Yamane-en: 2023 First Flush Yutaka Midori Fukamushicha from the Village of Ei, Kagoshima 揖宿頴娃 Yamane-en

Delicious fukamushicha, or deep-steamed tea, from the Village of Ei in Kagoshima Prefecture. Together with the Villages of Chiran and Kawabe, the entire region is known as the Chiran region producing world famous Chirancha (Tea from Chiran). The first flush tends to be characterised by an excellent balance between delicate flavor and reasonable pricing, a gem hiding quietly waiting to be discovered. 

About the cultivar: Yutaka Midori (ゆたかみどり) means abundant green in Japanese. It is a cultivar that is mostly found in Kagoshima prefecture (30% cultivated area) as it is a cultivar that is suitable for warm weather. This cultivar ranks second after the Yabukita cultivar with respect to cultivation area and popularity in Japan. While producers often mix the Yutaka Midori with other cultivars, a single cultivar tea will give a deep green color with a balanced astringency and sweetness and pleasant fragrance.  

Product Info

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Harvest: April
• Region: Ei Village, Ibusuki District, 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.