Description
Liquid Jade No. 2 – Native Wazuka Sencha
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Liquid Jade No. 2 – Native Wazuka Sencha
Native Wazuka Sencha is part of the “liquid jade sencha” series by Tea Crane, a trader specialized in naturally cultivated teas by small producers in Japan. The operator, Tyas Sösen, is a Belgian by birth who has lived in Japan since his later adolescence. There, as the youngest officially certified tea master of foreign origin, he learned the tea trade from scratch. His love for traditional Japanese Sencha teas of regional character ultimately culminated in the founding of The Tea Crane. The underlying philosophy is a return to the original ancient Japanese Sencha. This means that the cultivation is free of pesticides and comparably low in fertilizers. In addition, it means processing that is free of the industrial mass processes that are often characteristic of tea production in Japan today. These are the features making also this tea a traditional, naturally cultivated Japanese Sencha tea.
“Azuma Chaen” Tea Garden in Wazuka, Kyoto
Tea Tea Garden – Azuma Chaen Tea Farm / The Producer – Teruko Azuma
Native Wazuka Sencha is a unique tea originating from Azuma Chaen, a family-operated tea farm in Wazuka, Kyoto. The farm emphasizes sustainable and natural cultivation practices, growing seed-propagated tea plants without pesticides and with minimal use of fertilizers. Tea bushes are nourished primarily with organic fertilizers like oil cake and compost, blended by hand to meet the specific needs of the plants.
Only a small portion of the farm’s annual production is dedicated to Sencha, crafted with care to retain the rich, natural flavor of the leaves. The tea is refined and lightly fired in-house, enhancing its sweetness and shelf life. Native Wazuka Sencha is a testament to the Azuma family’s dedication to crafting teas that honor both tradition and nature.
Teruko Azuma
The Picking
The Azuma family employs a single annual harvest during the first flush to maintain quality and reduce pest pressures naturally. After this early harvest, the bushes are trimmed, leaving no foliage for pests to survive on. This innovative method allows the farm to avoid using pesticides while ensuring the health and longevity of the tea bushes.
The Processing
The processing of Native Wazuka Sencha in principle follows the traditional standard of green tea processing in Japan. This means that the tea leaves undergo hot steam treatment at first right after picking. This serves to stop the enzymatic oxidation processes in the tea leaf. Then the tea leaves are rolled into the characteristic needle shape in 2 consecutive processing steps (kneading and rolling). This takes place using dedicated mechanical devices, serving to fix the actual state achieved by the oxidation stop. After this follows the final drying, reducing the residual moisture in the tea leaf to about 5%.
Taste and Appearance
Native Wazuka Sencha captivates with a clean, fresh aroma and a wonderfully balanced depth of flavor. Its infusion reveals a vibrant green color, reflecting the vitality of its natural cultivation methods.
On the palate, it unfolds a delicate umami taste, accompanied by subtle sweetness and hints of vegetal freshness. Notes of young grass and light nutty undertones are complemented by a gentle minerality, giving the tea its distinct elegance.
The finish is pleasantly smooth, leaving a long, invigorating aftertaste that invites you to enjoy another cup. This Sencha is the perfect companion for moments of mindfulness and indulgence.
Preparation
Unlike the typical modern Sencha, Native Wazuka Sencha unfolds its individual flavor profile best when infused with boling hot water (90°C-100°C). The recommended dosage is about 2-3g of tea leaves per 100ml of as-soft-as-possible water. The first of up to 4 tasty infusions should steep for 1 minute at the max. For the subsequent infusions, a gradual increase in the steeping period from infusion to infusion is recommendable.
The following blog article provides an overview of the history and basic types of green tea in Japan:
For more (unshaded) Sencha teas at Siam Tea Shop, follow the link below:
https://www.siam-teas.com/product-category/tea-from-japan/sencha-tea/
Stephen Govier –
Brewed Gong Fu there was no bitterness at all. Incredibly soft Unami with a wonderful taste. Each steep brings a majestic progression, a deep after taste and long-lasting sweetness. Rich and complex – both sharp, flowery, and herbal – with a most calming Cha Qi. Simply delightful.
Kristen (verified owner) –
Wonderful, very delicious. I felt uplifted and nourished with each sip and it helped me to forget the wintery cold outside. I am always joyfully pleased with these wholesome and unique teas from around the world that I’ve discovered through this shop.