Uji Kabuse

Man, I just love Japanese green tea. It can transport me to many different places in my mind. Through the sense of sight, its rich, deep green colored leaves evoke images of sprawling green forests untouched by the modern world and brimming with exotic wildlife and rich cultural history. Through the sense of smell, it brings me to Japanese oceanic shorelines. And through the sense of taste, I get flashbacks to buttered vegetables and Japanese sushi bars. Rich, deep and divine…you’ve just gotta love a good Japanese green.

I bought this and four other Japanese greens from Ito En recently and this is the one I keep reaching for because it’s just so much better than the rest, it’s not even fair. Light and fresh with a subtle creaminess, bright citrus notes and a little bit of sweetness. This is a vibrant, juicy tea that induces feelings of calmness and joy. That’s just what I need right now too, because I’m currently in the midst of withdrawal from a severe nicotine dependence that I finally decided it was time to end. I’m trying to implement a lot of positive changes in my life right now, and my beloved camellia sinensis will help me every step of the way.

Brew this one right and you’re in for a treat. It’s got that bright, vibrant flavor you’d expect from a good sencha. Nice and smooth and the brewed leaves have a full, almost “cooked” aroma.

I missed the alert for the first steep, so it went a minute or so too long, which is a sin with Japanese greens, it seems.

Subsequent steepings were better.