This exquisite Shincha sencha was made with the Sōfū cultivar, a flavenol-rich Japanese tea cultivar which loosely translates as "Green Wind". Sofu or Soufuu was first created in 1977 and is a cross between Yabukita and another cultivar known as "Inzatsu" 131, which is of Indian Assamica origin.
The cultivar was registered in 2002 and is now known as Japanese tea cultivar #49. Shincha, which means “new tea” is the term used to demark Japan's first flush and is one of the most eagerly awaited teas each season since it heralds the begginging of the new tea season.
You'll find traditional Shincha taste which combines the freshness of spring, with strong flavor and a slight trace of bitterness. Shincha stands apart because of its vivaciousness. Highly recommended and a must for this time of year. You'll find this tea withstands an unusually high number of additional steepings.
Sofu has a distinguishing floral aroma that is reminiscent of jasmine, research has shown that this is due to its anthranilic acid content. This flavenol-rich cultivar has recently become popular due to the purported wide range of potential health benefits that are continuously being studied including possibly being beneficial for type 2 diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer's diseases.
Sofu also contains a high amount of the component quercetin, which is believed to improve cognitive function in the brain.
Origin: Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
Harvest: Ichibancha (Spring) 2022
Color of liquor: yellowish green
Aroma: floral, marine, shellfish
Flavor: green vegetables, dense, iron, bitter-sweet
Temperature: 72-75º c
Steeping Time: 1min; 40 sec; 90 sec
