KAG0003 "YABUKITA" (40g)
Laver, a breath of roast, umami that coats rather than pierces. Classic in the best possible sense.
Yabukita accounts for roughly 70% of Japan's green tea production. Nagayama-san at Harutonari in Kagoshima has built his career mastering this one cultivar, and his version shows why — the covered growing adds shade sweetness to an already balanced profile, the aroma carries a faint roast char alongside the laver, and the liquor spreads with a soft texture that carries the umami gently.
Brew at 60°C for the fullest expression. The sweetness holds as the cup cools, and the finish is clean with just enough structure to bring you back.
| Brew Temperature | 60°C |
|---|---|
| Brew Time | 2min |
| Tea Amount | 4.0g |
| Water Amount | 120ml |
Recipe
Point
The charm of this Yabukita tea is definitely its umami.
In order to enjoy the umami of the tea as it spreads across your tongue, try brewing it slowly at a low temperature of around 60 degrees Celsius for the first time.
Yabukita is a very well-balanced cultivar, so we also recommend brewing it at a higher temperature the second time around to enjoy its well-balanced taste
If you don't have a temperature-controlled electric kettle or thermometer, use the following method to cool the water.
- Boil water and transfer to a teacup once.
- Wait for 2 minutes to allow the temperature to drop to around 80 degrees.
*The temperature drop will vary depending on the shape and material of the teacup.
How to Brew
- Prepare the water at 60 degrees Celsius.
- Put the tea leaves in the teapot and pour the hot water.
- After 120 seconds, pour the water into the teapot, shaking it slightly.
- The last drop from the teapot is a superb drop of tea, rich in the flavor of the tea leaves. Pour every last drop of tea gently.
Reference
| Tea Type | Sencha |
|---|---|
| Cultivar | YABUKITA |
| Origin | Kagoshima |
| Cultivation Method | Covered |
| Caffeine Level | Medium |
| Caffeine per Cup | 30mg |
| Net Weight | 40g |
| Cold Brew | Yes |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
Shipping
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Whenever we visit Mr. Nagayama, we always end up talking with him for a long time because of his passion for making tea, which burns within his gentle personality. He has built a wooden deck in the garden of his house right behind his farm, where you can drink tea while looking over the tea trees swaying in the wind. The time we spent talking endlessly about tea while basking in the warm spring sunshine was a treasure for us.
Yabukita is a very popular variety of green tea that accounts for 70% of the production share in Japan. It is highly regarded for its rich and well-balanced flavor and is produced by almost every tea producer in Japan. Mr. Nagayama says he wants to master this variety. "If I could make the best Yabukita, I would be the best tea farmer in Japan, right?" he said, and we were moved by his words.
His Yabukita has strong umami that spreads along with its soft texture, and a classic aroma that is typical of green tea. One of the best Yabukita teas we have ever tasted.
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