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“This came as a free (unexpected) sample, in my first order from Thes du Japon. (Actually, they included 3x this tea, and 4 others!). I love free samples. But, I guess, who doesn’t? Not...” Read full tasting note
Type of tea: Futsu-mushi sencha (normal steamed sencha)
Origin: Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Cultivar: Yabukita
Harvest: First spring harvest
Yame, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the southern island of Kyushu, is one of the most famous tea-producing areas in Japan. Its gyokuro tea is legendary, and its sencha is renowned.
While it is a green tea that has been steamed for the normal length of time, this sencha has great character. Because it has been fired a little longer than usual, its liquor releases a mild, sweet aroma, and its taste is strong, but nonetheless very delicate, non-astringent and long in the mouth. This sencha is typical of Yame senchas, with a strong, deep flavour but no heaviness and easy on the palate, even for neophytes.
Steeping method
Quantity of leaves*: 3 g / 1 tsp per person
Quantity of water: 70-80 ml / 1/4-1/3 cup per person
Water temperature: 70°C / 158°F
Steeping time: 50-60 seconds
*If you are making tea for just one person, increase the quantity of leaves slightly.
This came as a free (unexpected) sample, in my first order from Thes du Japon.
(Actually, they included 3x this tea, and 4 others!). I love free samples. But, I guess, who doesn’t?
Not surprisingly, this tea reminds me very much of ‘Fukamushi Sencha Yame’ from Den’s Tea. It has that familiar, slightly-roasted aroma and flavor, that I love so much. This tea is apparently light-steamed, though the leaves are more broken up than what I’ve come to expect from a typical asamushi (ie from Uji or Honyama, etc.). Anyway, perhaps it’s on the ‘deeper’ end of light-steamed teas.
The aroma continues to be strong, and very enjoyable through three steepings. As their description states, I think anyone new to green teas, who likes a strong flavor, would enjoy this. It doesn’t have any of the typical bitterness that can turn people off of green tea.
For a first impression, this is definitely a good one. So far, I like teas from Yame, the extra ‘hi ire’ that seems to be typical of their Sencha (I think that’s the word for the roasting) is unique, and I just happen to really enjoy it.
Just got a bag of 2011 Fukamushi Sencha Yame from Den’s, and I have to agree — there’s something special about teas from Yame! Sounds like this one didn’t let you down :)
I have been thinking of ordering from Thes du Japon. What do you think of their service, shipping, etc, Shinobi_cha?
Thanks.
Best wishes,
shrubtse
They have great service. Florent, one of the owners, is also active on Teachat, and was quick and helpful in answering my questions (via email and TC). Also, they sent 3 free tea samples (multiple packs of each; when all I requested was just one!)
They just added a new shipping option too, which is much cheaper (only $6, instead of $20). Now I’m very likely to order from them again. I haven’t broken out anything from my order yet (except this sample), but will be doing so soon.
Cole – yep, so far everything I’ve had from Yame has been great. That tea from Den’s is one of my favorites. I’d like to try gyokuro from Yame sometime, too, because they’re apparently famous for it.
Thanks for the response, Shinobi-cha.
Best wishes,
sherubtse
P.S. I hear that O-Cha has a great Yame gyo.
Cool! Good to know. I like them, so I will keep that in mind.