2026 Organic Sencha Zairai
Our Sencha Zairai has a refreshing floral aroma reminiscent of jasmine, accompanied by a clean, crisp finish that is distinctly different from shaded teas. This tea offers a bright and refreshing fragrance and aftertaste that beautifully express the character of unshaded zairai tea. We do not harvest our Zairai Sencha every year, but this year the young shoots looked exceptionally promising, so we decided to make a limited harvest.
Zairai refers to tea plants grown from seeds rather than single cultivar. A single Zairai field thus contains tea plants with diverse genetic backgrounds, which gives rise to a layered, nuanced tea that reflects the land it comes from. In contrast, most modern tea cultivars are propagated from cuttings and consist of genetically identical plants of a single cultivar, making Zairai tea fields incredibly rare.
This 2026 first-flush sencha comes from our cherished tea field beside Hakusan Shrine, located just steps away from our d:matcha storefront.
Tasting Notes
This Zairai tea offers a floral yet refreshingly green aroma, reminiscent of jasmine blooming in a meadow. Despite its pleasant astringency, it is never overpowering, and a gentle hint of umami adds depth and balance to the cup. The result is a beautifully harmonious sencha with both freshness and complexity.
Zairai tea is not necessarily known for its intense umami, but it offers a depth and complexity of flavor that cannot be found in single-cultivar teas. As a natural blend of diverse genetics, it expresses a unique character shaped by generations of adaptation to its local environment.
However, because the individual tea plants have different growth habits and characteristics, zairai fields are more difficult to manage. In recent decades, many of these seed-grown tea gardens have been replaced by easier-to-cultivate clonal cultivars, making authentic zairai tea increasingly rare and precious today.
How to Brew
First Brew:
- Add 1 tbsp of sencha into your kyusu.
- Pour boiling water into your yuzamashi. When the water is approximately 60°C to 70°C, gently pour 100ml into your teapot.
- Let the tea leaves steep for 1 1/2 mins.
- Pour the brewed tea in. Ensure the tea is poured till the last drop.
- Enjoy!
Second Brew:
- Pour 100ml of 80 degrees Celsius water into your teapot.
- Enjoy immediately!
Third Brew:
- Add 100ml boiling water to your teapot.
- Enjoy immediately!
How to Store
Keep your sencha stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from humidity and light. For best freshness, store in the refrigerator and consume soon after opening. For more information on storing sencha, check out this video!
