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What to drink in Japan? Top 22 Japanese Teas and Herbal Infusions

Last update: Wed Feb 19 2025
Top 22 Japanese Teas and Herbal Infusions
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Japanese Tea / Infusion Types

01

Tea

KYOTO, Japan
4.5
Hōjicha
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Hōjicha is a Japanese roasted green tea. It is made with bancha or sencha green tea that is roasted over high heat. During roasting, the tea attains a distinctive reddish-brown color. Brewed hōjicha will result in a light brown tea with a slightly warmer character than traditional green tea.


Instead of typical green and vegetal aroma, hōjicha usually has roast-like notes reminiscent of coffee, cocoa, and caramel. The flavor is earthy and subtly sweet, with roasted notes that are typically not overpowering. Hōjicha has less caffeine and tannins than other green teas. 
02

Tea

JAPAN
4.3
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Sencha is the most popular green tea in Japan. It is harvested from the leaves that are exposed to direct sunlight. After they are plucked, the leaves are shortly steamed and are then rolled and dried. There are several different types of sencha, but shincha, also known as ichiban-cha, is often cited as the highest-quality version.


It is produced from the first seasonal harvests and typically has a sweeter and more delicate flavor. Japanese sencha has green, needle-like leaves. It has a vegetal and grassy character, mild sweetness, and subtle astringency. Sencha tea pairs well with seafood and rice.

03

Tea

KYOTO, Japan
4.2
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Genmaicha is a mix of roasted green tea (bancha or sencha) and roasted brown rice (genmai), though white rice is also sometimes used. Invented in Kyoto by a local merchant, genmaicha was initially regarded as a standard and cheap tea option.


It is now enjoyed by many and praised for its distinctive character. Like other types, it also varies in quality and grades. When brewed, the tea will usually have a pale yellow color. The aroma is a blend of vegetal and light roasted notes. The flavor is rounded, nutty, and subtly sweet. 
04
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Gyokuro is a Japanese green tea of exceptional quality. It is a type of shade-grown tea—the bush is covered two weeks before the harvest. The technique results in tender, emerald-colored leaves packed with green notes. This exclusive tea is only harvested by hand.


It is an expensive and rare tea that should be carefully brewed. Leaving it to brew too long or using too hot water may result in a bitter and harsh brew. When brewed correctly, gyokuro has a subtle pale green color. It is a fragrant tea with delicate vegetal notes, while the flavor is rich and savory, often described as umami-like. 
05

Tea

JAPAN and  one more region
4.1
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Matcha is a Chinese green tea variety that is unique for its harvesting, processing, and preparation methods. Three or four weeks before the harvest, the bush (Camellia sinensis) is covered to prevent direct sunlight, allowing the leaves to grow in the shade.


After the harvest, the leaves are cleaned from stems and veins and are then processed into a fine powder. Unlike most tea varieties, matcha always comes in a powdered form—the practice was first introduced in China, but it remained a standard in Japan. 
THE BEST Matcha Teas
1
Ikomiki
En the Matcha - Konjo

5.0

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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars 2024

2
Ikomiki
En the Matcha - Suiun

5.0

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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars 2024

3 House Matcha
Hibiki-An
House Matcha

4.8

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4 Matcha
Tsuen Tea
Matcha

4.8

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5 Matcha Kannoshiro
Ippodo Tea
Matcha Kannoshiro

4.8

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06

Tea

JAPAN
4.0
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Bancha is a Japanese green tea often called common, everyday green tea. This tea is harvested at the end of the season, following the summer harvest for sencha tea. The leaves are mature and firm, resulting in a slightly harsher and less fragrant tea, which is considered lower in quality than sencha or gyokuro.


Bancha can also include stems and twigs, which are indicators of quality. If the tea has more twigs and stems, this is a signal of lower quality bancha. This type of tea should be shortly steeped. It will usually be lighter and have more astringency than other types of Japanese green tea. 
07

Herbal Infusion

JAPAN and  2 more regions
3.9
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Mugicha is a Japanese name for barley tea—an infusion made by steeping roasted barley grains in hot or cold water. Technically, barley tea is a tisane, and nowadays, it is often made by using teabags consisting of roasted and ground barley.


The drink has ancient origins and is enjoyed in many Asian countries. When brewed, barley tea has a light brown color and a savor, nutty and earthy flavor. It can be sweetened to preference, while the chilled, summer version is often served over ice. 
08
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Although it is usually called ginger tea, this ginger-based drink is better described as a ginger infusion. It can be made by simmering sliced ginger in hot water, but in South Korea (saenggang-cha) and Japan (shōgayu), it is often prepared with a mixture of honey and grated ginger.


The combination is stored, and it is then just mixed with water. Some variations will also include lemon or starch. The drink is commonly enjoyed as a health remedy, and it can either be made as a hot or cold beverage. Ginger tea comes in numerous variations that are found in various Asian countries.

09
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Kukicha is a unique type of Japanese tea that is made with twigs and stems of Camellia sinensis. It typically comes in the form of green tea, though more oxidized varieties are also available. When brewed, the tea has a subtly sweet, vegetal flavor and a pleasant aroma.


It has low astringency and makes for an excellent, everyday tea. Karigane is a type of high-quality kukicha. It is produced from stems and stalks of the leaves used in the production of Gyokuro—a type of shaded Japanese tea. Kukicha would pair well with light dishes, poultry, cheese, and desserts.

10

Herbal Infusion

JAPAN and  2 more regions
3.2
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Although it is often labeled as tea, sobacha is an infusion or a tisane made with roasted barley. The blend can include grains, leaves, or flowers. Apart from Japan, the drink is popular in several Asian countries, including China (kuqiaocha) and South Korea (memil-cha).


