What is the approximate shading duration for Matcha's base, Tencha?
Answer
Closer to three or four weeks
The duration of light deprivation is a crucial differentiator among shaded teas. While Gyokuro bushes are typically covered for around three weeks prior to picking, the leaves destined for Matcha production, known as tencha, undergo a more intense shading period, often lasting closer to three or four weeks, or even longer. This extended shading maximizes the chemical changes, boosting the desirable compounds like L-theanine even further before the leaves are dried (without rolling) and eventually stone-ground into the final Matcha powder.
#Videos
How Matcha Gets its Flavour | The Science of Shading - YouTube
Related Questions
What amino acid production increases during shading, yielding umami?How is Gyokuro consumed compared to Matcha?What is the approximate shading duration for Matcha's base, Tencha?What is the literal translation of Gyokuro?Where does Kabusecha fit regarding Gyokuro in shading intensity?What characterizes the consumption method of Matcha?Inhibiting catechin conversion during shading reduces which common tea characteristic?What is the mandatory low temperature range for brewing Gyokuro?Which term defines the general technique of shading Japanese green tea?What post-shading labor creates distinct investment tiers between Matcha and Gyokuro?