Fukamushi Sencha Kaoru was definitely one of my most anticipated teas this year. With my first tastes of this fukamushi coming in shincha season, I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Background of Fukamushi Kaoru
Although this fukamushi is a recent offering from O-Cha.com, in many ways, it appears its purpose is to fill the shoes of the previously existing Fukamushi Supreme. From the Shizuoka prefecture, this sencha is the embodiment of deep steamed tea.
The incredibly crumbly leaves are a medium shade of green. The vendor recommends using a specifically designed teapot to handle fukamushi to brew this tea. That’s sound advice, but I would also consider any kyusu with a stainless steel wrap filter or large oval to be compatible with this tea.
Brewing
Fukamushi Sencha Kaoru is relatively easy to brew. The temperature is somewhat forgiving, and the overall parameters are really easy to tailor to your exact taste.
I’ve found a temperature slightly on the hotter side will result in a flavour with livelier grassy notes.
Pouring a fukamushi like this can be a challenge depending on your teapot. The fine tea particles can clog your filter. To remedy this, most people suggest beginning your pour with your kyusu tilted on a 45 degree angle. As the pour slows, roll your teapot to be tilted at a 45 degree angle the other way. Then, as that slows, roll the kyusu to the centre. This should evenly distribute the leaves against the filter.
Thoughts and Observations
The colour of this tea is a nice, rich shade of green. The aroma is wonderfully grassy, as is the flavour. Although this tea is billed as having a medium level of astringency, I find it exhibits a lighter amount when brewed under these parameters.
Fukamushi Sencha Kaoru is definitely a stellar tea. But what’s more is that it is probably the most clear and classic example of deep steamed sencha. Priced nicely, I would recommend any fan of Japanese greens to give this tea a try.
Later Infusions
Second and third infusions of this tea, as with any fukamushi, require extremely short infusion times. In fact, for the second infusion, you want it to be instantaneous. That’s right, a zero second infusion time. The third and forth would increase with 20 – 30 second increments.
This image is of the second infusion. The brew is so opaque, the green is in the realm of matcha.
would you say this is the best fukamushi cha?
Hmm, well for one, I can’t say it’s the best as I have not tried every fukamushi out there 😛
However, choosing my words carefully, I would say it is the best example of a classic fukamushi that I’ve tried. That’s not to say I think it is the best fukamushi out there (I think some lighter ones may be more tuned to my taste) but it’s certainly a quality product nonetheless 🙂
Hi Griff,
Without trying to, you’ve convinced me to give this tea a try. Do you still stand by the instantaneous second steep? In the forums, you mentioned 10 seconds to a poster. Looking for more grassiness and sweetness and less bitterness and astringency.
Also, how many grams per 125 ml would you recommend?
Thanks,
François/Consola
I’m glad you’re willing to give it a try 😀 Fukamushi Kaoru is exactly what you’d expect from a hardcore fukamushi. Super grassy, a little astringent, and strong in flavour. Though I don’t think there was much sweetness in this sencha…
Did I suggest to someone a 10 second steep for this tea? I must have misspoke as I do stand by the instantaneous second steep.
I didn’t have a scale at the time of this review so I’m not 100% sure how many grams to suggest. I would ball park around 4.2g/125ml.
Hope this helps 🙂
Here’s the link to your post:
http://theartofjapanesegreentea.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4&hilit=Kaoru&start=170#p2802
In any case… Thank you sir, instantaneous it is! (If need be, I’ll experiment further, but I have always enjoyed your parameters thus far.)
4.2g/125ml sounds like the ratio for deep-steamed Sae Midori (4.3g/125ml is what you recommended for it)
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