Yabukita Kabuse

Brewing. 1st Steep: 6g of leaf | 110g of water @ 160°F | Steep for 1 minute. 2nd Steep: 175°F | Steep for 30 seconds

Storage: Keep the tea in the refrigerator. After opening, place the tin in a ziploc bag before returning to the fridge - this will protect the tea from absorbing any aromas from your refrigerator.

Description: A resplendent tea made by a peerless tea maker. Made from 100% Yabukita cultivar - the cultivar that defines Shizuoka and accounts for over 80% of the prefectures yearly output. This stunning tea is shaded by indirect covering for 12 days and then hand picked. Shading adds a richness and depth of both color and mouthfeel. The shading process was controlled as to not disturb the development of the teas natural freshness and "scent of the mountains" - the most desirable characteristic of teas from the mountainous areas of Shizuoka. Made with very limited natural fertilizers, the producer has done a wonderful job showcasing both the cultivars natural appeal and the regions distinct character. This tea is a commitment to crafting tea of the highest order.

What is so special about this tea? With much of Shizuoka now mass producing deep steamed teas with only umami in mind, the mountain teas from Shimizu, Kawane and Honyama remind us of an older, classic style of light steamed Sencha. This Kabuse skirts the line being both classic (light steamed Yabukita) and forward thinking (indirectly shaded) and delivers a remarkable result. The young tea maker has already won the praise of his peers and the industry, but has an insatiable appetite to continue redefining the region by showcasing single cultivar teas and applying tea making techniques of the highest order.