Kanaya Tea

Does green tea contain caffeine?
Green Tea contains mild amounts of caffeine compared to brewed coffee and black tea. Steeping time determines the degree of caffeine in tea. If you want to reduce the amount of caffeine, simply brew your tea for less time Brewed coffee contains 120 mg, black tea 40 mg, and green tea 20-30 mg. Our hojicha which is roasted quickly over hot flames contains the least amount of caffeine. Many of our customers enjoy drinking Hojicha in the evening or with dessert.
What are the health benefits of drinking green tea?
Green tea was used in Japan during 15th century for medicinal purposes. As we now know, green tea contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Studies suggest that green tea consumption may help to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, help prevent cavities, and balance ph levels. Does the quality of green tea affect the health benefits? In other words, do I still get the same benefits if I drink inexpensive tea? Consider how you buy produce or other fresh foods for you and your family. Just as you would want the freshest and best quality fruit and vegetables at your table, the highest quality teas bring you the most benefits. Fresh tea from the source without additives or preservatives is best.
What’s the best way to store my tea?
Moisture and heat are the two things to avoid when storing tea. Exposure to moisture and heat can cause the tea leaves to oxidize and lose flavor. Kanaya Teas are best stored in a cool place in the foil wrapper with a clip or rubber band. Kanaya Fine Teas are picked, rolled, steamed, and sealed immediately to lock in freshness. How long will it stay fresh? Opened tea should be consumed within one month and unopened teas should be consumed within 1 year to ensure freshness.
What’s the best time to enjoy each tea?
Sencha - can is enjoyed in the morning and throughout the day. In Japan, tea is enjoyed from early morning to after dinner. We love to pair strong cups of Sencha with sweets and chocolate for a special treat. Hojicha - contains the least amount of caffeine, so many people enjoy drinking it in the evening or right before bed. It also has a clean flavor that can be served over ice in the summertime or to clear the palate between meal courses. Genmaicha and Genmaicha with matcha powder are both traditional teas that are blended with toasted and popped rice. They can compliment meals or can be served alone to discover the many layers of flavor. Our Sencha Iced Tea is the perfect thirst quencher on hot days, especially before or after exercise.
What is better, whole leaf or tea bags?
Our tea bags have the same quality of tea that is contained in our whole leaf teas. Tea bags are a convenient way to enjoy Kanaya Fine Tea anytime. The silken bags allow for all the tea flavor to release into your cup. Compare Kanaya silken bags with traditional tea bags and taste the difference. Sencha Iced Tea bags are convenient to take on the road or to the office or gym. We want to be a gentle reminder to make the time to enjoy a pot of tea, to share this experience with someone. Notice as you create the time to prepare and drink a pot of tea, you create space in your day for new, fresh possibilities. You can make a perfect cup of tea in less than 5 minutes and you could just change the course of your day in the process!
Do I need a special teapot to brew Kanaya Tea
To brew the perfect pot of Kanaya Fine Tea start with fresh filtered water (see brewing instructions). The perfect pot can be ceramic or cast iron but the most important thing is to use a small tea pot. Tea masters remind us to brew small batches of tea at a time and consume all the tea in the teapot; the last drops have the best flavor. You may notice that some days you feel like using a traditional Tetsubin (cast iron tea pot) to serve your tea while at other times a ceramic pot seems more apropos. What makes Kanaya Tea special? All Kanaya Fine Teas are hand selected and carefully steamed and sealed at the field to retain freshness. We import only the freshest first plucked teas of the season. Some teas are sold in boxes or tins that are stored for long periods without the benefit of being sealed. Our special foil packaging seals in freshness and insures that our teas are protected from moisture and heat.
Does water quality really make a difference when brewing Kanaya Tea?
Hard water and chlorine can ruin a pot of tea. Whenever possible, we recommend using spring water or filtered water to brew your tea. It’s important to bring the water to a boil to rid it of chemicals like chlorine. After boiling, pour the hot water into your tea cups(s) to warm the cups and cool the water a bit, then pour the water from the tea cups over the tea leaves. Cover to steep. You can also do this with a tea bag as it greatly enhances the flavor of tea. Please refer to the insert in your tea canister that explains tea brewing instructions in more depth. Steeping time is shorter than you may be accustomed to because of Kanaya Teas are of exceptional quality. You may also get 2-3 cups of tea from each infusion. Steeping time is a little longer with each subsequent pouring.
What are the characteristics of Japanese Green Tea?
Japanese green teas are unquestionably some of the deepest green teas you will find. The aroma is unmistakably natural and refreshing. The steaming process halts oxidation of the tea leaves and chlorophyll (green) is preserved. How does it differ from other green teas? Some teas are plucked several times in one season not allowing the plant to rest. All Kanaya Fine Teas are from first plucking ensuring the freshest and best quality.
Why is there in a difference of flavor in green teas?
Isn’t green tea all the same? Growing conditions, such as rain, climate, soil condition and methods of farming all contribute to overall tea quality. Kanaya Teas are grown in the Shizuoka region of Japan near the foothills of Mt. Fuji. Pristine air, fertile soil, and abundant rain provide ideal growing conditions for the tea plant (camellia sinesis). Kanaya Teas are steamed after picking and this process allows for the natural and delicate flavor to be preserved. Some green teas from parts of Asia are pan parched or fermented as a part of the process after picking giving their own distinctive flavor and requiring different instructions for brewing from Kanaya Fine Teas grown in Japan.