This Hokumei single cultivar tea from the Yoshino Tea Garden has a refreshing taste, almost as if a breath of fresh air was passing through your mouth. Characterised with a good balance of umami and astringency, this tea can also be enjoyed after meals. The cultivar Hokumei (in Japanese: 北茗) was developed by the Saitama Prefecture Tea Experimental Station. It is a cultivar that is similar to the more common Yabukita cultivar with more resilience to the cold weather. In particular, the finished leaves of this cultivar has a good appearance and gifted with a fresh aroma. 

Steeping Notes

Tea: 5 grams. Time: 60 sec. Water: 70C/175F, 200 ml.

Steep immediately upon second steep, and 30-60 seconds for the third steep.

Product Info

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Cultivar: Hokumei 北茗
• Harvest: Spring 2021 
• Region: Hidaka City (Sayama), Saitama

Producer Info

• Name: Yoshino Tea Garden
• Type: Family business, farm

The Yoshino family has been farming tea in Sayama, Saitama, for at least 7 generations, and while many farmers cultivate many different cultivars, the current head, Seiichi Yoshino, has made an effort to offer single cultivar sencha to the public. He has also worked on developing his own cultivars, Horai Kincha and Murasaki Kifujin.