 | |
| Type | Green tea |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  Japan |
| Region or state | Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Invented | circa 1960s |
Fukamushicha (Japanese: 深蒸し茶, lit. 'deep-steamed tea') refers to Japanese green teas whose raw leaves undergo a relatively long steaming process of 1 to 3 minutes.[1][2] This process results in tea with a fine powdery texture, a dark green infusion, and a rich flavor.[3] It is usually brewed with water between 70 and 90 degrees Celsius, and for roughly 30 seconds.
History
[edit]Fukamushicha emerged around the 1960s in Shizuoka prefecture[4] with its exact origin being claimed by multiple towns and cities: Kikugawa,[5] Makinohara,[4] Kakegawa, and Shimada.
Due to relatively low tea exports at the time, Japanese tea producers sought to invigorate the domestic market by experimenting with longer steaming times.[4] The result was a tea of rich flavor, mild aroma and little to no bitterness.
Today, fukamushicha is produced in many Japanese prefectures and makes up a large proportion of Japanese tea production.[4]
Process
[edit]This method is intended to alter the flavor and appearance of the tea.[6][7] Fresh tea leaves are steamed to neutralize the enzymes that cause oxidization. After this, they are kneaded and dried.
Fukamushicha can be made with leaves of sencha, kabusecha, and gyokuro.
References
[edit]- ^ "Fukamushi Kikugawacha｜Information on Registered GIs・Search for GI Product｜Information Website on Japan Geographical Indication Products". Information Website on Japan Geographical Indication Products. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Fukamushicha – Characteristics and Brewing of Deep-Steamed Green Tea". Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Fukamushi (Deep-Steamed) Sencha｜Tea Varieties and Brewing｜松北園 Shohokuen". www.ujicha.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ a b c d Ako, Yoshino. "The history of Fukamushi-cha" (PDF). Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Light Steamed Sencha or Fukamushi, Deep Steamed Sencha ?". Liliku Tea. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Product Information Organic Kakegawa Fukamushi-sencha (deep-steamed green tea) (FL1 to FL5)". Love&Peace and Tea Chamart (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Chagusaba Farming Method Promotion Council. Fukamushicha: Deep-steamed green tea" (PDF).