Hashiri Shincha
Yakushima Sofu P. Free

Super Premium 97 P.

SKU
5660
The very first shincha of the year 2023. Grown without the use of plant protection products on the southern Pacific island of Yakushima, Japan. Rare gourmet Sofu cultivar, sourced directly from Takehiko Fujiyama. 80g
  • Rare and aromatic Sofu cultivar
  • The tea plants benefit from the clear air and water in one of the rainiest places in the world
Character Umami, extremely elegant and very refreshing, with a grassy hay aroma and notes of celery tuber plus essential herbs like yarrow
Tea Garden Mr. Takehiko Fujiyama
Terroir Anbo, Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Harvest 1st harvest (ichibancha): April 3rd, 2023
Cultivar Sofu
Elevation 108m above sea level
Steaming Between asamushi and chumushi (35 seconds)
Organic Cert. Cultivated without the use of plant protection products
Laboratory Tests Radioactivity (region as of 04/2022)
Grade 97/100 p. (shincha category); Super Premium

 

€15.90
80g

Delivery : 1–3 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. Shipping

SKU
5660
€198.75 / 1kg
In stock

Tea Farm

Mr. Fujiyama recently took over the farm from Mr. Kosaku Hidaka 日高好作. Mr. Hidaka, now governor of Yakushima, was one of the most popular and well-known tea farmers on the island. His popularity is what propelled him from farming to politics.

Character

Flavour

The heady, maritime umami and full body of this tea give it a nourishing and palatable character with an elegant bitterness, traits which are accompanied by a sharp freshness and strength and the typical Sofu floral notes of jasmine and orchid. This year, the Sofu shincha has a particularly sweet grassiness as well as vegetal notes of celery tuber, making the tea even more refreshing.

Leaf

Alternating light and dark needles, small leaf pieces

Cup

Soft, yellowish green

Shincha 2023

Shincha is prepared like sencha and is made from the first green tea harvest of the year. This tea is also known as spring tea or air-freighted tea. Shincha is an especially rare quality of tea that on account of its intense freshness and pronounced aroma is cherished by many as the most exquisite of all harvests.

Yoshi En

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1993, Yakushima is famous for its unique primeval landscape. 90% of this subtropical island is covered by the temperate Mononoke rainforest, which hosts approximately 300,000 tourists annually, of which many come for hiking activities.

The average temperature is 19.4°C, with an approximately 6–7°C difference between day and night as a result of the high mountains. The snow-covered Mt. Miyanoura peaks at 1936m above sea level and is the highest mountain in Kyushu. Yakushima is therefore referred to as the “Alps of the Ocean”.

The island receives the highest rainfall in Japan at 4400mm per year. As a result, Yakushima not only boasts many waterways and springs, but also a large amount of fog.

Clear water, fog and significant fluctuations between day and night temperatures in this subtropical climate come together to create some of the best conditions for cultivating high-quality sencha.

Single Origin

This tea is sourced exclusively from the above-mentioned tea plantations in Yakushima and is purchased directly from the farmer.

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped teaspoons per 100–300ml water (50–60°C). Steep for 2 minutes. Suitable for several infusions.

For a particularly strong infusion which contains the full character of the cultivar, we recommend using nearly boiling water (90–100°C) and steeping for 1 minute.

Packaging

High-quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination.

Recommended Teapot

A high-quality violet Banko kyusu with a fine ceramic strainer best enhances the aromas, flavour complexity and body of this very umami-rich tea. On the other hand, a classic black Tokoname kyusu would be ideal for emphasising the fresh sencha grassiness of this tea.

Recommended Storage

A high-quality tea caddy made of cherry bark (solid wood, kabazaiku chazutsu) is ideal, though any airtight tea caddy with internal coating will suffice.

Laboratory Tests

The purity of our formulas is important to us. This is why we have both our raw ingredients as well as our finished products extensively tested by independent laboratories to confirm purity and active ingredient content. Here, we have provided the results of some of the tests carried out on this product.

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