'bancha' originates from Japanese, specifically the word '番茶' (bancha), where '番' meant 'turn' or 'order' and '茶' meant 'tea'.

'bancha' entered English as a loanword from Japanese 'bancha' in the late 19th to early 20th century, retaining its original form and sense related to a common or later-harvest tea.

Initially, it meant 'tea of a later harvest or tea made from stems and older leaves, often of lower grade,' and over time it has remained largely the same in English as 'a common/low-grade Japanese green tea.'