What is Bancha green tea?
Bancha tea has the specificity of being made from the last tea harvest of the year, which takes place in October. This late harvest influences the size of the leaves, which are wider because they are more mature. But also darker, because they are older. These specificities play on the taste of Bancha tea, which gives off a woody, herbaceous smell, of organic straw.
The daily and frequent use of this tea could have contributed to its name, since Bancha means “common”, “ordinary” in Japanese. Note that it is not simply drunk in the Archipelago, but is also used to prepare broths, intended to cook rice or to prepare certain vegetable and fish dishes.
What is the difference between Sencha tea and Bancha tea?
In reality, it is the same tea plant as Sencha tea, it is simply not harvested at the same time. If Sencha green tea is harvested during optimal periods, depending on the climate, the weather, from early spring to late summer, depending on the Japanese islands. The Bancha tea leaves come from the last harvest of the year, during October. Picked later, it is considered of lower quality. Which makes it cheap, and explains its frequent use.
What are the health benefits of Bancha green tea?
Natural anti-stress thanks to the presence of theanine, rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamin C, the green tea Bancha is renowned for its multiple benefits for health and the body. Its high content of polyphenols (or catechins) helps to strengthen the immune system, fight against aging and the action of free radicals, while facilitating weight loss.
However, be careful with the health claims that are made between green tea and weight loss. Combined with a rich and varied diet and regular sporting activity, green tea promotes elimination thanks to the numerous antioxidants (catechins) it contains. On the other hand, it cannot make you lose weight strictly speaking.
The specificity of Bancha green tea? It is its low theine/caffeine content, which makes it accessible to young people and people sensitive to this molecule. This makes it easier to enjoy in the evening and late afternoon. Containing half as much caffeine as a Gyokuro or a Sencha, it also represents a good alternative for people wishing to reduce their caffeine consumption.
Another particularity is its beneficial effects on digestion. Indeed, due to its richness in tannins, Bancha green tea would facilitate transit and would be an excellent ally after a slightly rich meal.
To find out more: discoverthe benefits associated with green tea.
How to prepare Bancha tea to make the most of its benefits?
Unlike matcha tea (consisting of foaming tea powder), Bancha tea is consumed in the traditional way. By letting the tea leaves steep. The water should never be boiling, but simmering, to preserve the quality of the leaves.
For a successful Bancha tea, opt for an infusion lasting 30 seconds to 2 minutes in water at a temperature of 70°. Be careful not to let it steep too much, as the tea can take on a metallic or bitter taste.
In summer, we recommend preparing it iced tea style. Infuse three small spoons of Bancha tea in half a liter of simmering water (heated to a temperature of 70°C). Leave to infuse for two minutes, before filtering. Pour the infusion obtained into a jug filled with ice cubes, add slices of lemon, peach or mint leaves (according to your desires). Before serving and enjoying!
For a quality tea, we opt for organic Bancha
Kusmi recommends that you choose a Bancha green tea from organic farming. Indeed, the organic designation is a guarantee of quality and guarantees numerous checks on the tea leaves during the production and development of the product. In addition, organic green tea reassures you about the possible presence of pesticides or chemical elements because it meets strict specifications established by the European Union. Kusmi Tea organic teas and infusions are AB and Ecocert certified. Packaging is also part of a recycling and waste reduction approach. This is why we encourage you to opt for bulk organic bancha tea, packaged in metal boxes, an infinitely recyclable material.
Our opinion on Bancha tea
Bancha green tea takes you directly to the heart of Japanese culture to the extent that this tea is an integral part of the daily life of the Japanese. Second most consumed tea after Sencha tea in Japan, Bancha is perfect as an after-meal tea because it facilitates digestion! Green tea is more affordable to purchase than Sencha or Matcha, but it is nonetheless interesting in terms of taste. An everyday tea that will find its place among your other drinks.