Which tea variety is explicitly noted as an extremely high quality product requiring intensive shading, primarily as the precursor leaf for Matcha?
Answer
Tencha
Tencha holds a unique place among high-quality Japanese teas because its primary designation relates to its preparation for a specific final product. Like Gyokuro, Tencha undergoes intensive shading, leading to a premium chemical composition. However, Tencha is defined by being the leaf material *before* it undergoes grinding to become Matcha powder. While it is considered elite due to the cultivation methods employed, its role is often seen as preparatory rather than being a standalone infusion grade in the same sense that Gyokuro is enjoyed.
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