Sencha Zuiko

Tea: Sencha Zuiko
Vendor: Den's Tea
Price: $19.50 / 2oz
Source: Honyama, Shizuoka, Japan
Vendor Description: Sencha Zuiko is a top-tier Sencha grown at a high elevation under the most meticulous and pampered conditions. Its shiny dark needle-shaped green tea leaves brew into a yellowish liquid that provides a strong, thick full-bodied cup with the subtle flavor of fresh green vegetables. Den’s Sencha Zuiko offers green tea drinkers a mind-blowing experience.

Leaf: The leaf has a very deep and complex aroma to it. It is mostly uniform in color and a very dark green. The leaf has a glossy appearance and has very long needles to it.

1st Infusion: This infusion had a yellow color to it. The tea had a light and sweet aroma to it with a certain tinge to it. The flavor was light yet medium bodied. There was al ight sense of bitterness and a medium astringency. The flavor was unremarkable and light.

2nd Infusion: This infusion had a darker yellower color to it. The aroma was heavier, but still was not very noticeable. This infusion had a medium bitterness to it and a tang on the back of the mouth. There was quite a bit of astringency to it and yet it had a very thick flavor.

Rating: 3/10

Conclusion: I was rather disappointed by this tea considering it is the top tier of the Den's line. I have a feeling that it was overbrewed by standard sencha procedures though. The flavor felt like it was. The flavor was traditional, but not outstanding.