Gokubo Fukamushi Kukicha (First Flush), Japanese Green Tea

I was really impressed by this tea!
The smell that came from the bag and then from the pot was delectable.
The flavor was a filling umami and very sweet as well. Very different kind of sweetness than a typical sencha (which to me can sometimes be sugary sweet, combining a slight bitterness with sweetness), more like a fruity sweetness without the fruit flavor.
Anyway, I was very impressed and all 3 steepings were yummy.

Now if only I can get some more local vendors to carry something like this! I doubt I will often order from Rishi because of distance and shipping when there are so many good nearby options, but this is a tea I think I’d enjoy having on hand more often. However, at $8.50 for just about 2oz, this is a very good deal.

I don’t speak Japanese, but I think “Gokubo” means “5 flavors” … I’m not sure I tasted all 5 of them, but nonetheless, this was excellent. I definitely recommend!

I said, " I need to make tea." Then magically my colleague fills my cup with Gokubo! My favorite kukicha, ever!

I can not drink any other kukicha after drinking this one. There is a wonderful citrus note and no astringency. It is rich and sweet and pretty complex. The infusion color is a beautiful rich green color.

When I lived in Northern China, there was a green tea from Lao Shan (Mt.) that I just loved.I was sad to come back to the States knowing I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on Lao Shan anytime soon. But then, my local tea shop had Rishi’s kukicha, and I was so excited!

This tea is rich and beany, while still being sweet. It’s not murkily sea-weedy, nor is it astringent. True, it does not have the depth or complexity I found in my favorite Chinese green tea, but it certainly filled that gap in my cupboard!

Now I’ve found Lao Shan elsewhere (Verdant Tea, for one) I do not know if I will be re-stocking this anytime soon. It is pricier for something that’s not as complex, but if I ever see this at a tea shop? I will definitely get this as my default green tea.
Great hot, also delicious iced. Nice in a big pot or in a gaiwan or just floating in a glass.

Nice, idiot proof green, that offers so much more bean and butter and yumminess than other greens widely available.