“April 2021 harvest. Rich, heady florals and thick sweetness with a balanced astringency once I dialed in on this leaf’s character. It can be very finnicky, bitter and unbalanced, especially so when...” Read full tasting note
peach, milky, floral
Umami☆☆☆☆ / Astringency★☆☆☆
Body★★☆☆ / Firing★☆☆☆
Benifûki is one of the most widely grown Japanese black tea cultivars. Nonetheless, the reason it spread in the 1990s, unlike other older black tea varieties, is because it is very high in methylated catechins, which are supposed to reduce hay fever. However, those molecules remain only if the leaves are made into green tea.
However, that is not why I am introducing this Benifûki sencha from Hon.yama: it is for its aromas.
Whereas we might have been expecting a tea with a lot of tannin, this is not the case. This sencha is very mellow and fluid, with only a little touch of astringency. It is this tea’s aromas, in both the nose and the mouth, that captivate the senses.
The fragrance is indeed rich and powerful, both floral and fruity, with aromas of fresh peaches.
Those scents then reappear in retronasal olfaction, with also a milky nuance.
The following infusions are just as fragrant, and tend a little towards sweet citrus. You have to wait until the third infusion for a more tannin liquor.
This Benifûki green tea is a true marvel, with its rich aromas and robust liquor.
Type of tea : Futsumushi sencha
Origin : Kozeto Area, Aoi Borough, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Cultivar : Benifûki
Harvest : April 28, 29th, 2021
Brewing suggestion
Quantity of leaves: 4g/1.3 tsp Quantity of water : 70ml / 1/4 cup Water temperature : 90°C / 194°F Brewing time : 50sCompany description not available.