sencha

Sencha is characterized by its vibrant green color and a flavor profile that ranges from grassy and vegetal to slightly sweet. It is the most popular tea in Japan, distinguished from matcha by its processing method; while matcha is a powder made from shade-grown leaves, sencha is made from leaves grown in full sun and processed into needles.

In a culinary or tea-tasting context, the term is often used to contrast different grades of tea, such as high-grade first-flush sencha versus lower-grade versions. It is typically brewed as a steeped infusion rather than whisked into a suspension.