Nomenclature of tea leaves and beverages frequently drunk in Japan. These terms refer to Japanese common market products made using green tea crafting techniques.

  Nearly all tea produced in Japan uses green tea (緑茶) crafting techniques
  玉露 煎茶 番茶 抹茶 芽茶 焙じ茶 玄米茶
literal meaning
jade dew
parched tea
common tea
powdered tea
bud tea
roasted tea
roasted rice tea
common English name

"Japanese tea"

Might see: Gyokuro

"Japanese tea"

Might see: Sencha

"Japanese tea"

Might see: Bancha

"powdered Japanese tea" "powdered green tea" "tea ceremony tea" etc.

Might see: Matcha

Might see: Hojicha
Might see: Genmaicha
our class will use these terms (memorize them): Gyokuro Sencha Bancha Matcha  

Hojicha

(more properly this tea should be "Hōjicha" -- this class will not use macrons)

Genmaicha
  • when the above distinctions are necessary, I will use the term "Japanese green tea" generically
  • for Chinese terms go to: Tea Nomenclature China
description
highest grade green tea
high grade green tea, this is the most commonly drunk
common green tea
this is highest- or high-grade tea such as 玉露 that is ground into a fine powder
this tea uses the tips of the tea plant only
this tea roasts the stems primarily
this is a flavored teathat includes roasted rice