Tea Review: Snow-Aged Yukimuro Genmaicha with Matcha (Yunomi/Seikoen Tea Factory)

Snow-Aged Yukimuro Genmaicha with Matcha/雪室こめ茶

Seikoen Tea Factory/Yunomi
Type: Flavored Green
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture & Niigata
Product Description: 

The Joetsu region of Niigata prefecture is a region which receives one of the most heavy snowfall areas in Japan. This tea was processed in this type of climate through a process called snow-aging (description below). In this rich and toasty flavoured tea, a generous amount of matcha is blended with the delicious Koshi-hikari (rice cultivar) brown rice from Niigata and green tea from Shizuoka prefecture that has been aged in Seikoen's natural snow-cooled warehoused called a "Yukimuro" to increase its flavor. A delicious genmaicha that is unique to the snowy wonderlands of Niigata. The moment the tea enters your mouth, the umami and elegant aroma of the extracted material will spread... 

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 1-2 minutes

The dry leaves have a savory, nutty, marine green aroma.

The liquor is bright green and opaque with a savory green aroma with notes of roasted rice and nuts.  The taste is smooth and savory with no astringency and notes of roasted rice and nuts and long savory, nutty finish.

This genmaicha was deliciously savory throughout three infusions with a pleasant smoothness as a result of the aging process.  I had great results by starting with a 1 minute steep and adding 30 seconds to each subsequent infusion.  The flavor was fullest in the first infusion with the color of the liquor lightening after each infusion as the matcha was washed away.  

This tea was purchased by me.