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Sencha Superior Zenkouen

Sencha Superior Zenkouen

$27.00
$49.00 $27.00
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🍃 Pesticide free

🇯🇵 Directly sourced from Japan

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Learn all the secrets of the Sencha Superior Zenkouen

The Sencha Superior Zenkouen is a sencha superior green tea from Shizuoka, with a smooth, steamed vegetable flavor and a light citrusy finish

Taste

Discover the results of Nio Teas’ 4 step tea tasting method

To evaluate the flavor of the Sencha Superior Zenkouen we look for a combination of the aroma and also how the tea interacts with the palate. Does it produce a dryness, acidity, minerality, sweetness or umami? We’ll also evaluate the texture of the tea, otherwise known as mouthfeel. Finally, for sencha tea, we’ll evaluate it based on how vegetal the taste profile is as this is a common characteristic throughout most sencha teas. 

Step 1 - Observing the Appearance

The sencha superior Zenkouen has a darker color to it and the leaves are broken down into smaller pieces.

Step 2 - Assessing the Aroma

The aroma coming off the sencha superior is light and citrusy, with a hint of this tart berry flavor.

Step 3 - Tasting the Tea

This Sencha begins with a mild, slight cereal notes, and finishes with a bit of citrus, lemongrass and straw. The tea is dry and slightly astringent, without being bitter. You may notice a tiny bit of puckering on your palate not detracting from the drinkability of the tea, but rather enhancing it. The finish in the first steeping is light and mouthwatering, without lingering much more than 5-10 seconds.

Step 4 - Evaluating the sensation on the palate

The mouthfeel of this sencha superior tea is on the thinner side, but it still has a strong physicality to it, with mild acidity and a good minerality. This tea really quenches the palate and leaves it with a refreshing finish.

100% Organically grown and Ethically Sourced

At Nio, we collaborate with tea farmers who share our commitment to organic farming practices and avoid the use of harmful pesticides or chemicals. We firmly believe that this natural approach to farming not only elevates the flavor of our teas, but also contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the tea fields.

After visiting dozens of tea farms, we have observed that tea plantations that embrace organic farming methods cultivate tea plants that are healthy and flavorful. Additionally, these farms foster a vibrant ecosystem that supports a diverse range of plant and animal species, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance. We are proud to support and promote such sustainable farming practices in our pursuit of exceptional teas.

Nio Teas Unique Organically grown sourcing process

  • We conduct thorough taste tests to identify the ideal flavor profile for each tea. 
  • We establish open communication channels with farmers to learn about their organic and chemical-free farming practices. 
  • We also conduct on-site inspections of tea plantations to assess the quality of crops and manufacturing facilities.
  • We take into consideration the surrounding ecosystem of the tea plantations and make sure other plant and wildlife species are able to flourish 
JAS Japanese Agriculture Standards logo

JAS Certified

At Nio, we are dedicated to sourcing teas that meet the highest standards of sustainability and quality. Our Sencha Superior Zenkouen, among others, proudly bears the JAS logo, indicating compliance with the stringent Japanese Agriculture Standards. These standards prohibit the use of pesticides and chemicals in tea cultivation, ensuring that our teas are produced in an environmentally responsible manner.

For larger tea farmers, we require them to possess the JAS certification, which is obtained through thorough soil sampling and analysis to ensure their teas meet our strict criteria.

We also understand that smaller tea farmers may have limited resources for extensive soil testing. As part of our commitment to supporting sustainable practices, we accept the "pesticide-free" label from smaller tea farmers, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their teas while upholding our commitment to sustainability and excellence.

How to prepare the tea

To prepare this Sencha Superior Zenkouen, you can use a lower temperature water and a shorter brewing time. This should be more than enough to extract plenty of flavors from the tea leaves without releasing too much of the bitterness.

  • icon of a teapot with temperature brewing instruction in degree for 60 degree celsius and 140 degree fahrenheit

    Step 1

    First, heat the water to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be the perfect temperature for this Sencha Superior Zenkouen

  • icon of 5 grams of tea leaves

    Step 2

    Add 5 grams of the sencha superior tea to your kyusu teapot and then pour in 150ml of the water you heated previously.

