Country of Origin: Japan
Leaf Appearance: deep green, needle-like shape
Ingredients: green tea
Steep time: 1 minute
Water Temperature: 175 degrees
Preparation Method: Kyusu
Liquor: bright greenish yellow
This sencha is unique because the leaves have been deep steamed. As +Aiya America Organic Matcha green tea‘s site explains, this decreases the aroma but also cuts the astringency and gives it a more full bodied flavor. The dry leaves had a fairly normal appearance but the liquor was a really bright greenish yellow. It had the sweet vegetal notes that I would expect from sencha but it was rounder and fuller without the typical sharpness. The finish still had a refreshing astringency. Although not fruity in taste, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a crisp green apple. I enjoyed this tea after a very long, stressful day at work and it was just what the doctor ordered. I only had enough time for one infusion but the leaves definitely could have gone another round or two. My kyusu hasn’t gotten some love in a while so I snapped a quick shot on Instagram while sipping this.
Deep Steamed Sencha sample provided by Aiya Tea.