198 Tasting Notes

88

Another free sample from first order from Yunomi this year.

Flavors: Seaweed, Sweet, Umami

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96

A free sample with my first Yunomi order of 2024. They sent me this 2023 version in the same order as the 2024 version. This one is definitely not as fresh tasting and noticeably less flavorful than the 2024, but not too bad!

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88

The first of the free samples that Yunomi sent with my order, though this was some leftover 2023 tea. Still tasted good, but I can’t help but think it was significantly better fresh.

I’m a sucker for asamushi. This one is very nice. Nothing wrong with it, but also nothing that stands out. Just a solid pick. Mouthfeel is mildly thick. No bitterness or astringency. Mild sweetness with strong umami.

Harvest: May 2023
Location: Ashikubo, Shizuoka

Flavors: Umami, sweetness, vegetal

Flavors: Sweet, Umami, Vegetal

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87

The last of the samples I chose from Yunomi’s extensive catalogue. Not as good as #8, but still a respectable sencha.

Also very little bitterness or astringency, but overall weaker flavor than #8.

Harvest: May 2024
Cultivars: Yabukita-based blend (other cultivars include Saemidori, Okumidori, Okuyutaka)
Location: Upper mountains of Yabe village, Yame District, Fukuoka, Japan
Altitude: 600 m

Flavors: Sweet, umami, vegetal

Flavors: Sweet, Umami, Vegetal

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92

Another wonderful sencha from Chiyonoen. Their teas along with Kurihara seem to be winners from Yunomi’s catalogue.

No bitterness or astringency. Pure umami sweetness and smoothness.

Harvest: May 1, 2024 (88th day of spring)
Cultivar: Blend of saemidori, yabukita, okumidori, okuyutaka
Location: Upper mountains of Yabe village, Yame District, Fukuoka, Japan
Altitude: 600 m

Flavors: Umami, sweetness, vegetal

Flavors: Sweet, Umami, Vegetal

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86

Very nice and easy drinking tea. Not terribly complex, but at this price, I wasn’t expecting that.

Very mild bitterness on steep 2 only. No astringency. Mild sweetness. Lasts 12 infusions.

Price is $0.12/g.

Location: Fa Tang Village, Lincang

Flavors: Apricot, fruity, sweet, bitter.

Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Fruity, Sweet

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92

SUPER approachable and easygoing puerh. This would be a great introduction sheng for teaheads wanting to try some puerh. Very clean flavor profile with some distinct notes, which can be difficult for puerh sometimes.

Minimal to no bitterness. No astringency. Mild sweetness. Mouthfeel is fairly full and oily. Lasts 10+ infusions. Awesome value at $0.24/g for a cake.

Location: Pa Pai Village, Cang Yuan, Lincang

Dry leaf: Apricot
Wet leaf: Apricot, hay
Flavors: Apricot, fruity, sweet, bitter, cream, oily

Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Cream, Hay, Oily, Sweet

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78

Another one from Yunomi. This is probably my least favorite of this batch of samples, though it isn’t bad per say. At $0.56/g, it is also the most expensive of the lot. I have to agree with the only reviewer of this tea on Yunomi’s site that the tea is a bit roasty in flavor, which is very offputting for a fresh green tea. The rest of the flavors are also pretty muted.

No bitterness or astringency and no to minimal sweetness. I guess it’s just not what I’m looking for in a sencha really.

Probably asamushi. Says it was shaded for 10 days.

Harvest: March 18, 2024
Cultivar: Shoju
Location: Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima

Dry leaf: Vegetal, umami
Wet leaf: Same
Flavors: Vegetal, umami, roasty

Flavors: Roasty, Umami, Vegetal

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94

Very nice and very expensive (> $1/g) tea from FL. Super subdued for the first 2-3 infusions, then becomes very sweet. Infusions 2 and 3 have some mild bitterness, but it dissipates. Very fruity and overall a delicious tea :).

Super clean and the leaves are HUGE and all intact. Definitely another winner from FL.

Harvest: Spring, 2024
Location: Ba Ka Noy, Menghai

Dry leaf: Apricot, fruity
Wet leaf: Same
Flavors: Apricot, fruity, grapes, sweet, bitter

Flavors: Apricot, Bitter, Bittersweet, Fruity, Grapes

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90

Pretty good but not amazing. Not as much punch as some of the other gyokuros I’ve had.

Got 4 good steeps. Definitely umami with minimal to no sweetness. No astringency or bitterness. Decent power, but not as energizing as I had hoped.

Harvest: May 2024
Location: Yabemura Village, Yame, Fukuoka

Flavors: Salty, broth, umami, seaweed, spinach, vegetal.

Flavors: Broth, Salt, Seaweed, Spinach, Umami, Vegetal

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