Kagoshima Shincha Yutaka Midori 2009
Green tea, Tea reviews
My package of Kagoshima Shincha Yutaka Midori 2009 arrived last week, earlier than expected. This is the second time I’ve ordered tea from O-Cha, and on both occasions I have been impressed with how quickly my tea arrived.
This shincha leaps out at me. It is unmistakably fresh, with an aroma dominated by blackcurrant. The smell of the rich dark green leaves reminds me of a forest floor – perhaps there is a hint of pine here.
I brew the tea in my porcelain Japanese teapot at 78° C for a minute. Following O-Cha’s instructions, I use roughly a teaspoon in 250ml (8oz) of water. It quickly becomes apparent that shincha needs to be brewed carefully. When I leave it to steep for 1:30, the astringency bites. Later, I also try steeping the tea at a lower temperature, which gives it a milder character.
The powder of the leaves swirls around in the tea, giving the appearance of a green miso soup. When I first sip this, I wonder if this tea is designed to be consumed alongside sushi or fish – something suggests to me that shincha would be a perfect accompaniment to either dish. The flavour is of steamed vegetables. I drink it and feel nourished, revitalized.
This is my first taste of shincha, but it has left me with that happy feeling that comes from discovering – yet again – how deep and rich the world of tea is.
Kagoshima Shincha Yutaka Midori 2009 is available from O-Cha for $24.95 per 100 grams.
Additionally, these shinchas are also still available:
- Shincha – Shizuoka Sencha Hatsumi: $22.95 for 100 grams.
- Shincha – Uji Kirameki: $37.95 for 100 grams.
- Shincha Fukamushi Supreme: $22.95 for 100 grams.
- Kagoshima Sencha Sae Midori: $24.95 for 100 grams.
Bamboo Forest - PunIntended wrote on May 18th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I’ve bought sencha from many vendors. And there are indeed many good ones out there.
But for mid and deep steamed sencha, I know of no other vendor who offers sencha as excellent as o-cha. They really do source their teas carefully.