Kabuse Sencha Green

50 grams/1.8 oz

Wazuka, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Nestled among the mist-covered hills of Kyoto’s celebrated tea-growing region, Kabuse Sencha represents one of Japan’s most elegant expressions of shaded green tea. Carefully cultivated in the historic village of Wazuka, this exceptional tea bridges the vibrant freshness of traditional Sencha with the rich sweetness and umami of Gyokuro, offering a beautifully balanced cup that showcases the artistry of Japanese tea cultivation.

Several weeks before harvest, the tea bushes are gently shaded beneath protective coverings, reducing direct sunlight and encouraging the leaves to produce higher concentrations of chlorophyll and naturally occurring amino acids, particularly L-theanine. This traditional cultivation method creates a tea of remarkable depth—rich in sweetness, vibrant in color, and layered with refined vegetal complexity. Harvested during the spring season and lightly steamed to preserve its freshness, Kabuse Sencha exemplifies the harmony between nature and craftsmanship that has defined Kyoto tea for centuries.

Its slender emerald leaves unfurl into a luminous yellow-green infusion with an inviting aroma of freshly cut grass, steamed spinach, young spring vegetables, and sweet garden herbs. The first sip reveals a luxurious wave of mellow umami balanced by gentle sweetness before evolving into notes of steamed greens, buttery edamame, delicate marine minerality, and subtle hints of sweet peas. A refined, delicate astringency emerges on the finish, cleansing the palate while inviting another sip. With each infusion, the tea gradually unveils new layers of sweetness, vegetal richness, and elegant complexity.

Kabuse Sencha is an ideal companion for quiet mornings, mindful tea ceremonies, or moments when one desires both clarity and calm. Its harmonious balance of freshness, sweetness, and umami makes it a wonderful introduction to Japan’s shaded teas while offering enough complexity to captivate even the most experienced tea enthusiast.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut grass, steamed spinach, spring vegetables, sweet herbs

Flavor: Rich umami, sweet steamed greens, buttery edamame, soft marine minerality, delicate sweetness

Body: Medium to Full

Finish: Long, smooth, lightly astringent, clean, and refreshingly sweet

Brewing Guide (Western Style)

Tea: 2–3 grams (approximately 1 teaspoon) per 8 oz (240 ml) of water

Water Temperature: 160–170°F (71–77°C)

Steep Time: 1½–2 minutes

Using cooler water highlights Kabuse Sencha’s natural sweetness and rich umami while minimizing bitterness and allowing its delicate vegetal character to fully develop.

Gongfu Cha Brewing

Kabuse Sencha rewards careful, short infusions that gradually reveal its remarkable progression of sweetness, umami, and refined vegetal complexity.

Tea: 5 grams

Vessel: 100–120 ml Kyusu or Gaiwan

Water Temperature: 160–170°F (71–77°C)

Recommended Infusions

Rinse: Not recommended

1st Infusion: 30 seconds

2nd Infusion: 20 seconds

3rd Infusion: 30 seconds

4th Infusion: 45 seconds

5th Infusion: 60 seconds

Additional Infusions: Increase steep time by 15–20 seconds as desired

Expected Steeps: 5–7 enjoyable infusions

Each infusion reveals a different expression of the leaf—from rich umami and sweet spring vegetables in the first steep to increasingly delicate notes of fresh herbs, buttery greens, and soft mineral sweetness that linger gracefully through the final cups.

Tea Minister’s Serving Suggestion

Enjoy Kabuse Sencha during moments of quiet reflection or whenever you wish to experience the elegant balance between Sencha and Gyokuro. It pairs beautifully with fresh sushi, sashimi, lightly grilled seafood, steamed vegetables, tofu dishes, mild goat cheese, delicate rice crackers, Japanese wagashi, or subtly sweet pastries. Its refined character also makes it an excellent companion for meditation, mindful reading, nature walks, or meaningful conversation shared over tea.

“Kabuse Sencha reminds us that life, like tea, is transformed by balance. Through a brief season of shade, the leaf develops extraordinary depth—teaching us that even moments of quiet stillness can nurture remarkable beauty within.”