Okuyutaka (Kabuse Sencha / Wazuka, Kyoto)

Sweetness (Umami): ★★★ Bitterness: ★★ Color: ★★★ Premium Okuyutaka single-origin tea leaves from Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture. Water color of the tea: Left: 1st infusion | Right: 2nd infusion Okuyutaka single-origin tea leaves from Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture. This mid-late maturing variety is harvested about six days later than the widely available "Yabukita" cultivar, and is considered rare due to its short optimal harvest window. What sets YUGEN's Okuyutaka apart is its rich umami and mellow, full-bodied flavor, complemented by an elegantly refined aroma. The first infusion offers a deeply satisfying umami and richness, with a comforting warmth that feels familiar, even in this high-grade sencha. The second infusion retains the essence of Okuyutaka, revealing a refreshing brightness against its deep green hue. Within this, the profound umami and richness of Okuyutaka come alive, creating a more vibrant taste. For the third infusion and beyond, increasing the water temperature brings out a more approachable freshness and a subtle bitterness, characteristic of kabusecha, that gently blends into your daily routine. - What is Kabusecha? Kabusecha is a tea that sits between sencha and gyokuro. By covering the tea fields to block sunlight, it suppresses the production of catechins, which cause bitterness, and enhances umami and sweetness. While gyokuro is covered for about 20 days, kabusecha is typically covered for about a week. Its characteristic feature is its combination of the mellow sweetness of gyokuro and the refreshing flavor of sencha. (YUGEN's kabusecha is covered for 14 to 20 days. The tea leaves are carefully selected and nurtured by hand by tea farmers.) Consequently, it is a Japanese tea that possesses the sweetness and umami of gyokuro while also having the flavor profile of sencha. Furthermore, the components extracted vary with water temperature: a gentler temperature yields a stronger gyokuro-like sweetness and umami, while a hotter temperature allows you to enjoy the refreshing bitterness of sencha. Therefore, for the first infusion, we recommend a water temperature of about 60-70°C, and for subsequent infusions, increasing the temperature by about 10°C to enjoy the difference in taste. Kabusecha is rich not only in catechins but also in the antioxidant and relaxing amino acid "theanine," as well as vitamin C. =========================================== **Tea from Wazuka, Kyoto: Cultivated by 800 Years of History and Morning Mist** Wazuka Town is located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture. With a tea cultivation tradition passed down for 800 years, it is a top-tier tea-producing region, highly regarded for its taste, aroma, and the shape of its leaves (beautifully straight, needle-like). Wazuka, a basin surrounded by mountains, experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, and its tea fields are frequently shrouded in deep morning mist. This mist not only enhances the scenic beauty but also acts as a "natural umbrella" for the tea leaves. Amino acids, the source of tea's umami and sweetness, tend to convert into components that cause bitterness and astringency when exposed to strong sunlight. However, in Wazuka, the morning mist envelops the tea fields, gently softening direct sunlight, which helps to retain the umami within the tea leaves. The temperature variations created by the terrain and the resulting morning mist. The unique natural environment of Wazuka itself cultivates a cup that is mellow, rich in umami, and low in bitterness. =========================================== **[Tea Leaf Storage Instructions]** - Unopened tea leaves should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity. For long-term storage, seal the tea in an airtight container and freeze it. Before opening, allow it to return to room temperature to maintain quality. - Once opened, transfer the tea to an airtight, light-blocking container, store it in a cool, dark place, and consume it as soon as possible (ideally within one month). Tea leaves easily absorb odors, so avoid storing them near items with strong fragrances.