A unique byproduct of the gyokuro rolling process, these dense ‘dumplings’ (団子 - dango) of leaves are filled with umami and can be enjoyed brewed like gyokuro, cold-brewed, or simply eaten as they are.
Uji city in Kyoto has long been at the centre of Japanese tea and has been famed for its high-quality matcha production for centuries, dating back to the 12th century. The shading method used to produce modern matcha (c. 16th century) along with sencha (1737) and gyokuro itself (1835) were all invented by Uji farmers looking to push the boundaries of tea quality. Though the name Ujicha remains associated with high-grade tea, most tea branded as Ujicha is produced in the neighbouring towns of Ujitawara, Minamiyamashiro, Kizugawa, and primarily Wazuka.
Cultivar: Samidori
Region: Uji, Kyoto
Producer: Yoshida Meichaen
Harvested: May 7-15, 2023
Elevation: 25m
Shading: 35 Days; Honzu
Picking: Hand-picked
Brewing Instructions
Meet the Producer
Yoshida Meichaen (吉田銘茶園)
Cultivar: Samidori