Mie Organic Sae Akari Sencha

This Sae Akari Organic Sencha is a kabusecha from Mie Prefecture, offering a smooth, savory-sweet experience. The aroma brings to mind creamed corn, while the taste has a comforting corn chowder-like savoriness, balanced by fresh vegetal notes and a lingering, gentle sweetness. It’s not drying; instead, the natural sweetness spreads across your mouth, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

Developed in 2012, Sae Akari is a cross between Z1 (a strong, disease-resistant variety) and Saemidori (known for its excellent tea quality). It grows more vigorously than the more commonly-grown Yabukita and produces tea that is bright, clear, and naturally sweet, with deep umami and little to no bitterness—perfect for kabusecha and gyokuro.

What is Kabusecha?

Kabusecha (かぶせ茶) means “covered tea”—it’s a sencha that is shaded before harvest, but for a shorter time than Gyokuro (about 14 days instead of 20+ days). By shading the plants, Kabusecha mimics the natural growing conditions of wild tea plants, which thrive in dappled sunlight. This boosts the tea’s sweetness and umami while keeping sencha’s refreshing edge. This results in a tea that’s both smooth and complex, without overwhelming bitterness.

Though Uji is famous for tea in Japan, many Uji teas are actually grown in Mie (also in the Kansai Region) and processed in Uji. Mie’s mild climate and coastal environment make it a hidden gem for high-quality tea production.

How to Brew

• Water Temperature: 165°F (74°C)

• 5 grams of tea leaves in a 180-200 ml kyusu or teapot

• Steeping Time: 35-40 seconds for maximum sweetness

Since this is a more delicate Japanese tea, you don’t need to rinse the tea before brewing. Even if you accidentally over-steep it, you won’t get any bitterness—just a little more dryness. Although its not the easiest tea to brew in terms of maximizing its sweetness every time, it is more forgiving than other senchas where oversteeping usually results in a very bitter tea.

If you’re looking for a sencha that’s a little different, Sae Akari Organic Sencha is worth a try. Its corn-like sweetness and savory depth make it stand out from more traditional Japanese senchas. Smooth, rich, and easy to drink, it’s a unique take on sencha that’s both comforting and refreshing. Give it a try and see what makes it special!