Japanese loose leaf teas and matcha powder
Tencha’s mission is to spread our love and appreciation for Japanese teas and tea farmers to our fellow tea drinkers here in london and the UK.
There is a world flavour to discover and we aim to help our customers explore this fascinating land of tea.
Our wish is for our customers to understand the dedication and hard work that goes into creating these loose leaf teas and believe traceability is key. Celebrating the farmers, producers and artisans who create the teas, matcha powders and tea ware we sell.
Japanese tea is our passion and we believe it should be enjoyed at any time of day and for any occasion.
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Our Top Picks
A selection of our current favourite loose leaf teas and matcha
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Ohana Botanica: Menehune - Sansho Pepper Hojicha
Regular price £9.60 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Kurihara Tea Farm: Mountain Grown Yame Kabusecha
Regular price From £4.50 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Uejima Tea Farm: Imperial Ceremonial Grade, Tempaku Matcha
Regular price £27.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Chiyonoen Tea Garden: Snowing Mountain Yame Benifuuki Spring Black Tea
Regular price From £3.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per -
Yamane-en: Aomori Dattan Sobacha
Regular price £10.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
What is Wakocha?
Join us as we explore Japanese black tea production methods, health benefits and history
From Sencha to Matcha there are so many variations of green tea to enjoy
There is a whole world of loose leaf green teas to explore.
From sweet and subtle sencha to umami rich gyokuro and nutty roasted hojicha take a look through our wide range of specially selected Japanese loose leaf teas from farms we know and trust.
Japanese Green Tea Snapshot ...
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Sencha
Sencha green tea can vary greatly depending on the cultivar, harvest season and steam time. Sencha is generally unshaded meaning the umami in the tea leaves has not had a chance to develop.
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Kamairicha
Rather than steaming to stop oxidisation, Kamairicha is "pan-fired" or "pan-roasted" green tea.
This gives the resulting tea a more cooked, vegetal flavour.
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Kukicha
Kukicha is stem tea. The stems and stalks that are processed but not used for sencha, kabusecha and gyokuro still have lots of flavour and make a delicious brew.
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Genmaicha
Genmai "rice" green tea is a blend of toasted rice and green tea. This delicious tea pairs well with food as it has the roasted, nutty aroma of the rice with grassy green tea.
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Gyokuro
Umami rich and sweet Gyokuro is a shaded loose leaf green tea with low astringency and bitterness. This tea works best when brewed at low temperatures.
Japanese craftsmanship at it's best
Suikaen Tanimura Yasaburo Takayama Chasen & Utensils
A collection of tea utensils created by master Yasaburo Tanumura & Suikaen...
Calligraphy Art by Eriko Aiura
We are thrilled to have a selection of art by Sho Calligrapher...
More Than A Matcha
Although Japan is probably best known for its loose leaf green teas and matcha powder there is so much more to offer in the world of Japanese tea.
Produced and grown by farmers across Japan we have a selection of black tea and oolong as well as fermented and blended herbal infusions
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Goishicha
Goishicha, is a very rare folk tea made on the island of Shikoku. This tea goes through a double fermentation process giving it a slightly sweet and sour flavour.
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Wakocha
Black tea production is becoming more prevalent across Japan. Unlike black teas from some other tea producing regions, Japanese black Tea or Wakocha is much lighter, naturally floral and contains very little tannin.
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Koji Fermentation
Koji, better known for it's use in the creation of miso or Japanese sake can also be used to produce interesting new flavours in loose leaf tea.
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Oolong
Although not well known for producing Oolong teas, some Japanese tea farmers have started to explore this type of tea production with their own cultivars producing some beautiful results
Okinawan Tea
Teas from the tropical Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa.
Oolong & Dark Teas
A selection of Japanese oolong and unusual fermented, dark teas.
Wakocha (Black Tea)
What is Wakocha? Similar to Wa-gashi 和菓子, Japanese sweets, or 和食 Wa-shoku,...
About Tencha
Based in West London, Tencha takes its name from the leaves used to make matcha tea.
We are passionate about spreading our love for Japanese loose leaf tea to our customers in London and across the UK.
Find us at a variety of events and markets across the city.
To keep in the loop of where we will be popping up next, subscribe to our mailing list below or keep up to date through instagram.
If you would like to hire Tencha for an event in or outside of London we are excited to help you with your request!
Blog posts
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What is Wakocha? An exploration into Japanese B...
Explore Wakocha with us. What is it and how does it differ from black tea processed in other areas of the world?
What is Wakocha? An exploration into Japanese B...
Explore Wakocha with us. What is it and how does it differ from black tea processed in other areas of the world?
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Japanese Tea with Best Japanese Blog
We were recently asked by Babur from Best-Japanese Lifestyle & Culture Blog to write a guest post about Japanese teas for beginners. The post includes a brief look at 13...
Japanese Tea with Best Japanese Blog
We were recently asked by Babur from Best-Japanese Lifestyle & Culture Blog to write a guest post about Japanese teas for beginners. The post includes a brief look at 13...
Let customers speak for us
This is a wonderful oolong, smooth and subtle, full of notes of chocolate, toffee, forest floor, and mushrooms. Japanese oolongs are not common, but this is one of the best I’ve had.
I am very happy with this. I framed it and have placed it on my home 'altar' where I meditate. The Enso symbol is very aesthetic and a wonderful symbol of enlightenment and wholeness.
Delicious Sencha with sweet notes that gently stays on the palate, accompanied by a floral aroma.
The delightful matcha tea boasts a strong aroma and flavour. It offers a rich umami taste complemented by gentle sweet undertones.
This matcha tea is soo good!
great quality, smooth not bitter, great value
beautifully presented tea....just as I want it...two sencha and one matcha..the yuzu citrus sencha was new so I opened first and inhaled the new scent..enjoying as I slowly drank
It's perfect for me to use as tea decanter. This light weight and delicate bowl. Love it!!
A beautiful kyusu and an absolute pleasure to use
Quite a delicate taste and I rebrew it several times. I like thinking of it helping me to live longer - I"ll let you know if I make it to 100!
Beautiful tin!
I'm a massive fan of Matcha but I been having trouble to find good quality or good graded ones . I was almost convinced when I tasted Culniary grade . No . Tencha is a MUST buy brand . Great quality
My order arrived and it came with an appreciation card. They really take care of their customers.
I have already made my own matcha latte
I'm just going to say a very enjoyable tea and I like it best around just above 60°C🤗