Rie

A reliable Japanese green; seaweedy and sweet-savory, with just enough strength and barely-there bitterness to be stimulating.

It feels suitable to brew sencha generously, as in Japan, than in single-cup servings. When taken suddenly and in small quantities, the tea can be downright fishy with the saltwater notes, especially after recent cups of Chinese green. For me it’s much more rewarding to be fully immersed in the figurative ocean for a pot or three, even more so with good company.

Seaweed and subtle sweetness pervade each cup. The first brew is stronger, and bittersweet like fresh vegetables, while the second brew is noticeably milder, with a marine mineral quality that carries a hint of sugar. The feel is very clean, but there’s a distinct, dry aftertaste that lingers, demanding more sencha. This overall profile can be a bit addictive – isn’t this similar to how salted caramel popcorn works? In both cases, it’s hard to stop once I’ve started!

It doesn’t have much of the fresh, grassy or vegetal quality of other sencha, but it doesn’t pretend to do so either so I don’t mind the loss at all. I just have to take care of this tea as a green, sensitive to oversteeping and to temperature.

This sencha does well when I want a tea in the morning to challenge me into wakefulness, and to keep me going through the day as I settle into it. A specific, but much appreciated friend!
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Strong Version (Traditional)
1st: 1min 30s, 180F
2nd: 1min 30s, 180F
Seaweed, sweet-savory, moderate-strong flavor.
Distinct, complex flavor profile.