I am not usually a big Sencha fan. Typically, I find that no matter what I do it comes out bitter and incredibly astringent. I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I was able to get 3 solid steeps out of this tea.
The first steep brought a sweet umami aroma and a grassy flavor that reminded me of a spring day just after a rain storm. There was a heaviness to it that left a creamy feeling on the tongue. There was absolutely no bitterness. The second steeping had the same heavy, creamy flavor but had a bitterness that wasn’t present in the first steeping. The third steeping brought the sweet umami flavor back. It was very smooth and made a great sipping tea.
I think it is time for me to re-think my feelings on Sencha. Perhaps my taste has changed, perhaps I’ve just gotten better at making it? This is a fabulous morning tea for those who aren’t looking for the strong flavor of a black tea but still like a little heavy creaminess in the morning. It would also be great as a mid-day pick-me-up!
As I reconsider my feelings towards Sencha, this is absolutely a tea that I could keep on hand to remind me that, made well, this is a wonderful green tea that is worth being enjoyed often.
Want to Know More About This Tea?
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Buckhead Tea Company
Description
Green tea lovers enjoy Sencha, a steamed green tea from Japan, for its low caffeine levels, robust flavor and refreshing nutty and fruity aftertaste.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Yuzu Berry Sencha Green Tea from Prestogeorge. . . .
I’ve recently begun seriously exploring the world of green teas. They have the best alleged health benefits; they’re springy; they’re tasty. They’re also decidedly not soda, which I have been trying with little success to quit for years.
Greens are not like black teas. One can’t just use the hot water dispenser at work and forget about them and hope they turn out okay twenty minutes later. Green teas require a lower temperature and shorter steep time in order not to singe and taste icky.
I’ve learned the hard way to put an ice cube in the gravity steeper before putting in the water, in order to get an appropriate temperature. I also try to keep an eye on the time in order to only steep for about two minutes instead of, eh, whatever.
.jpg){kind=link}
Today’s pick: a sencha! Sencha is the most popular tea in Japan. It has very green leaves that are typically plucked while young and full of nutrients. Japanese Sencha tends to be more grassy/vegetal than greens from China.
This particular blend is mixed with yuzu and safflowers. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit. (Tea has me experiencing all sorts of new fruits/flowers/berries I’d never even heard of before.)
The flavor of this blend is very tangy and grassy. The profound green-ness of the tea is balanced out with the sassy citrus of the yuzu, which is a distinctive sort of citrus. It’s zesty, like a lemon or a Mandarin orange.
I’m not sure I’d recommend this particular blend for a green tea newbie, because it has to be handled very carefully and has a REALLY distinctive flavor that one might not like. However, if you’re looking to expand your palate, this is a distinctive pick you might just love. Give it a whirl!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Prestogeorge
Description
Sencha green tea with safflowers and natural yuzu berry flavor. Yuzu berry is a Japanese citrus fruit similar to mandarin orange. Remarkable flavor.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sencha Green Tea Mini Cube from Cérémonie Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Tea
Where to Buy: Cérémonie Tea
Tea Description:
Our Signature Cérémonie Mini Cubes are unique tea experiences in individually wrapped, beautifully crafted cubes, combining enchanting flavors with unique design. The distinctive cube packaging holds a mesh tea sachet that is bursting with the bold taste of whole leaf tea, fine herbs and spices.
Cérémonie cubes convey luxury and attention to design in boutique hotels, fine dining establishments and quality catering venues worldwide.
Available in 80 count cartons.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Today I’m reviewing the Sencha Green Tea Mini Cube from Cérémonie Tea. I’m not one to get overly enthused about a bagged tea but this one is different. Cérémonie Tea offers what they refer to as mini cubes and I find they are a wonderfully functional tea to add to any collection. The mini cubes are made up of a mesh tea sachet and some of their popular look leaf tea offerings…in this case…Sencha Green Tea Mini Cube from Cérémonie Tea.
I received one of the gift sets from the company and I have to say the design of it alone intrigued me. I know I shouldn’t judge a tea by its packaging but this was lovely to see and taste!
The taste of this mini cube was nothing less than impressive, too! I seriously forgot I was sipping on a mini cube the tea quality was so good! I figured sencha was the perfect one to put to the test, too! Most bagged green teas really turn me off but this one was a real winner! It was quite fresh, wasn’t bitter, and reminiscent of a greener green tea, sweet peas, and floral notes.
If you are looking for a delicious green tea that is both tasty AND functional try Sencha Green Tea Mini Cube from Cérémonie Tea.
Organic Sencha from Aiya
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Aiya
Tea Description:
Organic Sencha is one of the highest in quality in the Japanese internationally certfied organic Sencha category. This grade of Organic Sencha is rare even in the Japanese market. This tea is grown to meet strict organic regulations while maintaining a light refreshing flavor and aroma with a clear green appearance.
Preparation:
Bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to 80°C/176°F. Steep 1 heaping teaspoon (3g) of Organic Sencha for 1.5 minutes in 1 cup (240 ml/8 oz) of hot water. With this tea, one can pour more hot water over the tea leaves and enjoy another cup.
Ingredients:
Organic Japanese Green Tea – Organic Sencha
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Organic Sencha from Aiya provides a clear, clean, flavorful cup. Aiya’s sencha is organic, which is always a plus in my book.
Steeped correctly, (175 degrees, or 80c, for 1.5 minutes), you will find no astringency or bitterness in Aiya’s Sencha.
I found this cup to have a nutty appeal, grassy of course, and just a slight seaweed flavor. While also vegetal, I find the vegetal notes to be somewhat tame.
Sencha is the most popular tea in Japan from what I have learned, and I can see why. It is light, clear, refreshing, flavorful, and thirst quenching.
Sencha can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
This sencha also leaves a lovely floral essence on the palate. It is a surprising and delicious experience.
Aiya’s website is truly a sight to behold. The flash site has a cool viewing and user experience, although it takes a little time to learn proper navigation, I did enjoy it and I am not one who is usually partial to flash sites.
Aiya sells their Organic Sencha for 25.80 USD excluding any applicable taxes in an 80 gram size and I do believe that it comes in its own tin, which is always a plus.
I have also found some useful and fun information on their blog, which is mostly dedicated to matcha. You can find Aiya’s blog here.
