{"product_id":"mie-organic-terakawawase-shincha","title":"Mie Organic Terakawawase Shincha (2026 Harvest)","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery spring, tea lovers in Japan eagerly wait for \u003cstrong\u003eshincha\u003c\/strong\u003e—the \u003cstrong\u003every first harvest \u003c\/strong\u003eof the new tea season. It's prized for its\u003cstrong\u003e fresh, lively character\u003c\/strong\u003e from all the nutrients the tea has been storing since the winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shincha comes from \u003cstrong\u003eMie Prefecture\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of Japan's largest tea-growing regions. Nestled between mountains and the sea, Mie's misty mornings, fertile soils, and large swings between warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for producing Japanese green teas with a \u003cstrong\u003esmooth texture \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e soft sweetness.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this tea especially unique, though, is the cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTerakawawase\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of Japan's rarest tea cultivars. Originally selected from \u003cstrong\u003enative Uji tea plants \u003c\/strong\u003eby tea breeder \u003cstrong\u003eTerakawa Toshio\u003c\/strong\u003e in Kyoto, it wasn't created through modern crossbreeding like many well-known cultivars. Instead, it was carefully chosen from naturally grown seedlings and later officially registered in 1990.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was originally developed for producing \u003cstrong\u003etencha\u003c\/strong\u003e—the shaded tea used to make matcha—but only a small number of growers continue to cultivate it today for sencha (Japanese steamed green tea). Even in Japan, \u003cstrong\u003eit's considered a rare cultivar\u003c\/strong\u003e, with limited production that often sells out before the next harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cup is wonderfully soft and comforting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Terakawase Shincha starts with notes of\u003cstrong\u003e edamame \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e soft mochi sweetness.\u003c\/strong\u003e The texture is \u003cstrong\u003esmooth, gentle\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003esurprisingly creamy\u003c\/strong\u003e, like \u003cstrong\u003esweet cream\u003c\/strong\u003e. There's also an airy marshmallow-like sweet aftertaste, making each sip feel delicate yet satisfying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of our favorite things about this tea is how it changes throughout the session. \u003cstrong\u003eIncrease the water temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e for the second or third infusion, and a \u003cstrong\u003efresh floral character begins to emerge\u003c\/strong\u003e, revealing an entirely different side of the tea while still maintaining its softness and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy exploring uncommon Japanese cultivars or simply want to experience a side of shincha that few tea drinkers have the opportunity to try, this rare Terakawawase is a wonderful place to start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBREWING INSTRUCTIONS:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can brew this tea in a few ways to enjoy its different sides. Use 5 grams of leaves with a 180–200 ml Japanese teapot\/kyusu, or hohin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eFor a soft, sweet cup: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrew at 165°F (74°C) for 30–40 seconds.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e165°F (74°C) for \u003cstrong\u003e30–40 seconds\u003c\/strong\u003e to highlight the tea's creamy sweetness and comforting character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor later steeps: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTry the second or third infusion with 185°F (85°C) water for 25–30 seconds. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIncrease the water temperature to \u003cstrong\u003e185°F (85°C)\u003c\/strong\u003e and steep for \u003cstrong\u003e25–30 seconds\u003c\/strong\u003e to bring out brighter floral aromas and a fresh spring character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eNotes: Sweet Cream, Edamame, Mochi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tea and Whisk","offers":[{"title":"1-oz Sample","offer_id":49944725291251,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 oz","offer_id":49944725324019,"sku":null,"price":12.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 oz","offer_id":49944725356787,"sku":null,"price":18.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":49944725389555,"sku":null,"price":23.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 oz","offer_id":49944725422323,"sku":null,"price":33.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 oz","offer_id":49944725455091,"sku":null,"price":56.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/9486\/0322\/files\/mie-organic-terakawawase-shincha-2026-harvest-5855076.jpg?v=1784615048","url":"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/mie-organic-terakawawase-shincha","provider":"Tea and Whisk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}