Spring pick - Sayama Premium Tenpi (Sun-dried) Sayama sencha 50g

Premium sun-dried spring pick from Sayama Region

• Origin: Iruma Region, Saitama Prefecture (Sayama)
• Harvest: First pick of spring (end of April)
• Cultivation Method: Shaded by kanreisha cloth
• Cultivar: Sayama Kaori
• Processing: light steam style with a green yellow color
• Characteristics: floral aroma, natural sweetness, medium umami 
• Contents: 50g (approximately 15-17 servings)

This tea will be using the youngest (first-picked) buds of cultivar 'Sayama Kori'. After harvesting, they are sun-dried, which is called tenpi in Japanese, for about 6 hours to enhance wilting. This process adds the aroma, flavor, and various added values of the variety, resulting in a tea with strong individuality.

The traditional sun-dried method is called icho in Japanese. Icho is a tea-making process where harvested tea leaves are deliberately wilted, reducing moisture and activating oxidation enzymes to bring out a unique aroma.

After processing in spring, we let it age until autumn/winter and let the taste become more mellow and soft. 

When extracted at low temperatures, it offers a sweet taste, while high-temperature extraction brings out the aroma. Various brewing methods can be enjoyed, and the flavor changes between the first and second brew.

Made by the renowned top skilled tea master Nakajima-san of Onishi-en

Cultivated on the historic Oonishi-en estate, which boasts a legacy spanning 250 years, this sencha is hand roasted by a tea master adorned with the title of "Eisei-chasei (Eternal Tea Saint)." Having claimed the top position in the National Hand-Rolled Tea Appraisal Contest an impressive eight times, this tea master is widely recognized as Japan's foremost expert in the art of tea. 

Under the leadership of the skilled artisan Nakajima-san, Oonishi-en continues to uphold traditional techniques, producing the esteemed "deep-steamed tea" that Sayama tea is celebrated for. Immerse yourself in the epitome of quality with tea crafted by Japan's finest tea master.

Taste profile:

Natural sweetness : ★★★★★

Savory / Umami :　★★★★☆

Bitterness :　★☆☆☆☆

Flavor note: 　Floral unique aroma / Mellow natural Sweetness / 

Brewing:   

• To enjoy the umami and sweetness
  • water temperature: 70C (158F)
  • Steeping time: 1 minute 15 seconds
• To enjoy the aroma
  • water temperature: 90C (194F)
  • Steeping time: 30 seconds

Amount of tea leaf:  3-4g per 100-120ml