Sencha from Asamiya, Yamakai cultivar

Tea type
Green Tea
Ingredients
Not available
Flavors
Berry, Bitter, Blueberry, Bright, Cream, Fish Broth, Fruity, Hay, Jam, Mint, Pastries, Raspberry, Spinach, Sugar, Sweet, Vegetal
Sold in
Loose Leaf
Caffeine
Not available
Certification
Not available
Edit tea info Last updated by derk
Average preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 1 min, 0 sec 4 g 2 oz / 70 ml

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  • “A free sample included with my order. I believe the sample is 2023 shincha. Edited to add that I think this tea is better steeped in a basket. I went heavier than usual 4g:300mL to finish off...” Read full tasting note

From Thés du Japon

Raspberry, melon
Umami★★☆☆ / Astringency★☆☆☆
Body★★☆☆ / Firing★★☆☆

The Yamakai cultivar was selected from a Yabukita seed and originally designated Shizu-7166 in 1949. It was commercialized in 1967 and renamed Yamakai. This tea tree variety has very distinct fragrances but, unfortunately, it is quite rare today. It was long used as a shaded tea, but when it is grown in full sun, it produces a sencha that truly makes the most of its delicious fruity fragrances. It is one of our favourite teas here at Thés du Japon.
This example comes from Asamiya. More accurately, it comes from the only remaining Yamakai variety tea garden in that production region. While the producer usually shades it, he agreed to keep some of it unshaded for us!

This sencha has the berry fragrances reminiscent of raspberry jam typical of this cultivar. On the palate, this tea is refreshing at first and relatively light. Then sweet aromas, reminiscent of raspberry jam and berry candies, come through clearly in retro-olfaction and the after-taste.
This sweet after-taste is very persistent but not at all heavy. It is light, elegant and especially very mouth-watering.
With its present but moderate umami, as well as a touch of astringency, this is a very balanced, fluid sencha, with a mineral sensation.
This rare sencha from Asamiya has superb sensations in the throat and lasting fruity aromas, which are clear Yamakai characteristics. Since it is a medium roast, it is slightly different from this part of the Kansai region’s very green teas, but it is also very different from the unshaded Yamakais that can still be found in Shizuoka.

Type of tea : Futsumushi sencha
Origin : Hirao, Kami-Asamiya, Shigaraki town, Kôga city, Shiga prefecture
Cultivar : Yamakai
Harvest : May 13th, 2023

Brewing suggestion

Quantity of leaves: 4g / 1.3 tsp Quantity of water : 70ml / 1/3 cup Water temperature : 70°C / 158°F Brewing time : 60s

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1 Tasting Note

1597 tasting notes

A free sample included with my order. I believe the sample is 2023 shincha.

Edited to add that I think this tea is better steeped in a basket. I went heavier than usual 4g:300mL to finish off the sample, 160F for 1min. Practically no bitterness and the aroma is like a berries and cream candy with such a soft spinach vegetal component.

Aroma of pie crust with blueberry and raspberry jam, some boiled spinach as well. It is a soft and sweet scent. Body is medium with a little fish broth umami underpinning a bright and bitter haylike taste. The berry notes of the leaf and aroma release lightly on the swallow. Very dewy sweet aftertaste comes from the back of the mouth. A few small burps taste like the aroma. This is a nice tea and moves easily but the bitterness is off balance for my taste (perhaps this can be mitigated) and there is a catch in my throat. Good for 3 steeps in a small pot.

Yamakai cultivar is certainly unique and worth a try. This one is a great introduction at only ~$0.08/g, however, shipping fees must be taken into account.

Thank you, Thés du Japon!

Flavors: Berry, Bitter, Blueberry, Bright, Cream, Fish Broth, Fruity, Hay, Jam, Mint, Pastries, Raspberry, Spinach, Sugar, Sweet, Vegetal

Preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 1 min, 0 sec 4 g 2 OZ / 70 ML

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