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“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...” Read full tasting note
Shoju is a rare cultivar grown by Tanegashima Island tea farmer Iba Takahiro, shaded for about 10 days, and harvested in the third week of March making it one of the earliest teas harvested in Japan. As such, Iba-san is interviewed by TV crews every year!
We have a few units of 2023 harvest left for you to compare!
2024’s harvest was the second earliest in history on March 18 (2010 was the earliest at March 16). Iba-san says he determines the harvest by determine the start of shading after the second leaf bud appears, and decided to harvest around the 4th leaf bud appearance then harvesting a bud and 3-4 young, tender leaves. He pays careful attention to the leaf growth at this time of the year to determine the perfect timing.
Total crop yield this year was only 25kg, and already sold out at the farm, so our stock is limited to what we have!
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Iba Yu Tea GardenAnother 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
