What Is Fukamushi-cha? Appeals and Recommended Ways to Enjoy It

Have you ever heard that "fukamushi-cha" (deep-steamed green tea) is good for your health?
In fact, fukamushi-cha is a type of tea that has higher nutritional value than regular sencha (green tea) and offers a mellow taste. Many people are paying attention to its rich nutritional content and the deep flavor derived from its unique production method.
Here, we will introduce the production method of fukamushi-cha, its differences from regular sencha, effective ways to drink and enjoy it in daily life, and even recommended products.

What is Fukamushi-cha? Differences from Regular Sencha

Have you ever wondered, "What's the difference between fukamushi-cha and regular sencha?"
Fukamushi-cha is a tea characterized by its flavor and nutrition, resulting from a longer steaming process than usual.

Production Method and Characteristics of Fukamushi-cha

Fukamushi-cha, as its name suggests, is a tea produced by steaming tea leaves for a longer period than usual.
This method results in significant changes in the color, flavor, and nutritional value of the tea leaves.

Visually, the tea leaves are typically finely crushed and turn a deep green color.
In terms of flavor, the prolonged steaming thoroughly heats the inside of the tea leaves, drawing out a richer and mellower taste.

Nutritionally, it contains more caffeine and polyphenols than regular sencha, and components like theanine and catechins, combined with the unique mellow taste of fukamushi-cha, are believed to provide relaxation and antioxidant effects.

Because of these characteristics, fukamushi-cha is widely supported as a very attractive tea for health-conscious individuals.

Differences from Regular Sencha

Fukamushi-cha and regular sencha differ in various aspects, including their production methods and flavors.

First, regarding the production method, fukamushi-cha involves steaming the tea leaves for a longer time than usual, which makes it easier to extract the leaf components. During this process, the tea leaves become finer, and a richer array of components is extracted.

In terms of flavor, fukamushi-cha is characterized by its mellow and rich taste. Due to the longer steaming time, astringency is suppressed, and sweetness and umami become more prominent.

Both teas have their merits, but fukamushi-cha is especially recommended for those who prefer a rich flavor.

Reasons why Fukamushi-cha is good for your health

Fukamushi-cha is characterized by the thorough extraction of nutrients from the tea leaves due to the long steaming time.
It is garnering attention as a tea that supports health and beauty, packed with beneficial nutrients for the body.

Fukamushi-cha Nutrients

Fukamushi-cha is rich in beneficial ingredients such as catechins, theanine, vitamin C, and dietary fiber.

• Catechins: Support immunity with strong antioxidant effects

• Vitamin C: For beautiful skin and fatigue recovery

• Theanine: Has relaxing effects and reduces stress

• Dietary fiber: Also works to improve gut health

The longer steaming time ensures that more of these components are extracted, making efficient intake possible, which is a significant appeal of fukamushi-cha.

How to Enjoy Fukamushi-cha

To enjoy fukamushi-cha even more deliciously, there are a few tips for brewing it.

• Recommended brewing method: Steep in 80℃ water for 30-60 seconds.

• A little ingenuity for even better taste: Brew the first cup for a shorter time, and the second and third cups for a bit longer to enjoy different flavors.

Enjoying it as iced tea in summer
Fukamushi-cha can also be enjoyed as iced tea. Simply steep the tea leaves slowly in cold water to get a refreshing and mellow flavor. In the hot season, it's also recommended to enjoy it chilled with ice in a glass.

Utilizing it in cooking
Finely chopping fukamushi-cha leaves and adding them to stir-fries or salads is another way to enjoy it. The subtle aroma of tea will enhance your dishes, making them a notch above. Since you can also get nutrients, it's perfect for health-conscious individuals.

As you can see, fukamushi-cha can be enjoyed in various ways, not just by drinking it. Please try to experience the full charm of fukamushi-cha in a style that suits you.

The Relationship between Shincha and Fukamushi-cha

Shincha (new tea) consists of fresh tea leaves picked in spring, offering a high aroma and rich nutritional value.
When this shincha is processed using the deep-steaming method, its astringency is reduced, resulting in a mellow and rich flavor. The refreshing taste unique to shincha combined with the rich umami characteristic of fukamushi-cha creates a more flavorful and easy-to-drink tea.

What is Shincha?

Shincha refers to the "first flush" tea leaves picked in early spring. These picked tea leaves are carefully finished through a steaming process, bringing out the refreshing aroma and taste unique to young leaves. Fresh tea leaves are characterized by their vibrant green color and fresh flavor.
Among them, shincha finished with the deep-steaming method is particularly popular. Since it is steamed for a longer time than usual, astringency is suppressed, resulting in a mellow and rich taste.

The refreshing flavor of shincha harmonizes with the rich umami unique to fukamushi-cha, allowing for a more drinkable and rich taste experience.

The Appeal of Deep-Steamed Shincha

Deep-steamed shincha is a special tea made from freshly harvested young leaves, and its appeal is multifaceted. The deep-steaming method finely crushes the tea leaves, ensuring that the components are thoroughly extracted. As a result, its aroma and flavor are exceptionally rich, and its nutritional value is also high.

Please experience the refreshing quality unique to shincha and the rich flavor created by the deep-steaming process.

Recommended Fukamushi-cha Products

"Ryokucha Densetsu Miyabi" (Green Tea Legend: Elegance)

This is a high-quality deep-steamed green tea made from shincha produced in Kagoshima Prefecture. Fresh tea leaves picked in spring 2025 are carefully finished using the deep-steaming method.

This allows you to enjoy a mellow and rich taste, a vibrant green color, and a rich aroma.

▼Purchase here
2025 Shincha Ryokucha Densetsu Miyabi Canned

 

"Kakuhori Choose Your Own 2-Bottle Gift Set"

This gift set allows you to freely choose and combine two of your favorite teas from Wakohen's diverse selection.
The lineup includes kamairi-cha "Okumidori", fukamushi-sencha "Asatsuyu", "Yutakamidori", and "Saemidori", regular sencha "Saemidori", and also hojicha, oolong tea, and black tea (all "Benifuki"), offering a rich variety of green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and hojicha.
Each is available in 30g or 20g, making it appealing to combine according to the recipient's preference or the occasion. It is carefully packed in a high-quality box, perfect for seasonal greetings, souvenirs, or special occasion gifts.

▼Purchase here
"Kakuhori Choose Your Own 2-Bottle Gift Set"