5 Great Teas of Japan Tasting Kit

Tea Maestro Bruce Richardson has put together five teas that will introduce you to flavors unique to Japan. These are just a few of the exceptional teas he discovers on his annual trips to the gardens of Shizuoka, Uji, and Kyushu.

• Sencha - This is the most popular green tea in Japan. It's steamed immediately after harvesting to prevent oxidation. Yields an exceptionally smooth and gentle cup of tea. Our Sencha is sourced from the rich volcanic soil of the southern island of Kyushu, near Kagoshima. (25g.)

• Gyokuro - This revered tea is at the top of the Japanese tea list. Bushes are shade-grown for three weeks prior to the spring harvest, which enhances L-theanine and produces a soft liquor. Grown in the organic Sakamoto Garden in Kagoshima. (12g.)

• Hojicha - Looking for a low-caffeine green tea? Japanese Hojicha is a delicious and savory green tea made from the stems and stalks that are removed from the leaves during Sencha production. It is low in caffeine because it is roasted. Grown in Shizuoka, near Mt Fuji. (25g.)

• Kukicha - This is a delicious green tea made from the stems and stalks that are removed from the leaves during Sencha production. Yields a bright yellow-green liquor. Good for multiple steepings. (25g.)

• Matcha - Our matcha is shade-grown in Kagoshima, Japan. (15g.)

• T-sac #2 infuser bags - 20 convenient one-use bags perfect for cups and mugs that allow your tea to expand while the leaves rehydrate, allowing for better water circulation as the full flavor of the tea is released into the liquor.