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Sencha is a traditional Japanese green tea made by steaming freshly-plucked tea leaves that are then rolled into needle-like leaves. As with nearly all tea cultivation in Japan (excluding high-end teas like matcha and gyokuro), this tea is harvested and processed by machine, so the leaves should be quite uniform in shape and size.
Due to the steaming process, Japanese green tea brews into a much brighter green tea in the cup and retains more of a vegetal, grassy flavor compared to Chinese green teas, which are generally pan-fired (for example, Dragon Well or our Heirloom Green Tea).
We use premium-quality whole cherry blossoms for our blend. To make the tea, we remove the stems by hand so that only the petals make it into the final product. When brewed on their own as a tea, cherry blossoms have a very mild, subtly sweet flavor.
While Sencha can sometimes be quite bitter, brewing it at a lower temperature and for a shorter period of time compared to other teas will yield a sweeter, milder cup. This Sencha used in this blend comes from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan and is mild, bright, and fresh.
Brewing Guidelines
Brew green tea with water below boiling temperature to minimize harshness or bitterness.
Heat 8 oz of filtered water to a boil and cool to 180 °F (about 80 °C) by pouring into a cool glass and letting it sit for a few minutes. Alternatively, use a kettle with a temperature selection option to heat only to 180 °F.
Pour water over 3 g (about 1 - 1.5 teaspoons) tea and steep 2 – 3 minutes. Adjust time and amount of tea depending on desired strength.
If serving over ice, use more tea when brewing to avoid diluting the tea too much as it cools.
Always use filtered or spring water to fully enjoy the taste of your tea. For best results, brew using a teapot with a removable filter that allows the leaves to unfurl completely. Avoid tea balls/eggs or other infusers that compress the tea leaves.
The tea leaves can be re-steeped multiple times, increasing the steeping time slightly for each infusion.
Storing Tea
Keep sealed in a cool, dry place away from strong odors, moisture, and light. We do not recommend storing tea in clear containers (such as glass jars) as light can affect the shelf life of tea.
Green tea should be consumed within 1 - 2 years of purchase for optimal flavor.
