Gyokuroesque

A high-grown kabusecha, half-way between a gyokuro and a sencha, grown at 600m above sea level without artificial fertilisers or pesticides by the Ishikawa family on their small farm in Aichi. It is shaded before harvesting for ten days, rather than the traditional twenty days for a gyokuro, increasing the amino acids and sugars in the plant which would otherwise be converted by photosynthesis. This means that when made at low temperatures much more sweetness and umami is brought out than in a regular sencha.

This is an outstanding kabusecha with a viscous, almost oily texture which coats the mouth. The taste is vegetal and intense with a huge amount of umami and a tropical fruit sweetness. Although this tea is shaded for less time, we would rate it higher than many gyokuros we’ve had at the same price, along with kabusechas that have unbalanced umami due to overuse of artificial fertilisers.

This is a special treat for any lover of Japanese green tea and we would recommend making it carefully with water cooled to around 60°C and 5g of leaf per 100ml.

ORIGIN
Ishikawa Family, Aichi, Japan

SIZE OF FARM
15 acres

PLANTS AND PROCESSING
Camellia Sinensis Sinensis. Yabukita and Komakage cultivars. 10 days shading before harvesting. Medium steaming (~30 sec). Harvested Spring 2024.

BREWING
60°C, 5g per 100ml. 4 infusions.

PLEASE NOTE
Caddy and 100g Refill options are only available online or via ‘Collect from Postcard Teas’ for shop collection, two working days after purchase.