Tea Review: Hachijyuhachiya (88th Night) Sencha 2021 (Charaku)

Hachijyuhachiya (88th Night/八十八夜) Sencha - 2021 Shincha

Charaku
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kobayashi
Product Description:

The annual tea harvest in Japan begins 88 days after Risshun, the start of spring on the traditional Japanese calendar. Drinking tea picked on this day has always been considered auspicious and believed to bring good health throughout the year. Often reserved for family and friends, this tea has naturally limited availability. Charaku Fine Japanese Tea is pleased to offer Hachijyuhachiya Sencha this year! This Asamushi (light-steamed) Sencha from Kobayashi in eastern Miyazaki is smooth with low astringency. We hope it brings you health and good fortune this year!

Temperature: 165° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 45 seconds-2 minutes

The dry leaf aroma is sharply green and nutty with sunflower seed-like notes.

The liquor is light green with a savory and nutty aroma.  The taste is light and savory with umami, nutty, and green with sweet undertones and a long, refreshing sweet green finish. 

I followed the steeping time and temperature recommended by Charaku for the first and third infusions (2 minutes and 45 seconds, respectively) and went a little wild with a 2 minute second infusion, all with great results and no notable astringency.  Perhaps the cooler pre-autumn weather is making me sentimental because the thick, savory aroma and taste reminded me of a comforting soup broth.  The flavor in the first two infusions is surprisingly nuanced and almost delicate with fresh, spring green notes moving to the front by the third.  Results like these are why I look forward to the first (88th night) sencha harvest of the season.

This tea was purchased by me.