea in the morning. I was drinking a bagged organic sencha before, but I wanted to reduce my waste. Aside from the great compostable packaging it comes in, this tea is far superior to the product I was drinking! It's the perfect smooth green tea I love .I will definitely reorder when my bulk bag gets low.

  • 3
    A very mild green tea

    Posted by WK on 8th Oct 2020

    I'm a novice in the world of tea, I admit, but I have had sencha before. This one doesn't measure up. It's so mild that I went from 1 tsp to about 1.5 tsp, even exceeding the 3 minute steep time that is suggested, and it still ends up mild. I'm going to have to try 2 tsp. An additional steep fails to impart almost any flavor into that cup, which is disappointing obviously since loose leaf tea is good for making multiple cups. Tried higher water temp and even longer steep time for this 2nd cup to no success. I'm glad I got the sample size. I like the flavor of sencha but it's lacking in this tea.

  • 5
    organic sencha

    Posted by Ruth on 29th Jan 2019

    I LOVE this sencha for the rare occasion I allow myself to have caffeine. It's just like the tea I used to drink in Japan. I would drink it every day if I could!

  • 5
    Daily Driver

    Posted by Kyle Jackson on 24th Apr 2018

    I've been drinking bagged jasmine tea and loose gun powder tea and always never really enjoyed them. Sencha is exactly what I've been looking for since it is a subtle tea that smells and tastes great. I steep for only 1 minute and steep the same leaves 2-3 times. I've never smelled tea leaves like this; it almost smells like banana? My partner described this tea as being yummy. Would highly recommend this tea, which is now my daily green tea.

  • 5
    I've bought it again and again

    Posted by Johanna on 9th Apr 2018

    When brewed it's a lively green, with a brothy texture. The flavor is vegetal with savory umami and that fresh marine air quality. It's got everything I love about Japanese tea. Delicious!

  • 5
    My Daily Tea

    Posted by Greg on 18th Aug 2017

    This is my go to daily tea. There are better teas and thee are worse teas, but I think Sencha is the best balance of price and cost. Great flavor that wont break the bank.

  • 5
    Finding balance

    Posted by Yen-Wen on 14th Nov 2016

    This is not bitter grassy green color tea like what I found in tea bags. I realized green tea can be simply friendly if the quality is good! At first I thought it was too grassy, then I realized I had it brewed for a bit too long. ( just because I brewed a bigger pot of it, I thought let it brew a bit longer would be ok, No! It doesn't work that way) I tried a few more times, the trick is shortening the time and slightly lower the temperature in order to get the result ( I just go by feeling, not a timer or thermometer) Finding a good balance for yourself. You can enjoy a cup of healthy green tea with a smile!

  • 5
    Experimented and got it right

    Posted by Chris in Kalamazoo on 17th Aug 2016

    At first I found the Sencha much too bitter for my liking. As in...undrinkable. But after reducing the water temp to 170 and the steep time to only 3 minutes, the bitterness gave way to a savory, leafy vegetable-ish flavor that has become one of my favorites. I started with a sampler, but I'm certainly going to add the regular size to my next order!

  • 5
    Experimented, delighted

    Posted by Chris in Kalamazoo on 17th Aug 2016

    At first I found the Sencha much too bitter for my liking. As in...undrinkable. But after reducing the water temp to 170 and the steep time to only 3 minutes, the bitterness gave way to a savory, leafy vegetable-ish flavor that has become one of my favorites. I started with a sampler, but I'm certainly going to add the regular size to my next order!

  • 5
    As good as any other Sencha I've had

    Posted by Unknown on 28th Jul 2016

    Though I'm not a student of Japanese styles, to me this is a really, really good Sencha that tastes exactly like it's supposed to. Vegetal, grassy, and fresh. I never had any problems with bitterness, either. And I got at least two solid steeps out of one tsp of tea. Good stuff.

  • 5
    Couldn't stop drinking it!!

    Posted by Unknown on 6th Jan 2016

    We loved this tea!!! It was great with a teaspoon of natural orange honey!!

  • 5
    Addicted to it!

    Posted by Ana Cecilia on 7th Aug 2014

    About a month ago, I placed my first order with Arbor Teas. Today, I've placed my third order. I started drinking TAZO green tea for health reasons. Was very happy with them (Green Tips and Zen) but when I had my first cup of gyokuro from Arbor Teas, I loved it. Then tried the Sencha and it is even better. Bottomline...I get addicted to Arbor Teas. Tea leaves are of great quality. Now, I purchased a sample for my coming trip as I can't leave home without it!

