I stumbled upon this oddity recently.
Organic Benifuki.
"Grown in the volcanic soil of Kagoshima Prefecture, this offering is made exclusively of the benifuki varietal. Those familiar with Japanese green tea will notice a distinctive difference from standard varieties: a lighter-bodied infusion with a bright, clean taste that hints of freshly-picked leafy greens. An excellent choice for those who enjoy both Japanese and Chinese green tea."
I never heard of this strain before and it peaked my interest. I couldn't find much info around about it other than some claims about it being a natural allergy relief and mostly sold in powder form. Interesting but my curiosity is more about the whole leaf taste and not any medicinal benefits.
This states that it is a hybrid of a Chinese black tea and Assam introduced as a high grade Japanese black tea. The Ito en offering looks like it's processed as a green tea.
So has anyone here tasted this tea or other versions of the hybrid leaf?
This one is sold in Sweden. I haven't tasted it but here is a translated excerpt from a letter I got from another Swedish tea lover:
"I am enjoying Benifuki right now. A very different Japanese tea that makes me think of the Chinese Bai Mu Dan; mild, subtle, a bit sweet, but aside from this it also has a slight milkiness and a feeling of pine forest. Not my favorite but a very interesting tea."
"I am enjoying Benifuki right now. A very different Japanese tea that makes me think of the Chinese Bai Mu Dan; mild, subtle, a bit sweet, but aside from this it also has a slight milkiness and a feeling of pine forest. Not my favorite but a very interesting tea."
The noise comes from the other side of the mirror
Here is also a translated text from the Swedish shop selling it:
"Benifuki is made from Benihomare tea leaves, a varital that is low on caffeine. In the leaves there is the protein CD86 that strengthens and activates the T-cells. Benifuki is made from green tea and is rich in methyl-catechin, a substance that has anti-allergic capacities. The taste is rich with elements of honey, nuts and newly cut grass. The tea is cultivated in very small amounts and is very appreciated for its anti-allergic capacities and high quality."
In the same text it is also stated that the leaves should be boiled for 5-6 minutes. Yes, not steeped. Boiled
"Benifuki is made from Benihomare tea leaves, a varital that is low on caffeine. In the leaves there is the protein CD86 that strengthens and activates the T-cells. Benifuki is made from green tea and is rich in methyl-catechin, a substance that has anti-allergic capacities. The taste is rich with elements of honey, nuts and newly cut grass. The tea is cultivated in very small amounts and is very appreciated for its anti-allergic capacities and high quality."
In the same text it is also stated that the leaves should be boiled for 5-6 minutes. Yes, not steeped. Boiled
Apr 8th, '09, 15:42
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji