Mie Organic Tobikkiri Shincha

Mie Organic Tobikkiri Shincha comes from Mie Prefecture (三重県, みえけん) in Japan’s Kansai region — an area known for clean, soft-tasting teas. Mie ranks among Japan’s top tea regions, just behind Shizuoka and Kagoshima, thanks to its misty climate, fertile soil, and wide temperature swings between day and night. These growing conditions help the tea leaves build a smooth, layered umami.

What makes this tea special is the Tobikkiri (とびっきり) cultivar — a new and rarely produced sencha cultivar I discovered on my recent sourcing trip. In Japanese, “とびっきり” means “exceptional,” and this name fits perfectly. The leaves are carefully grown and processed to show off the pure, sweet character that makes this small-batch lot so unique.

This tea is both Kabusecha and Shincha. Kabusecha (かぶせ茶) means “covered tea.” Growers shade the tea bushes for about one to two weeks (less than gyokuro but more than regular sencha) before harvest. This step balances the brightness of Sencha and the depth of Gyokuro, giving Kabusecha a vivid green liquor, gentle aroma, and a mellow, rounded sweetness.

Shincha means “new tea” — the first fresh harvest of spring. So when you enjoy a Kabusecha that’s also Shincha, you’re getting that fresh, lively spring character along with the mellow sweetness that shading brings out.

BREWING INSTRUCTIONS:

You 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.

For a creamy, sweet cup: Brew at 145°F (63°C) for 90 seconds to 2 minutes.

You’ll taste a sweet edamame-like savoriness and umami, with a clean, floral finish. The texture and flavor is creamy, like sweet milk.

For a brighter, refreshing cup: Brew at 165°F (74°C) for 30–40 seconds.

The tea keeps a soft, savory note but is lighter and fresher, with a more subtle floral finish. It still has a clean, silky mouthfeel, but with lighter umami and more freshness.

For later steeps: Try the second or third infusion with 185°F (85°C) water for 25–30 seconds.

This brings out a fresh, gentle vegetal sweetness and a subtle, clean floral hint.

No matter how you brew it, you’ll taste a sweet, light, and very clean cup — a perfect example of Mie’s careful organic tea growing and the special character of this rare Tobikkiri Sencha. If you like Sencha that’s light, sweet, and easy-drinking, this is one is for you.

Notes: edamame, subtle florals, sweet milk