A Day in Tea: The Best Japanese Teas for Morning, Afternoon, and Evening
Tea has a way of setting the tone for each part of the day. Selecting teas to match the moment brings variety in flavor, aroma, and experience, turning everyday moments into small rituals.
From a bright start in the morning to a mellow close at night, here’s how you can enjoy Japanese tea throughout the day.
Morning – Sencha Fukamushi / Matcha
Goal: Begin the day with a fresh, flavorful cup.
Sencha Fukamushi
Deep-steamed sencha has a vibrant green color and a rich, full-bodied character. It brews quickly, making it an excellent choice for busy mornings. The crisp and refreshing taste pairs well with breakfast or a quiet moment before the day begins.
Try: Enrich Sencha Loose Leaf – Our signature deep-steamed sencha from Shizuoka, finished with a high roast for a rich aroma and lingering umami.
Matcha
Matcha is finely milled from shade-grown leaves, creating a smooth texture and bright color. Because you consume the whole leaf, it offers a concentrated tea experience. Its rich umami and natural sweetness make it a timeless choice for star
Try: Organic Ceremonial Matcha – Carefully selected, shade-grown leaves from Shizuoka and Kagoshima, stone-milled for a vibrant, balanced cup ideal for tea ceremony or moments of quiet focus.
Or: Organic Daily Matcha – Versatile matcha from Shizuoka designed for everyday use, perfect for lattes, smoothies, and a simple daily cup.
Late Morning – Gyokuro / Kabusecha
Goal: Pause for a thoughtful, unhurried cup.
Gyokuro
Known for its deep umami and elegant finish, gyokuro is a shaded tea brewed at lower temperatures to bring out its distinctive sweetness. Brewing at a low temperature results in a mellow cup that is naturally lower in caffeine than hotter infusions, making it a good choice for mid-morning.
Try: Sugimoto Reserve Shizuku Gyokuro – Our premium gyokuro from Yame, Fukuoka, grown and shaded using traditional methods for over 16 days, with a rich umami and smooth sweetness.
Kabusecha
Kabusecha is shaded for a shorter period than gyokuro, resulting in a gentle balance between sencha’s freshness and gyokuro’s depth. Its light green infusion and delicate flavor make it a pleasant companion for a mid-morning moment of focus.
Try: Organic Kabusecha – Lightly shaded organic green tea from Kagoshima with a refined balance of umami and freshness, offering a smooth, buttery mouthfeel.
Afternoon – Genmaicha / Kukicha
Goal: Enjoy a pleasant, balanced flavor in the later hours.
Genmaicha
A blend of green tea and roasted rice, genmaicha offers a toasty aroma and comforting taste. Its warm, nutty character makes it an inviting choice for a relaxed afternoon.
Try: Genmaicha – Classic blend of spring and early summer sencha with roasted rice from Shizuoka, offering rich green tea flavor and a strong, nutty aroma.
Kukicha
Made primarily from tea stems, kukicha has a light body and a subtly sweet, crisp finish. Its refreshing quality makes it ideal for a midday break, offering variety from leaf-based teas.
Try: Enrich Kukicha Loose Leaf – Stem tea from young leaves, offering a mildly sweet flavor and delicate floral aroma for a refreshing change of pace.
Evening – Hojicha / Dattan Sobacha
Goal: End the day with a cozy, relaxing cup.
Hojicha
Roasted at high temperatures, hojicha has a distinctive caramel-like aroma and mellow flavor. Its comforting warmth makes it a popular evening choice in Japan, especially during cooler months.
Try: Enrich Hojicha Loose Leaf – Made from higher-grade kukicha and roasted to bring out a rich, toasty aroma with natural sweetness.
Dattan Sobacha
Sobacha is made from roasted buckwheat kernels, which can be enjoyed hot or cold. With its toasty, nutty aroma, it offers a soothing close to the day. The kernels themselves can even be eaten after brewing, adding to its appeal.
Try: Dattan Sobacha – Roasted tartary buckwheat from Hokkaido with a fragrant graham cracker aroma and warm, nutty taste.
Creating Your Own Tea Rhythm
Selecting teas for different times of day can turn tea drinking into a gentle daily rhythm. By matching each moment with the right flavor and style, you can bring more variety and enjoyment to your tea experience—morning to night.