  • icon of a teapot with time brewing instruction of 1 minute

    Step 3

    Allow the tea leaves to brew in the water undisturbed for 1 minute, which should be enough time for the tea leaves to open up and release their flavor into the water.

  • black icon of a cup of tea

    Step 4

    After the brewing time is up, you can pour out your sencha and the teapot will automatically filter out the leaves so they don’t end up in your cup. Enjoy your tea!

  • icon of a teapot with time brewing instruction of 20 seconds

    2nd brew

    Don't throw away your tea leaves just yet! There is still plenty of flavor left to be had. The sencha superior tea can be brewed 2-3 more times. To reinfuse the tea leaves, simply pour additional hot water into the teapot and allow the leaves to steep for 20 seconds.

  • icon of glace of matcha latte with ice cubes

    Cold brew

    We do not recommend cold brewing the Sencha Superior Zenkouen

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Necessary teaware

To brew up a delicious cup of this sencha superior tea, we recommend you invest in a kyusu teapot. Specifically, you may want to use the Fukamushi teapot, because it has a circular mesh filter that makes it easier to sift out the tea leaves as you pour.

Alternative without teaware 

If you don’t have a teapot at home, we recommend you brew your sencha superior green tea is a tea strainer. This is not quite as good as the kyusu teapot, but at least it will separate the tea leaves as you pour so they don't end up in your cup!

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Masuda tea farm in japan

Location of production and farmer

Information about the farm

When we first met the farmer, Yoshimitsu Masuda, he gave us a tour around his tea field just as the sun was beginning to go down. We saw two Serow, a type of wild Japanese goat, grazing on the tea field. One of the positives about these organic tea fields is that they are not only great for growing tea plants, they can also support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Because these other plants were able to grow around the tea field, larger animals such as Serow and wild pigs are able to feel at home in this habitat. It is good to know that this farmer is able to produce not only great tasting tea, but also a healthy ecosystem!

map with the location of shizuoka tea fields in Japan

Sourced in Shizuoka

Japan

This sencha superior Zenkouen is made in Shizuoka, on the small farm of Zenkouen in Hamamatsu. In November of 2019 we got to see the farm of Zenkouen and were impressed by the sustainability methods used by the farmer. The tea field is full of life, with a diverse array of plants and animals able to coexist along with the tea plants. The farmer uses a type of fertilizer made by combining charcoal with seashells and various other composted ingredients. This allows him to create nutrient rich soil, without introducing unnatural elements to the tea field.

Cultivar and tea plant variety

The Sencha Superior Zenkouen is made from the Yabukita cultivar, the most common tea plant variety in Japan.

  • Yabukita

    Yabukita is the most popular type of green tea in Japan, making up 75% of total tea production. It is a tougher variety, which allows it to withstand the colder temperatures of Shizuoka. The flavor is exactly what people look for in a Japanese green tea, with a strong umami and steamed vegetable flavor.

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Free Worldwide Shipping & Delivery

We offer free shipping on all orders, and we strive to use the most cost-effective shipping carrier for your country. For customers in the U.S and E.U, you can expect your order to arrive within 5-7 days, while customers outside these regions may receive their orders in approximately 10 days. If you need your order to arrive faster, we also offer expedited shipping options for an additional fee, depending on the destination country.

Order issues

If you encounter any issues with your order, please contact us immediately via email at info@nioteas.com, as this is our preferred platform for handling customer service inquiries. For quick questions, you can also reach out to us via direct message on Instagram at @nio_japanese_green_tea.

Payments

To provide you with convenient payment options, we accept all major credit cards, Paypal, and Apple Pay. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, simply select the appropriate option at checkout, and we will provide you with further instructions. Your order will be shipped once payment has been successfully processed.

Returns & Refunds

At Nio, we are committed to ensuring that every customer has a positive tea experience. If you are unsatisfied with the tea you receive, please reach out to us, and we would be happy to send you a replacement. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we will do our best to make it right.

Sencha Superior Zenkouen learning plateform

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