How to Brew Sencha: Temperature and Time by Source
Seven rows from four sources cover sencha, and they split on one question: do you brew it cool and long, or hot and short? The producer pages we read give 80°C for 60 seconds, 70 to 80°C depending on grade, or boiling water for 30 seconds.
By Cha2go Editorial Team. Sources checked October 20, 2026.
Open the timer for SenchaGrade changes the temperature
Two sources separate premium from regular sencha. The Kagoshima guide gives 70°C (158°F) for premium sencha, 6 g for 3 cups, and 80°C (176°F) for regular sencha, 10 g for 5 cups at 1 minute. Its premium time is 1 minute 30 seconds in the table and 60 seconds in the step list.
Yamamotoyama gives 160°F (70°C) for higher grades, steeped 1 minute or more, and 175°F (80°C) for regular or deep steamed sencha at 30 seconds, with a tablespoon (3 g) per 8 oz.
Hot water works for a shorter time
Ippodo's basic sencha recipe is 10 g of leaf (2 tablespoons) and 210 ml of 80°C water for 60 seconds. Its "piping hot" recipe uses the same 10 g and 210 ml with boiling water and serves after 30 seconds. For iced sencha, Ippodo pours 210 ml of boiling water over 10 g, leaves it 1 minute, and pours over plenty of ice.
The second infusion is short
The Kagoshima guide lists a second brew of 10 seconds for both grades. None of the pages we read gives a gongfu-style ladder for sencha, so the timer offers sencha in western style only.
Every source
| Preparation | Temperature | Time | Leaf | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sencha, western | 80°C (176°F) | 60 s | 10 g (2 tablespoons) in 210 ml | Ippodo Tea (Kyoto producer) |
| Sencha, westernpiping hot | boiling (100°C) | 30 s | 10 g (2 tablespoons) in 210 ml | Ippodo Tea (Kyoto producer) |
| Sencha, westernregular sencha | 80°C (176°F) | #1: 60 s, #2: 10 s | 10 g for 5 cups (about 4/5 of each teacup filled) | kagoshima-cha.or.jp (Kagoshima tea guide) |
| Sencha, westernpremium sencha | 70°C (158°F) | #1: 60 s to 1 min 30 s, #2: 10 s | 6 g for 3 cups | kagoshima-cha.or.jp (Kagoshima tea guide) |
| Sencha, westernregular or deep steamed | 175°F (79°C) | 30 s | 1 tablespoon (3 g) per 8 oz | Yamamotoyama (producer) |
| Sencha, westernhigher grades | 160°F (71°C) | 60 s | 1 tablespoon (3 g) per 8 oz | Yamamotoyama (producer) |
| Sencha, westernJapanese green | 165 to 175°F (74 to 79°C) | 60 s to 2 min | 1 to 2 level teaspoons (2.5 to 3 g) | MEM Tea Imports |
Questions
What temperature is best for sencha?
The sources give 70°C for premium grades, 80°C (176°F) for regular sencha, and boiling water for a 30 second brew. Ippodo, a Kyoto producer, uses 80°C for 60 seconds.
How long is the second infusion?
The Kagoshima guide gives 10 seconds for the second brew of both premium and regular sencha.
How much sencha per cup?
Ippodo uses 10 g in 210 ml, about 4.8 g per 100 ml. Yamamotoyama uses a tablespoon (3 g) per 8 oz, about 1.3 g per 100 ml. The sources do not agree on the ratio.