  • 5
    Enjoyable tea

    Posted by rosa aponte on 11th Jul 2014

    I came across Arbor Teas and I am sold. I love tea. I had been purchasing my tea locally, no problem but this site allows me to explore. I love the tea but most of all the magnificent customer service. The staff is very knowledgeable of the teas. I recommend everyone get the tea spoon and the tin storage can. I made the right choices. I am going to purchase another tea. Thanks Arbor Teas for your wonderful service. Rosa from Texas.

  • 4
    Great everyday tea

    Posted by Aysia on 22nd Jan 2014

    When I'm not sipping on a cup of gyokuro tea from Arbor Teas, I enjoy this sencha green tea. The flavor is bold, with hints of grassiness. This is a great everyday tea that is affordable and of high quality. I will definitely order it again.

  • 5
    Delicious!

    Posted by Unknown on 11th Sep 2013

    This tea is one of my favorites. It has low caffeine and it still tastes great after the first flush. Smooth and tasty!

  • 5
    Lovely deep umami

    Posted by Manu on 5th Aug 2013

    I have bought Sencha lately from 3 other places. I almost gave up on finding a good organic Sencha tea, especially one that has a deep umami flavor. Today I received my Sencha among many other samples from Arbor. Hallelujah!!!! I made 2 cups already, sipping and sipping, and wishing my cup will remain ful :). Finally I found some good Sencha :)! I love its spinachy, umami flavor. I can taste a bit of sweet peas in it too. So lovely..... Just make sure you don't go above 175F, I usually do mine at 170-165 and comes out perfect!

  • 5
    Great Tea and Great Service

    Posted by Don on 20th Feb 2013

    Highly recommend Arbor Teas. The product is excellent and the service is top notch. The personalized note that comes with my orders is a great touch. Will be ordering again.

  • 4
    Incredible Sencha

    Posted by Bob on 19th Feb 2013

    Notes of green chard, slightly astringent

  • 5
    Sencha Rocks!

    Posted by Dimitra on 17th Feb 2013

    This wonderful tea is a great breakfast tea or early afternoon tea. I find it has a strong vegetal flavor. When compared with Kukicha, it is slightly stronger and has a darker grassy flavor. It pairs well with a square of two of dark chocolate.

  • 5
    A Staple For Me

    Posted by Unknown on 29th Oct 2012

    Sencha has been a staple for me for years, and for the last few years I've been getting Arbor Tea's sencha. This particular sencha is very high quality, produces a beautiful greenish yellow tea, and has a wonderful grassy aroma. Even the most expensive sencha at local Asian stores do not compare. It is bonus that it is organic, so that I can enjoy the health benefits without worrying about pesticides. I use slightly more tea than the directions, steep at about 190 for about 2 minutes in a cast iron tea pot, and am able to get three nice brews out of the same tea. I used to occasionally get Gyokuro as a treat, but it seemed as if the quality of sencha at Arbor got even better about 2 years ago, so I don't bother with the Gyokuro anymore since the sencha is so good.

  • 5
    A classic!

    Posted by Evan Mangino on 19th Feb 2012

    Sencha is the epitome of green teas. Sencha is the tea you think of when you think of green tea, and this Sencha is exceptional. The taste of us green tea exceeds that of a generic "grocery store green tea" by an order of magnitude. This, along with a good Assam, is one of the staples of any tea selection.

  • 5
    A favorite

    Posted by Tom Brook on 19th Apr 2011

    I am very fond of the ʺgrassyʺ and nutty flavors of this Sencha. Although I have yet to sample all of the green teas available this one is a ʺmust haveʺ tea. The beautiful color lets you know you are in for a treat. The first sip confirms that it is superior.

  • 4
    Good blend of bitter and grassy

    Posted by Joe Brodnicki on 30th Sep 2009

    This is a tasty Japanese-style tea. Not too strong, bitter, or pungent. To me it tastes ʺgreen.ʺ I've ordered this three times--the flavor holds up well.

  • 4
    A Japanese classic

    Posted by Bill Edwards on 4th Jan 2008

    I enjoy this tea alone or with a meal. I do not find it as vegetal as gyokuro or kukicha and that is fine. It has that bright yellow-green color characteristic of Japanese teas and a nice balance of flavors. You can serve this tea to guests with great confidence.

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