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types of tea

Tea leaves come in many different forms, depending on where they are grown, the month when the leaves are picked, and the way they are processed. Green tea is the most popular tea in Japan, and is the tea used in the traditional tea ceremony. However, other varieties of tea are also popular. Since there are many kinds of teas, each with a very different flavor, it is important to understand the different types of teas and how each should be prepared to get the best flavor.

Dan cha

Dan cha is considered the oldest type of green tea. In Japanese, dan means "brick" and cha means "tea."

To make dan cha, the tea leaves are steamed and then placed in a mortar and pounded with a pestle to release the juices that help hold the pieces together. The clump is then molded into a square or round disk and dried. This dried-brick form of tea is much easier to transport than loose green tea leaves. Originally, dan cha was the main way that people drank tea, unless they grew the tea bushes themselves.