Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Urban Tea
Product Information:
Japanese Sencha is a classic Japanese green tea enjoyed daily. Grown in meticulously managed tea gardens, these flat, deep green leaves yield a light green-gold liquor with a slight sweet vegetal flavor. These leaves will satisfy for multiple infusions.
Taster’s Review:
I was very saddened to learn that Urban Tea was closing their doors. I have greatly enjoyed the teas that I’ve tried from them, and this Japanese Sencha is no exception. This is a great Sencha!
The flavor is rich and sweet, with a nice vegetative taste that reminds me a bit of steamed spinach that’s been lightly buttered. I’ve tried this twice, the first time, I used a little extra leaf, and I found that the leaves REALLY expand – a little goes a long way!
But, not wishing to waste the tea, I tasted it, and it was quite lovely when brewed strong. It had a very brothy kind of taste. Sweet with a taste that reminds me of steamed spinach that’s been lightly buttered. It was quite satisfying!
The second time I steeped it, I used considerably less leaf and this – obviously – produced a much lighter infusion. This cup was less broth-like, and had a lighter taste and texture. I noticed that the stronger brew had a little bit of bitter taste toward the tail – not a “hey I scorched the green tea with water that was too hot” kind of bitter or a “I forgot to set the timer and oversteeped the tea” kind of bitter, but a pleasant bitterness that is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the tea. With the second, lighter brew, the bitterness was less pronounced.
These leaves also produce multiple infusions – each quite delightful! As I sit here enjoying this tea, I can’t help but be a little sad about the closure of such a fine company. I recommend stopping by Urban Tea today and picking up some of this – if it’s still available! You won’t regret it!
