We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“Received a sample of this tea with my Thes du Japon order. This is a good sencha, albeit atypical for a fukamushi. It’s not super grassy like deep steamed sencha tends to be but instead leans...” Read full tasting note
[Grown without pesticide]
raspberry, milk, wafer
Umami★★★☆ / Astringency★☆☆☆
Body★★★☆ / Firing★★☆☆
Yamakai is a variety that we are special fans of at Thés du Japon. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more rare, and is almost nowhere to be found outside of Shizuoka. It is with immense pleasure that we are offering an unshaded Yamakai sencha grown at an altitude of 550 m (1800 ft) in the village of Yabe in Yame.
This relatively deep steamed sencha is very aromatic to begin with, creamy and fruity in the nose. Next, in the mouth, we find the scents of red berries that are specific to Yamakai. The liquor is intense, sweet and has balanced umami and very little astringency.
The second infusion is sharper, and the roasting aromas come out more clearly, with a little more astringency but still the surprising creamy aroma.
Yamakai’s characteristics are very present, but this tea leaves an impression that is very different from those of Shizuoka teas, which is a reflection of a completely different soil and geography.
This is a sencha with body and a long, intense aftertaste.
Brewing suggestion
Quantity of leaves: 4g / 1.2 tsp Quantity of water : 70ml / 1/4 cup Water temperature : 70°C / 158°C Brewing time : 50sType of tea : Fukamushi sencha
Origin : Yabe village, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Cultivar : Yamakai
Harvest : may 10th 2019
Sencha from Asamiya, Yamakai cultivar
Thés du JaponSencha from Hon.yama, Tamakawa, Yamakai cultivar
Thés du JaponSencha from Yame
Thés du JaponSencha from Oku-Yame
Thés du JaponSencha from Sayama, Yumewakaba cultivar
Thés du JaponSencha from Fuji, Shizuoka, Koshun cultivar
Thés du JaponReceived a sample of this tea with my Thes du Japon order. This is a good sencha, albeit atypical for a fukamushi. It’s not super grassy like deep steamed sencha tends to be but instead leans more towards gyokuro with its pale yellowish-green liquor and savory, umami flavor.
Dry leaf smells of raspberries and a freshly mowed lawn. Wet leaf smells of spinach. The first infusion is gyokuro-like with a rich umami flavor and light, earthy grassiness. Faint hints of blackberries and pine nuts as it cools. A deeper green flavor and color emerge in the second steep. More grass, umami, and steamed spinach notes with white pepper in the finish. The tea begins mellowing by the third steep yet still has a bright green flavor and a bit of sweetness.
Flavors: Berries, Grass, Nuts, Pepper, Spinach, Umami