To prepare it, roasted kernels are simply steeped in hot or cold water. Alternatively, it can be made with teabags. The resulting drink has a yellow or a light brown hue, with an earthy and nutty flavor, subtle bitterness, and hints of sweetness. Buckwheat tea is a nutritious drink, and many believe that it has numerous health benefits.

11
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Japanese Tea / Infusion Producers

01

Tea / Infusion

SHIZUOKA, Japan
4.9
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Arai's Tea is a black tea producer based in Shizuoka, Japan, known for its high-quality tea cultivation in the region's favorable climate. They produce various types of black tea, leveraging traditional Japanese techniques. Shizuoka is one of Japan's prominent tea-producing regions, contributing significantly to both the domestic and international tea markets.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022, 2021

02
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Atelier Sueyoshi Seicha is a green tea producer based in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The company specializes in the cultivation and production of high-quality Japanese green tea. Sueyoshi Seicha emphasizes the use of traditional farming methods and sustainable practices to ensure the purity and flavor of their teas.


Their product range includes a variety of green tea types such as sencha, gyokuro, and matcha.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022, 2021

BEST Atelier Sueyoshi Seicha Teas and Herbal Infusions
03
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

04

Alga

ŌTA, Japan
4.8
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Morihan, founded in 1836, is a family-run company with nearly two centuries of tradition in producing high-quality Japanese green tea. Located in Uji, Kyoto, a region renowned as the birthplace of matcha, Morihan has become one of Japan's leading and most innovative green tea companies.


Throughout its history, the company has developed many pioneering products, including the first cold-brew Japanese green tea about 100 years ago and the first frothy matcha latte 25 years ago. Today, their range of instant Japanese green teas includes roasted green tea (hojicha), instant mixes for green tea pudding, spiced tea (chai), and much more. 
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024

05
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Hibiki-an is a Japanese company specializing in the production and distribution of high-quality green tea from the Uji region in Kyoto, renowned as the birthplace of Japanese tea. The company offers a variety of teas, including Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha, as well as organic options and premium-grade teas.


In addition to teas, Hibiki-an provides traditional Japanese tea utensils, such as teapots, cups, and Matcha bowls, allowing tea enthusiasts to enjoy an authentic Japanese tea experience. The company is dedicated to preserving the freshness and quality of its products, delivering them directly from Japan to customers worldwide.
BEST Hibiki-An Teas and Herbal Infusions
06
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Tsuen Tea is Japan's oldest continuously operating teashop, established in 1160 in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. The current building, constructed in 1672, remains nearly unchanged and is the most recent in a series of shops owned by the Tsuen family on the same site since its founding.


The shop offers a variety of teas, including matcha, gyokuro, sencha, and genmaicha, as well as unique blends and organic options. They also provide traditional Japanese tea utensils, such as teapots, cups, and matcha bowls, allowing tea enthusiasts to enjoy an authentic Japanese tea experience.
BEST Tsuen Tea Teas and Herbal Infusions
07
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Ippodo Tea is a Japanese family-owned company founded in 1717 in the heart of Kyoto, which has been dedicated to providing the highest quality Japanese green tea for nearly three centuries. Their product range includes a wide variety of teas, such as matcha, gyokuro, sencha, bancha (including hojicha and genmaicha), and tea bags, allowing tea enthusiasts to enjoy premium flavors even when they have limited time.


Located in Kyoto, an area known for producing the finest green tea in Japan, Ippodo Tea carefully selects, blends, and processes each of its 30+ varieties to deliver aromatic and well-balanced teas.
BEST Ippodo Tea Teas and Herbal Infusions
08

Tea / Infusion

MAKURAZAKI, Japan
4.7
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2021

BEST Kaoru Teas and Herbal Infusions
09
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Echelle Trading Company is based in Japan and specializes in the production and trade of black tea. The company is known for sourcing high-quality tea leaves and has established a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. Their product range includes a variety of black teas, catering to different taste preferences and quality standards.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

BEST Echelle Trading Company Teas and Herbal Infusions
10

Tea / Infusion

SHIZUOKA, Japan
4.7
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024

BEST Yamaei Teas and Herbal Infusions
11
12
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Japanese Teas and Herbal Infusions

01
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022

02
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2021

03
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

04
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022, 2021

05
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The House Matcha is made from Ichibancha, the first tea harvest of the year, and is carefully grown in the shade for 20 to 30 days before harvest using the "Jikagise" method. This process enhances the matcha's noble aroma, refreshing scent, and mellow taste.


The tea is ground with a traditional stone mortar and pestle, called a Hikiusu, ensuring a fine texture and rich flavor. To maintain freshness, the matcha is packaged in a resealable zip-lock bag. It's recommended to remove as much air as possible when sealing the package after opening. 
06
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Matcha is a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves, originating from Japan, known for its intense green color and rich, umami flavor. Unlike traditional green teas, matcha involves consuming the whole leaf, which allows for the intake of all the nutrients and antioxidants contained in the plant.


Matcha is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that improves concentration and reduces stress. The caffeine in matcha provides energy without causing jitteriness, making it a healthier alternative to coffee.
07
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Kan-no-shiro is a matcha powder that provides a well-balanced, mild flavor with a refreshing, slightly bitter aftertaste that stimulates energy. It is ideal for moments when you want to relax or take a break from concentration. This matcha is recommended to be paired with light and airy desserts such as waffles, chiffon cake, or cheesecake soufflé.


For preparation, use 2 grams of matcha powder with 60 ml of hot water (around 80°C) for usucha (thin matcha) and whisk for 15 seconds. For koicha (thick matcha), use 4 grams of matcha powder with 30 ml of hot water (around 80°C) and whisk for 15 seconds. 
08
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023, 2022

09
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2021

10
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Japanese Teas and Herbal Infusions