Sencha Fuka-midori

From the sampler Den’s offers to new customers.
This was super yummy. We used the whole thing on 500 ml of water (per package directions – it’s the one thing about a Breville I wish I could change because Japanese teas just aren’t meant to be made all at once at that kind of volume) and got two steeps out of it.
Now, I love green teas. I think they are just amazing, simple teas that pair well with just about any food. This one was no exception- the leaves smelled so vegetal and fresh, and the tea itself was very smooth and…well, green. I honestly could drink this for dinner every night. So, apparently, could my boyfriend, who seriously gushed over the first infusion.
I steeped the second infusion for longer (1:30) than the first one, which went against the parameters (and I just realized that now, so…too late!). This infusion was bitter in a not-so-nice way, but that was my fault and not the fault of the tea. I still liked it very much, despite the human error.
So this one’s definitely on my shopping list. I wonder how the next three samples are going to be in comparison..

Oh my god. I opened the package and a grassy and seaweedy smell assaulted me immediately. This is one of the better senchas I’ve had. It’s green, grassy and full-bodied. This is the sencha I have been searching for. I can only imagine what the “premium” senchas would taste like. This is seaweedy, Japanese green tea heaven for me. The tea is buttery, seaweedy and delicious. Do yourself a favor and take a sip of this.

I’ve never logged this tea! It was one of the very first green teas that I ever had.
I recently bought some, because I had only had a sample of it very early on. I’ve had a cold recently, so that may have affected my opinion some . . .
However, this is a great, everyday tea. I kept thinking I wished it was slightly more roasted tasting, than umami or sweet tasting (it is none of those in a strong degree, but leans slightly more toward umami or sweet).

But anyway, it is well balanced and though not my favorite from Den’s Tea, I’d enjoy a cup of it anytime.

Wow, this one was my favorite so far. Pre-steeping, I noticed that the leaves were darker and more delicate than the macho Mecha. My first cup was delicious and the first one I’d tried where I could really appreciate the “sweetness”. My second steeping was not quite as good as the first, but still good.

I’ll definitely be ordering more of this one. It has me excited to try Den’s Gyokuro next, which I’ve been holding in reserve.

This is from the Den’s sampler. I ordered one for myself and sent one to my father. I already have some Den’s green teas, so I gave most of my samples to him and this is one of the ones I kept. I thought it would be a good choice to help me unwind and get to bed albeit at an already ungodly hour.

The leaves really are cool-looking, kind of like dark freshly-cut grass. I used the steeping parameters suggested in the booklet, and I definitely agree with them. I don’t like the scent of this once brewed, but it really is lovely upon the first sip. It’s smooth and light and kind of buttery. I wouldn’t have described it as tasting like roasted vegetables on my own, but after reading that I think it’s quite accurate.

I’m liking it more the further I go. It’s nice to have something so mild and soothing.

OK, now this (a sencha) I have experience with and I can tell you I have a new favorite Sencha. I don’t have a 180F setting on my Zojirushi and so I had to catch it at 180 as it was cooling off. The resteep will be at 175 too, but Den’s recommends boiled? I have never had Sencha right off the boil and am interested if anyone has tried this and what they think.

Anyways – on to the tea. Much less bitter than any other sencha I have tasted, just a very slight taste of it at the end of your sip to offset the sweet zucchini-like taste. The second steep had all the color and particulate matter of the first but the flavor fell off quite a bit, maybe because I didn’t prepare it like Den’s told me to – off the boil for 15 seconds. Drinkable and still better than any other brand I have had in the past.

I got this from Den’s sampler pack when I went to buy some green tea for my mom. I only chose Den’s because it happens to be a few blocks away from my house, so I can just go pick up my orders instead of waiting for shipping. I was really happy to find out that the tea is quite good!

I brewed this with only 3 oz of water, like Den suggests. Such a small cup of tea, but I like the strong taste. It’s just the right amount of bitter, with a bit of that sweet vegetal taste that green tea has. I find it very refreshing. A yummy way to start the day.

The leaves are a deep dark green. It brews into a pale green liquid with floating sencha dust that smells delightfully nutty and has a light sweet taste.

I feel slightly bad reviewing this tea, as I have never had a sencha before and am new to tea.

But I found this tea to be actually disgusting. I had a tea the other day that was seaweed esq, but more along the dried nori and sushi vibe that was tasty. This one tasted like I had pulled raw seaweed out of the water and started nomming down.

It was strange though, because it was ALMOST pleasant to drink, but I couldn’t get past a sort of slimy bitter feeling to the tea. I actually had to pour it out and find something else to drink. So disappointing. I guess I don’t like this kind of green tea. :(

I’d say this tea ranks better than other senchas in its price range or even more expensive. I have tried many other senchas, some more expensive than this one, and none are this good. I have, mostly, been a Chinese tea drinker who, somewhat recently, started experimenting with Japanese greens, and after trying this one I have to say I am leaning more towards the Japanese greens.

As soon as I opened the pouch I was greeted by shiny, bright green leaves and a very noticeable floral smell. I’ve been brewing this tea as suggested by Den’s and both infusions are outstanding, no loss of flavor. The tea tastes very well, a full body cup with just the right amount of bitterness. There are very noticeable hints of pine, and the scent is fresh with that characteristic pungent “seaweedy” scent I’ve come to expect from sencha.

I’ve been referred to Den’s tea several times for the best Japanese green available in the U.S. and I was being stubborn. Now that I tried their most basic sencha and was blown away by its quality I have to say I’m converted. Definitely worth each penny and I may be buying it by the pound soon, but first I want to experiment with the other sencha teas from Den and finish up a lot of teas in my cupboard because I have no room.