Ibuki magazine sits down with Hiroshi Maeda, president of Maeda-en.
By Misa Murohashi

Q. How is green tea made?
The process of tea making can be roughly broken down into three steps: steaming, rolling and finishing. Steaming stops the leaves from oxidizing and gives Japanese green tea its characteristic color and grassy aroma. This step is called sassei, or kill-green. Regular sencha is steamed for 30 to 40 seconds, but deep-steamed (fukamushi) sencha can be steamed for as long as 120 seconds. Rolling helps to dry the tea leaves and gives them their characteristic needle-like shape. During the finishing step, tea leaves are selected by shape and subsequently shaped accordingly (separation of kukicha and konacha happens at this step). Then the shaped leaves can be roasted in a quick fire to give a caramelized scent called “hiire-ka” (roast scent). Finally, the tea is blended with other teas to create a stable, reliable tea. Matcha is made a little differently. First of all, matcha leaves are made of tencha, which are steamed, unrolled leaves. The tencha leaves are then finely and slowly grounded in a stone mill. Maeda-en is carefully following an old tradition of these processes to make the best teas.

Q. What makes green tea different from black tea and other tea?
“Tea” can be divided into three broad categories:  unfermented, semi-fermented and fermented drinks.  White, green, blue-green, black roasted and smoked teas come from the same plant; it is the processing of the leaves that makes the difference. Japanese green tea is the unfermented type. To  stop of the fermentation of tea leaves, we use “steaming.” Although there are many different types of Japanese green tea, the kind most often made and used by people in Japan is the steamed type of “sencha” and “fukamushicha.” Aromatic teas such as bancha and hojicha are very popular as well. The Maeda-en Sencha Tea Bag 100 is our most popular item here in the USA.

Q. Most people recognize green tea as a healthy beverage, but many are not quite sure what the health benefits are. Can you tell us what are some of the health benefits of drinking green tea?
Recent study supports widely held perceptions of the benefits of green tea.  For example, a key amino acid in green tea called L-theanine is known to reduce physical and psychological stress responses. Japanese green tea contains some caffeine, which, when taken with L-theanine naturally contained in green tea, may improve one’s alertness and mood. Japanese green tea also contains a considerable amount of vitamin C, but a study has shown that increasing L-theanine levels in your blood may boost immune system responses. And since your immune system is good and running, it can prevent bacteria growth that leads to bad breath. Catechins, a type of polyphenol contained in Japanese green tea, are said to maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol. Other clinical trials have shown that drinking green tea can increase fat oxidation and prevent obesity. In a different clinical trial, the catechin in Japanese green tea has also been shown to increase over-all metabolism. Drinking three or more cups of tea a day may contribute to your good health.

Q. What should people look for when selecting a green tea in order to experience good flavor and maximum health benefits?
Because the growth and harvest method is different with each tea type, naturally there are differences in nutritional value.  Catechins that give astringency to teas are contained most in sencha, whereas amino acids that give sweetness and savoriness to teas are contained most in matcha green tea powder. People sometimes want an astringent taste and at other times want a smooth, aromatic blend.  Thus, a good way to become familiar with teas is sampling each tea and selecting the best one to suit your mood and occasion.

Q. How can we determine the quality of green tea?
High quality green tea leaves have a uniform size and shape.  They have a shiny appearance and a vivid dark green color.  High quality green tea has a refreshing fragrance of young leaves.
Q6. Please tell us about Maeda-en’s green tea products.
Maeda-en only produces the freshest, finest Japanese green tea. Our teas are all natural with no artificial colors or flavors and are directly imported from Japan. These are the qualities we cannot compromise on as green tea specialists. We have lived and breathed by our authentic and traditional mantra for the last 26 years. On the other hand, Maeda-en has researched and developed new, alternative applications for green tea. Our products range from traditional to contemporary.

Create a green tea recipe and
win $500 cash!!

Maeda-en is currently promoting a recipe competition using its new product, Maeda-en Matcha Green Tea Powder Culinary Quality.
This new product from Maeda-en is 100% natural green tea powder from Japan.  Maeda-en Matcha Culinary Quality is the perfect ingredient for enhancing the health benefits and flavor of a wide range or recipes.  We await your original, simple, tasty recipe. Purchase the green tea powder at Uwajimaya or your favorite Asian grocer and create your own recipe. The most inspiring recipe will win $500! For more information, see the Taste of Matcha Recipe Contest on page two or visit http://maeda-en.com/greentea/201011_matcha_contest.php. Contest deadline is January 11th.