Sencha Reiwa
A supreme grade of Shincha Sencha picked in spring 2021. Refreshingly complex and sappy with deep, savoury umami and intense vegetal sweetness in a concentrated, smooth infusion.
Sencha Reiwa
煎茶
Translating as ‘beautiful harmony’, our Sencha Reiwa is made by tenth-generation tea farmer, Kimio Ishiyama, who was honoured by being chosen to grow tea for newly crowned Japanese Emperor Naruhito in the first year of the Reiwa era in 2019. Crafted in small batches, this outstanding steamed green tea encapsulates Ishiyama’s skills and experience. Located in Kawane, Ishiyama’s garden occupies just 1.5 hectares, but this is land where tea bushes have been growing for more than 400 years. It’s fed by the Oi river as it passes from the high Minami-Alps on its way out to the Pacific Ocean. Tiny by conventional standards, this garden sits in a region with a mountainous terroir that keeps plots small.
- Cultivar - Saemidori
- Picked - Spring – 21st April 2021
- Oxidisation level - 0%
Tasting notes
What to Look For
Deep green, whole needles of tea.
Aroma
Fresh and grassy with marine notes.
In the Cup
A vibrant green infusion.
Taste
Intense umami and vegetal flavours in a smooth, thick green tea.
Origin
- Cultivar - Saemidori
- Picked - Spring – 21st April 2021
- Oxidisation level - 0%
Origin
Tasting notes
What to Look For
Deep green, whole needles of tea.
Aroma
Fresh and grassy with marine notes.
In the Cup
A vibrant green infusion.
Taste
Intense umami and vegetal flavours in a smooth, thick green tea.
The perfect cup
- To prepare using the senchadō method, measure 6g or 2 tsp per cup (120ml)
- Heat water to 60°C
- Infuse tea for 1 minutes
- You can re-infuse this tea up to 4 times
- Goes a long wayYes, the tea can be viewed as a more premium price point for green tea. I was sceptical at the suggested re-infusion rate of four however all four pots of 250mls of water to 4 grams of tea for me worked wonders and I even had two of the four pots of tea the next day with no decrease in flavour or taste.
I know this has deviated from the suggested ‘perfect cup’ measurements however in times of high inflation I found this tea could go a long way. I would not want to use such a large amount of tea as suggested by Jing to a small portion of water. That is my view. You, the reader, may differ in that view.
I found the tea light and refreshing. Not earthy or woody. The dark green leaves do open up and become pale green in colour. Like the more expensive green teas on sale.
A great tea at a reasonable price point for the quality and taste.
It is up to your taste whether the tea goes a long way or not. I do not like wishy-washy green tea and nor too bold, so to put a different spin on what I have said previously here in this review… pot number four of the same portion of tea tasted just as good as the first pot and was not at all wishy-washy.
- The bestThe most expensive tea I ever bought but I think this tea is very special. If I compare it with a gyokuro or sencha this sencha reiwa is completely different.Its much lighter than normal sencha but with a stronger taste and there is something very refreshing about this tea with a renew vibe energy also is very good for a concentration and a focus. And the taste wow at first I didn't like it very much because of a salty aftertaste and I used to a gyokuro which one is deeper and very calming. But after 5 days drinking this tea I really enjoy every slip of it. It's like drinking something very good and special simply the best tea I ever try. And I think this tea is amazing to drink in the morning ???? very early and with all intentions we have for a day
- NiceI liked this tea it tastes like gyokuro tea. It’s a strong rich green tea. Would buy again. Would like the option of a bigger packet size.