Japanese Green Tea

Japanese tea is getting popular these days. This page helps you to learn how to pronounce the names of various Japanese teas.

Ocha - Japanese tea in general

Although "cha" means "tea," it is usually called "o-cha." "O" is a prefix of respect. Learn more about how to use "o" in Japanese words.

How to Order Japanese Tea

Ocha o kudasai. （お茶をください。)

Ocha, onegaishimasu. （お茶、お願いします。）

This is how to order Japanese tea at Japanese restaurant. Both "kudasai" and "onegaishimasu" are used when making a request for items. Learn more about "kudasai" and "onegaishimasu". The Japanese tea is complementary at most restaurants in Japan.

Japanese Tea Pronunciation

Here are the names of common Japanese teas. Click the links to hear the pronunciation. You might find it sounds monotone. This is because Japanese has a pitch accent unlike a stress accent in English.

Matcha （抹茶）

Gyokuro （玉露）

Sencha （煎茶）

Bancha （番茶）

Houjicha （ほうじ茶）

Genmaicha （玄米茶)

Learn about each type of Japanese tea. Learn the pronunciation of other Japanese beverages.

Trivia About Japanese Tea

There is a matcha flavored Kit Kat, which is a limited version only available in Kyoto.

Starbucks in Japan have a "Matcha Latte" just like the ones in North America. They also carry "Sakura Steamed Milk" and "Sakura Frappuccino" as spring specials. "Sakura" means "cherry blossom."I find it is very Japanese to see "Sakura Beverages" on the menu. They remind me of Sakura-yu which is a tea-like drink made by steeping a salt-preserved cherry blossom in hot water. It is often served at weddings and other auspicious occasions.

Bottled green tea (unsweetened) is a popular drink in Japan. You can easily find it in vending machines or convenience stores.

Ochazuke is a simple dish which is basically Japanese tea poured over rice with savory toppings. "Cha-soba" is buckwheat noodles flavored with green tea powder. Matcha is also commonly used for sweets, such as cookies, cakes, chocolate, ice cream, Japanese sweets and so on.

The Shizuoka prefecture has the largest production of green tea and it is considered the best tea in Japan.