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“I was really impressed by this tea! The smell that came from the bag and then from the pot was delectable. The flavor was a filling umami and very sweet as well. Very different kind of sweetness...” Read full tasting note
“I said, " I need to make tea." Then magically my colleague fills my cup with Gokubo! My favorite kukicha, ever! I can not drink any other kukicha after drinking this one. There is a wonderful...” Read full tasting note
“When I lived in Northern China, there was a green tea from Lao Shan (Mt.) that I just loved.I was sad to come back to the States knowing I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on Lao Shan anytime soon....” Read full tasting note
This is a fukamushi (deep steamed) kukicha from the Makinohara district of Shizuoka, Japan. The tea gardens of Makinohara are famous for producing some of the best kukicha and this batch is quite nice. Kukicha is noted for its smooth mouth feel and refreshing character. The natural sweetness of kukicha comes from the stems and in this case the 1st flush tender stems that have a high content of tea polysaccharides. Our Gokubo has a smooth and refreshing flavor with a nice balance of umami, sweet and deep green flavors. It is less sharp than most sencha and can be brewed with a bit hotter water. This grade of Kukicha is also good for 24 hour and 36 hour cold brew.
Water: 165°F / Leaves: 2 Tablespoons per 8 ounces / First infusion: 1 minute 30 seconds / Second Infusion: Fill teapot two thirds of the way with 165°F water and decant immediately / Ingredients: Green tea. / Origin: Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Rishi Tea specializes in sourcing the most rarefied teas and botanical ingredients from exotic origins around the globe. This forms a palette from which we craft original blends inspired by equal parts ancient herbal wisdom and modern culinary innovation. Discover new tastes and join us on our journey to leave ‘No Leaf Unturned’.
I was really impressed by this tea!
The smell that came from the bag and then from the pot was delectable.
The flavor was a filling umami and very sweet as well. Very different kind of sweetness than a typical sencha (which to me can sometimes be sugary sweet, combining a slight bitterness with sweetness), more like a fruity sweetness without the fruit flavor.
Anyway, I was very impressed and all 3 steepings were yummy.
Now if only I can get some more local vendors to carry something like this! I doubt I will often order from Rishi because of distance and shipping when there are so many good nearby options, but this is a tea I think I’d enjoy having on hand more often. However, at $8.50 for just about 2oz, this is a very good deal.
I don’t speak Japanese, but I think “Gokubo” means “5 flavors” … I’m not sure I tasted all 5 of them, but nonetheless, this was excellent. I definitely recommend!
I said, " I need to make tea." Then magically my colleague fills my cup with Gokubo! My favorite kukicha, ever!
I can not drink any other kukicha after drinking this one. There is a wonderful citrus note and no astringency. It is rich and sweet and pretty complex. The infusion color is a beautiful rich green color.
When I lived in Northern China, there was a green tea from Lao Shan (Mt.) that I just loved.I was sad to come back to the States knowing I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on Lao Shan anytime soon. But then, my local tea shop had Rishi’s kukicha, and I was so excited!
This tea is rich and beany, while still being sweet. It’s not murkily sea-weedy, nor is it astringent. True, it does not have the depth or complexity I found in my favorite Chinese green tea, but it certainly filled that gap in my cupboard!
Now I’ve found Lao Shan elsewhere (Verdant Tea, for one) I do not know if I will be re-stocking this anytime soon. It is pricier for something that’s not as complex, but if I ever see this at a tea shop? I will definitely get this as my default green tea.
Great hot, also delicious iced. Nice in a big pot or in a gaiwan or just floating in a glass.
Nice, idiot proof green, that offers so much more bean and butter and yumminess than other greens widely available.
