Tamaryokucha facts for kids
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| Type: | Green |
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| Other names: | Guricha |
| Origin: | Japan |
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| Quick description: | Milder and less astringent than a typical Japanese green tea. |
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Tamaryokucha is a special kind of green tea from Japan. It is also known as Guricha. This tea has a unique taste, often described as tangy and like berries. After you drink it, you might notice a taste similar to almonds. It also has a deep smell with hints of citrus, grass, and berries.
Contents
How Tamaryokucha Tea is Made
Tea leaves contain natural chemicals called enzymes. These enzymes need to be stopped so the tea can keep its fresh green color and flavor. There are two main ways to do this for Tamaryokucha:
- Pan-frying: This method is more common in China. It is not used very often in Japan for this tea.
- Steaming: Most Japanese teas are made this way. Many people believe steaming helps keep more vitamins and antioxidants in the tea.
The taste of the tea can change depending on how it is processed. Pan-fried Tamaryokucha often smells more like cooked vegetables.
After the enzymes are stopped, the tea leaves are rolled. Unlike many other Japanese teas like sencha, Tamaryokucha leaves are rolled into a "comma" shape. They are not kneaded into long, thin "needle" shapes.
Where Tamaryokucha Comes From
This special green tea is mainly grown in the Kyūshū area of Japan.
How to Enjoy Tamaryokucha
When you brew Tamaryokucha, the tea liquid is a golden yellow color. To make a good cup, you should steep the tea leaves in hot water.
- Use water that is about 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) for about two minutes.
- Or, use water that is about 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) for about one minute.
Tamaryokucha has a normal amount of caffeine for a green tea. You can drink it throughout the day. You can also steep the same tea leaves more than once. Each time, the taste might be a little different!
What Do the Names Mean?
The name Tamaryokucha means "coiled-green-tea." The word tama can mean "ball" or "jewel," but here it means "coiled" or "rolled."
The name Guricha means "curly-tea." Guri is the name of an old Japanese design pattern that looks curly.
Both names, Tamaryokucha and Guricha, describe the unique comma-shaped, coiled leaves of this tea.
See also
In Spanish: Tamaryokucha para niños
