A high quality, very refined tea with many overtones. When I drink this tea I feel I am in communion with Mr Orita on his organic tea farm in Kagoshima looking out toward Satsuma Fuji mountain. The tea leaves are finely broken up, have a nice rich dark green color and grassy aroma. For me this tea is for special occasions (+-20 US dollars for 3.5 oz) so I save it for times when I can to stop and enjoy its special qualities.
1st Infusion: First pour is delicious with an exceptional vegetal aroma, green grassy flavor and roasted notes in the background. The flavor of leaves linger at the back of upper palate. Produces a rich deep green color tea and aroma.
2nd Infusion: 4 oz water at 180 for 1 1/2 minutes. Results spectacular; deep rich full green flavor palate with smokey green color tea. Sweat grassy aroma.
2nd Infusion (alt): Second pour is dependent on the 1st and how much water was used. In the past I’ve used 10 ounces of water at 170 for 1 1/2 minutes followed by 10 ounces at 180 for 2 minutes and the the 2nd brew results were not as spectacular. The flavor is reduced by 60% but the color was still deep green. I need to sit with this tea longer to more fully review the 2nd 3rd,4th infusions.
