Have you heard of the word “Banshu”? Actually, even among tea lovers in Japan, this term is not that well-known.
“Ban” is for Bancha, which is mainly produced from summer or autumn leaves. “Shu” means, in this case, aroma. So, “banshu” is the aroma of Bancha.
How do you describe this aroma, then? One of the experts said that it is like “the scent of futon aired out under the sun”. Sounds interesting, but I can feel it.
Bancha is considered to be lower quality, not a special and connoisseur tea. If you look at it from a different angle, it’s an everyday tea, giving us the feeling of warm and secure. I can say it is like a "comfort tea".
The mornings and evenings is getting cooler these days. It is a good season to drink Bancha with warm and nice “banshu”.
