SENCHA SAEMIDORI MASATAKA OTA 2024

“Another green tea gem produced by the living legend of Tenryu teas, Ota-San”

Producer: Mr. Ota Masataka. Born in 1940, Mr. Ota is a farmer decorated numerous times by the Japanese government for his contribution to the history of Japanese tea.

Altitude: 400 m

Location: Tenryu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Cultivar: Saemidori is a cultivar of Japanese green tea. It was developed and registered in Japan in 1990. "Saemidori" literally means "fresh green", which reflects the bright, fresh color of the leaves of this cultivar.

Saemidori is mainly used to produce high quality tea, including sencha and gyokuro. It is appreciated for its fresh aroma, its mild flavor and its pronounced vegetal character. The leaves of Saemidori are a bright, shiny green, which visually sets them apart from other tea cultivars.

This cultivar is grown in different regions of Japan, but it is particularly associated with Kagoshima Prefecture, where it is widely grown. Kagoshima's climatic conditions, with its abundant sunshine and rich soils, are favorable for growing Saemidori.

Due to its delicate flavor and growing popularity, Saemidori has become one of the most popular Japanese green tea cultivars, both in Japan and abroad.

Harvest date: Manual harvest April 2024

Quantity produced: 8 kg

Preparation tips: Infuse this tea in a small teapot, ideally between 10 and 20cl. Place 5g of leaves in the teapot, cover with lightly mineralized water heated to between 65 and 70 degrees, wait 40 seconds, and serve.

The Plantation: The plantation is located in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, in land with spectacular views of the Tenryu River. This region benefits from a pure atmosphere and the mountains are bathed in morning and evening fog, contributing to the good growth of the tea plants. Where it rains very regularly, even during dry periods. The tea plants are planted on a slope, which allows for excellent drainage, creating a perfect environment for the development of the tea plants.