Unknown Green!

[Tea4Todd]

So, a friend of mine went to Japan a few years ago for her brothers wedding. Her brother's fiancee was Japanese and they had a very traditional wedding in Kyoto.

When she came back, she brought me a package of this Unkown Green Tea. I can read and write a decent amount of Japanese and speak it as well, but I am unable to identify this tea. I can't read enough Kanji to identify it.

Maybe some of you guys can identify for me

Here are some pictures of it and the packaging

[Tea4Todd]

The only parts I can read are that it is from the Uji/Kyoto region and the production area is Minami-Yamashiro. When I read about the Uji/Kyoto area it says that they have been producing green teas there since the 12th Century. That's pretty old, Kyoto isn't a large production area for Japanese green tea, but I read somewhere that they produce some of the highest in quality.

I just wish I could read the rest of the packaging

[Tea4Todd]

Small update as I was pondering on this, I was able to translate the Kanji in the upper right hand corner of the white paper part of the package.

It reads "Uji-sanchi-mei-cha" now, I have no idea what that means, but if I type the Hiragana converted to Kanji into google image, I pull up nothing but Gyokuro looking teas.

I hope someone on here can read this package better than me!

[Tea4Todd]

Ok, so I've posted about 2,000 times on my own post, with no other replies from anyone lol.

I have an update on what the Uji sanchi meicha part means!

It means: Uji (the region in Kyoto) Sanchi (producing area/region of production) Meicha (refined tea/fine tea/premium tea)

Still doesn't tell me what kind of tea it is though!! lol

宇治産地銘茶　- that's the Japanese script for it.

[battra]

The big kanji in the last image says "sencha" - 煎茶.

[Chip]

I hope you have used this by now, being several years old?

Judging by the photo of the tea, it does not appear to be super high grade ... lots of stems, small pieces, inconsistent color (likely blended which is pretty common in Japan). Looks like a fukamushi which is deep steamed.

[Tea4Todd]

The big kanji in the last image says "sencha" - 煎茶.

Awesome! Thank you! So it is a Sencha! I stayed up all night shuffling through my Kanji books to read what it was, I was able to read another part on the silver package in the center, in the right hand column..it translates to "Enjoy the Tasty aroma and flavor" sounds very Japanese to me! lol

[Tea4Todd]

I hope you have used this by now, being several years old?

Judging by the photo of the tea, it does not appear to be super high grade ... lots of stems, small pieces, inconsistent color (likely blended which is pretty common in Japan). Looks like a fukamushi which is deep steamed.

Unfortunately, I haven't used all of it :/ I used some last week and it tasted alright....it wasn't too astringent. It's lost a little bit of flavor and I think it's become more vegetal tasting...almost like some seaweeds from Japan. I figure I'll continue to use it anyhow, why let it go to waste right?!

[OchameTaiken]

Todd,

Your tea was a sencha. The main description for the tea reads:

"Located in the southern-most tip of Kyoto Prefecture, adjacent to the three prefectures of Mie, Nara and Shiga, amid complex and mountainous terrain, the majority of tea produced here is sencha.

This tea undergoes a relatively strong firing and long steaming for most Uji-cha, and has a characteristic body and fragrance."

[Tea4Todd]

Todd,

Your tea was a sencha. The main description for the tea reads:

"Located in the southern-most tip of Kyoto Prefecture, adjacent to the three prefectures of Mie, Nara and Shiga, amid complex and mountainous terrain, the majority of tea produced here is sencha.

This tea undergoes a relatively strong firing and long steaming for most Uji-cha, and has a characteristic body and fragrance."

Holy Awesome!!! ありがとうございます！I have been wanting to translate that for some time. Is it a specific type of Sencha? Or just Sencha? Thank you so much for deciphering my tea! I love this Forum!!

[Chip]

... like I said, most likely fukamushi ... deep steamed sencha.

[Tea4Todd]

... like I said, most likely fukamushi ... deep steamed sencha.

Yeah, I am definitely thinking that is what it is too. I'm glad you all are here to help me out. Like I said, I have a lot of mystery teas, and up until today, have never known what they were lol

[Kevangogh]

I think it's Tsuen tea. They're in Uji, they're the only one's remaining from the 12th century, and it looks like their style of bag.

[Tea4Todd]

I think it's Tsuen tea. They're in Uji, they're the only one's remaining from the 12th century, and it looks like their style of bag.

Hmmm, not sure it's Tsuen Tea. It could be, but their packaging isn't quite the same. My tea is specifically from Minami Yamashiro, it's indeed a Sencha, and I agree, most likely a Fukamushi. I just would like to know what brand it is. Does it say anywhere on the package what brand it is?

[OchameTaiken]

It would appear to be Iroku-en。

http://www.irokuen-tea.co.jp/top.html

It is written on the package just opposite where it says Yuumikouraku。有味香楽