Sunrouge Tea
Red Pest.Free

Super Premium 97 P.

SKU
0789
Sunrouge Red: Unique cultivation methods, using mainly late harvests of older aracha red tea leaves. Plants grown on Tokunoshima Seicha tea farm, located on the subtropical island of Tokunoshima in southern Japan. Cultivated without pesticides. 80g
 
Character Fruity, fresh, nobly bitter; contains maximum anthocyanins, catechins and methylated catechins
Tea Garden Tokunoshima Seicha (徳之島製茶), Mr. Yuki Toyumura
Terroir Tokunoshima Island (Reg.), Kagoshima (Präf.), Japan
Harvest 1st and 2nd (30% each), as well as 3rd (40%) 2023 harvests (ichibancha, nibancha & sanbancha) of the buds and first 3 leaves
Cultivar Sunrouge
Steaming Short (asamushi, 30-40 seconds with increased distance from steam outlet)
Finish Aracha (low degree of drying to protect the heat-sensitive anthocyanins)
Elevation 150m above sea level
Organic Cert. Cultivation without pesticides
Laboratory Tests Radioactivity (Region last tested 11/2019)
Grade 97/100 p. (Sunrouge category); Super Premium
€15.90
80g

Delivery : 1–3 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. Shipping

SKU
0789
€198.75 / 1kg
In stock

Tea Farm

Tokunoshima Seicha

The family-owned farm, which is in its second generation, is run by Yuki Toyumura (豊村友樹). It is located on the picturesque and sunny Pacific island of Tokunoshima. Toyumura cultivates not only catechin-rich Benifuuki, also anthocyanin-rich Sunrouge.

Character

Flavour

For this Sunrouge Red tea, mainly red tea leaves (which are rich in anthocyanins) are selected. The green leaves are used for the production of Sunrouge Green. Additionally, attention is made to ensuring that the majority of the tea comes from late harvests. This results in a high concnetration of anthocyanins, which colour the tea ruby red and create a slilghtly fruity, tart and berry-like flavour. It also contributes to a high percentage of bitter compounds, especially catechins. The island of Tokunoshima, which receives the most intense sunlight in Japan, provides the ideal conditions for the Sunrouge cultivar, resulting in a very strong, nobly bitter tea. Sunrouge can be likened to cistus, a tea which is known for its high content of anthocyanins and catechins. We highly recommend adding a few squirts of fresh lemon to the brewed tea. This not only causes the colour to change to a beautiful dark red shade, but also has a very positive effect on the flavour. The tea becomes much fruitier and less bitter and develops a slight sweetness. The result is a refreshing and pleasant tea.

Needles

Fine, beautiful and silky needles; very dark, almost black with a bright reddish tinge. Low proportion of stems.

Cup

Ruby red colour. Longer brewing time results in a very dark, brownish red. A longer infusion time results in a very dark brown-red. We recommend adding lemon which, along with a longer infusion time, alters the pH and results in a beautiful, luminous dark red cup.

SUNROUGE

Sunrouge is a cultivar of the "Cha Chuukanbohon Nou 6" variety, and was specially developed in Japan as a result of crossing the Camellia sinensis and taliensis varieties. The cultivar's most striking feature is the bright red colour of the leaves. This shade is also characteristic of the plant's teas, and indicates a high concentration of anthocyanins. This natural pigmentation is also found in blueberries. In Japan, a squeeze of lemon juice is often added to the tea, which makes it particularly refreshing and further intensifies its red shade.

Laboratory Tests

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements. Likewise, all the regions of Japan from which we source our teas are tested for radioactivity for every harvest.

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 & Processing

The small Pacific island of Tokunoshima is located just north of Okinawa, in the Amami Archipelago in the southernmost region of Japan. Much of the volcanically active island is protected as a part of the Amami Guntō National Park and is home to an astounding range of fauna and flora.

Tokunoshima is a popular destination for tourists on account of its natural beauty, bright sapphire blue waters, and pristine beaches. The climate is moist and subtropical with high rainfall. The region is also one of the sunniest in all of Japan. Tokunoshima Island is an ideal location for growing sunrouge teas because the tea plants are able to produce high concentrations of polyphenols and bitter substances under these conditions.

The tea is steamed only briefly (asamushi), in order to protect the methylated catechins. The machines are placed relatively far away from the steaming source. To compensate, the steaming time is set slightly longer than usual.

Sunrouge

The sunrouge cultivar is a hybrid of the variety “Cha Chuukanbohon Nou 6″ (C.taliensis x C.sinensis).

Single Origin

This tea is exclusively sourced from the above mentioned tea farm in Tokunomshima. Sourced directly from the tea farmer.

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped tsp per 200-300ml (70-75°C) water. Steep for 2 minutes for a regular infusion, or up to 5 minutes for a stronger infusion. Add a few squirts of lemon juice.

Packaging

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

Recommended Teapot

The ideal teapot for this tea is a black tokoname kyusu with a fine ceramic strainer, which evens out the bitter substances in the tea.

Recommended Storage

Ideally store in a quality tea caddy made from cherry tree bark (wooden, kabazaiku chazutsu) or an air-tight, double-coated metal tin.

Our recommendations

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