#0133.K2 Yamane-en: First Flush Saemidori Fukamushicha from the Yakushima Island, Kagoshima 屋久島茶

A first flush saemidori fukamushicha (deep steamed tea) coming from the famous Yakushima Islands in Kagoshima prefecture.  The saemidori (in Japanese; さえみどり; meaning, “clear green”) tea cultivar is known in Japan for its sweet flavor profile, very green color and earlier harvest.  In fact, this first flush tea comes a month earlier than other regions as a result of the southern location of Yakushima island and the early stage of leaf growth, making this tea extra delicate. The saemidori cultivar was registered as a crossbreed in 1991 (Yabukita x Asatsuyu) and has since experienced substantial progress. This cultivar favors warm climates and is therefore mainly cultivated in the Kyushu area, as it is quite sensitive to cold making it unfavorable to grow in other areas.

Product Info

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Cultivar: Saemidori
• Harvest: April 6-9, 2020
• Region: Yakushima, Kagoshima

Vendor Info

• Name: Yamane-en Tea Shop, a small tea shop in Tokyo operated by the Shiobara family.
• Location: 3-34-1 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
• Established: About 60 years ago.

Yamane-en is a family-operated tea shop based near Sugamo Station on the Yamanote Loop Line in Tokyo and run by tea master Michio Shiobara. With 40 years of experience in the Japanese tea industry behind him, Shiobara-san offers unique teas sourced from small villages throughout Japan as well as a number of tisanes popular in Japan for their health benefits.