Shincha 2026 [Grown using organic methods]
lily of the valley, peas, citrus, jasmine
Umami
☆☆☆☆ / Astringency
★★★☆
Body
★★★★ / Firing
★☆☆☆
Cultivar and technical information
The town of Nearai is located to the north of the city of Hamamatsu, at the foot of the Tenryû mountains. This Inzatsu 131, made by Mr. Tarui, is a fukamushi sencha that is unique in its style.
Shizu-inzatsu 131 was developed in the 1940s by the famous Professor Arima, a great visionary, who left a deep mark on the world of Japanese tea. This is a variety grown from a seed from a tea tree from Assam: Manipuli 15. It is thus a cross between an Assam variety and a Japanese tea tree. It is an early cultivar with very special aromas that, perhaps because it was too far ahead of its time, never managed to become widespread, despite the work of a handful of passionate visionaries. Today, Inzatsu 131 is known for its crosses with Yabukita that have produced renowned cultivars, such as Sôfû, Fuji-kaori and Kondô-wase.
This Inzatsu 131 is grown using organic methods, in earth enriched by adding green schist from the upper course of the Tenryû River, upon the advice of Professor Arima.
After being harvested, the leaves of these Inzatsu 131 tea trees are sun-withered. They are then steamed in the fukamushi style.
The nose
The infusion gives an intense fragrance with relatively distinct, floral aromas that only Inzatsu 131 can provide. The aromas evoke small, white, lily-of-the-valley flowers and have green pea notes.
The mouth
In the mouth, the attack is very powerful. Overall, there is no umami and the astringency is very pronounced. In terms of aromas, the tea is once again very floral, is unique, and has notes that are slightly reminiscent of bergamot. This is a particularly intense sencha with a lot of persistence in the mouth. We also find a rich contrast between tannic notes and the sweet impression that then appears.
The tea easily gives four infusions, which always remain rich, powerful, and aromatic.
Summary
Here is a very distinct fukamushi. While definitely not for everyone, this is an experience for lovers of complex, robust sencha. It can be infused in a lighter manner than what is described below. But more generally, this is a tea that is worth experimenting with.
Technical description
Type of tea : fukamushi sencha
Origin : Nearai, Kita Borough, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Cultivar : Shizu-Inzatsu 131
Harvest : April 22th, 2026
