Sencha Green Tea is the most popular tea variety in Japan and boasts extensive benefits enjoyed by tea lovers the world over. Unlike black tea, whose leaves undergo fermentation, or oolong tea, which is partially fermented, Sencha Green Tea is crafted with minimal processing and zero fermentation. This lack of processing allows Sencha Green Tea to maintain high levels of catechins, the component of tea that significantly contributes to its health benefits. Sencha is made by infusing the tea leaves in the hot water. The flavor is dependent on several factors, including where the leaves were grown, in which season the leaves were harvested, and how hot the water is when preparing. Additionally, the new tea, or "shincha", from the first flush of the year, is reputed to be the tastiest.