The 2024 Kabusecha Yabukita Kumamoto Guricha from Tomizawa Tea Garden is a celebration of fresh beginnings, encapsulating the early season vitality of shincha—Japan’s first harvest of the year. Unlike traditional sencha, this guricha is processed as tamaryokucha, with leaves that are left slightly curled, capturing a unique texture and character in every leaf.
Tea Region
Tea tree
Cultivar
Harvest
Picking & processing
Mashiki, Kumamoto, Japan
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Yabukita
Early May, 2024
Slightly longer than regular steaming but retains shape well, so not quite fukamushi (deep steamed)
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Kumamoto Prefecture, the Tomizawa Tea Garden stands as a testament to resilience, tradition, and the art of organic tea cultivation. After enduring the devastation of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, this family-run tea farm rebuilt not just its physical space, but its spirit, opening the doors of the Greentea.Lab in 2018. With over 85 years of tea farming history, the Tomizawa family continues to honor their legacy through the meticulous cultivation of high-quality teas, embracing nature’s rhythms and sustainable practices.
The 2024 Kabusecha Yabukita Kumamoto Guricha from Tomizawa Tea Garden is a celebration of fresh beginnings, encapsulating the early season vitality of shincha—Japan’s first harvest of the year. This kabusecha, or “covered tea,” is shaded for about two weeks before its early May harvest, allowing the Yabukita cultivar to develop a rich, sweet flavor profile enhanced by shading. Unlike traditional sencha, this guricha is processed as tamaryokucha, with leaves that are left slightly curled, capturing a unique texture and character in every leaf.
Light japanese dishes (Chawanmushi, Tamago Sushi)
The tea pairs beautifully with delicate, umami-rich dishes like chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard) or tamago sushi (sweet omelet on rice), complementing their soft textures and mild flavors.
Steamed vegetables (asparagus, green beans)
Enjoy alongside simply steamed vegetables, such as asparagus or green beans with a drizzle of sesame dressing. The tea’s umami enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Soba Noodles
Zaru soba (chilled soba noodles with dipping sauce) is an excellent pairing, as the tea’s fresh, grassy notes echo the earthy flavors of the buckwheat noodles, creating a harmonious dining experience.
Light seafood (grilled white fish, scallops)
The tea’s clean, vegetal notes complement light seafood dishes like grilled white fish, scallops, or steamed shellfish. These dishes bring out the tea’s sweet umami without overpowering its delicate flavors.
Mochi
Simple rice-based desserts like mochi or sweet rice cakes provide a soft, chewy texture and subtle sweetness that pairs elegantly with the tea’s umami-rich profile.
Leaf
sweet pea shoots, subtle hint of pine, light sea breeze
Cup
steamed spinach, chestnuts, blooming gardenias
Flavor
edamame, lightly toasted almonds, Kumamoto’s mineral water
Tea weight: 3 gram
Water amount: 200 ml.
1st steeping
time 60 sec.
temperature 60˚C
2nd steeping
time 10-20 sec.
temperature 70˚C
3rd steeping
Increase time by 30-45 seconds or to the desired strength.
Tea weight: 5 gram
Water amount: 500 ml
Water temperature: cold to room temperature
Steep time: 3 hours
These are broad guidelines, and you can definitely adjust the water amount, temperature, tea amount, and steep time depending on your own personal taste.
