Bancha
Bancha is everyday Japanese green tea from later harvests or coarser, mature leaves, lighter and more robust than sencha, low in bitterness and inexpensive.
Definition
Bancha, roughly "common tea" or "late tea", covers a wide group of Japanese teas made from larger, more mature leaves. In mainstream production, it comes from the second (nibancha) and third harvests in summer, the autumn pick, or from trimmings when bushes are pruned. It is processed like sencha, steamed, rolled and dried, but the bigger leaves give coarser, flatter pieces. The flavor is lighter, woodier and less sweet than sencha, with lower umami and less aroma. Bitterness is mild because mature leaves have fewer of the compounds that become harsh in hot water. Bancha is a daily table tea in Japan and the most common base for hojicha and genmaicha. Bancha also refers to several distinct regional teas. Kyobancha from Kyoto is made from large leaves and stems that are steamed, dried without rolling and roasted, giving a smoky aroma. Awa bancha from Tokushima and Goishi-cha from Kochi are post-fermented with lactic acid bacteria, producing a sour taste. These regional teas have little in common with standard bancha except the name.
In Depth
Brew at 80-90°C (176-194°F) for 30-60 seconds, about 4-5 g per 200 ml in a kyusu. Bancha tolerates hotter water than sencha because it has less to go bitter. It also works well in a Western pot or a large kettle for family use, and it cold brews cleanly.
Caffeine is lower than sencha, generally about 10-30 mg per 240 ml, since mature leaves carry less caffeine than young shoots.
Bancha is sold in many grades and is usually inexpensive. Quality markers are the same as for sencha: uniform pieces, good green color, and a fresh, clean smell. A dull khaki color and dusty or musty smell mean old stock. For regional styles such as Kyobancha or Awa bancha, follow the producer's brewing directions; they are often simmered or brewed at boiling.
See Also
- Everyday Japanese Tea
- Japanese Tea Harvests
- Post-Fermented Japanese Tea