Very rare terakawa-wase cultivar sencha grown and processed by the Shimizu family of Suizawa, Mie Prefecture. The leaves are first covered by a translucent veil in March to protect them against wind and cold air (that could create damaging frost), then covered for about two weeks in late April to create an extra boost of umami flavor. This tea has a mild taste and is easy to drink and the Shimizu family even recommend this tea for children. A note about the Terakawa-wase cultivar: A cultivar that was developed for matcha, this cultivar was selected out of seedlings from a native tea plant in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture and registered in 1990. Product Info Name: Premium Sencha, Terakawa-wase Cultivar: Terakawa-wase Cultivation & Processing Notes Shaded Steaming: Regular Steaming Harvest: Late April / Early May Region: Suizawa Village, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture Steeping Notes 1st steeping Tea: 5 grams. Time: 1 minutes. Water: 70˚C/176˚F, 200 ml. 2nd steeping Tea: same. Time: 10-20 seconds. Water: 90˚C/194˚F, 200 ml. 3rd steeping Increase time to 30-45 seconds or to desired strength. **Consider also cold steeping or ice steeping (see Steeping Techniques).
