This Kabuse Sencha was the best tea from my Floating Leaves order. Kind of ironic that a tea shop specializing in Taiwanese oolong sells a low profile green tea that outshines some of their more high end teas. I picked this one up not only to meet the free shipping threshold but also because I enjoyed the Obubu Tea Farms sample of Kabuse Sencha that Cameron gave me recently. I have no idea whether this is sourced from the same tea farm as Obubu but both are sublime teas.
The leaves are dark green and shaped like pine needles. Not quite as pristine as Obubu’s but still handsome. At least by sencha standards anyway. The leaves emit a deep, sweet grassy aroma that changes to a marine like dashi scent upon being heated. Clear, yellowish green liquor. Wet leaves have a slightly marine aroma as well but it’s more oceanic, like fresh caught steamed whitefish.
First infusion is fresh, crisp, and invigorating. Bright, balanced umami with notes of sea shells and snap pea. Second infusion is similar. Smoother and more buttery with light grass and seaweed notes. Flavor drops a bit over the next two steeps. More savory this time with a slight marine finish and a bit more astringency.
Instagram photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMari68APv9/
Flavors: Butter, Grass, Lettuce, Marine, Ocean Air, Seaweed, Spinach, Umami
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Looks like this tea is from Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, while Obubu is in Wazuka, Kyoto!
Ah, that’s good to know. Thought this style was specific to a certain tea growing region.
I’m not sure if it’s regional, it’s just a shaded sencha that’s not quite shaded enough to be gyokuro.
Looks like this tea is from Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, while Obubu is in Wazuka, Kyoto!
Ah, that’s good to know. Thought this style was specific to a certain tea growing region.
I’m not sure if it’s regional, it’s just a shaded sencha that’s not quite shaded enough to be gyokuro.