A boxed set of Competition Japanese teas for the most discerning of palates! Our selection of auction-winning teas represent the highest technical standard in hand-made tea production.
1. 2021 National Competition Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Awarded No. 1 Kabuse in all of Japan
Kabuse is a signature tea of Uji and is shaded half the time compared to Gyokuro (30 days). There are two versions with relatively the same name but differ in processing: Kabuse Sencha and Kabusecha. Kabuse Sencha is processed using the same techniques as asamushi "classic steamed" sencha producing long, shiny pine needle shapes with a clear, light-colored brew. Kabusecha is formed into a course, flat shaped, a leaf that is matte in color.
This year's award goes to Kiyotomi Shimooka for his floral Kabuse. Teas are numerically judged on four characteristics; appearance (gaikan), aroma (kouki), brew color (suishoku), and astringency (shibumi). This tea exemplifies the finest representation of this ageless classic style.
Farmer:
Kiyotomi Shimooka
Origin:
Uji, Japan (Ujitawara)
Cultivar:
100% Yabukita
Servings:
2 x 5g
Net weight:
10g
2. Competition Yabukita Sencha No. 1002
Kansai Regional Tea Competition Sep 3, 2021
At the annual Kansai Tea Competition, around 200 growers vie for the five categories—Sencha, Fukamushi, Kabuse, Gyokuro, and Tencha— span across Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Shiga, and Mie. The Yabukita Sencha No. 1002 offered here is classically steamed with light methodology to give it a clear and almost pale appearance while creating an incredible depth of flavors within a single sip. This hand-picked, hand-rolled Competition Grade tea exemplifies the highest technical skill in crafting tea. It takes ~200 people to carefully select the finest leaves and up to 10 hours of hand rolling to complete the batch. Enjoy its physical beauty, aroma, long-lasting aftertaste, and its luminescent green color. This year, we were lucky to win the auction for 4kg of this tea and offer it exclusively for you.
Origin:
Yamazoe, Nara, Japan
Ranking:
Second place overall
Producer:
Naoki Okunaka
Flavor Profile:
Sweet almond aroma, deep marigold taste, refreshing astringency
Servings:
5 x 5g
Net weight:
25g
