Shizuoka Nagatsumata Sencha

Nagatsumata Sencha from Hiraoka Shoten is a masterpiece from the mountainous tea-growing region of Shizuoka that won a silver medal at the prestigious Japanese Tea Selection Paris competition. After being harvested, this unique green tea undergoes a 12-hour withering process, which gives it an exceptionally deep and sweet character with pleasant floral notes.
A beautifully processed, dark emerald-green dry leaf composed of tiny, smooth needles. The aroma of the dry leaf is intense and intoxicatingly sweet, with notes of a freshly mown meadow and a subtle floral undertone.
The light green, sparkling infusion offers a full-bodied, rounded, and velvety-smooth flavor with minimal bitterness. It is dominated by a pronounced fruity sweetness, a hint of umami, and a long-lasting, clean, refreshing aftertaste with a touch of meadow honey.

How to prepare Sencha tea

Use 5 grams of tea leaves for 0.5 litre of boiling water cooled to 75–80 ᵒC, steep for 60 seconds. Infuse the second infusion for 30 seconds and the third for 60 seconds. Feel free to experiment with steeping time, water temperature, and the amount of tea leaves. You can also read our articles on tea preparation and water quality. These tea leaves are also suitable for Asian-style preparation, which includes multiple infusions: you steep 5 grams of tea leaves per 150 ml of water that has boiled and cooled to 70–75 ᵒC for 20 seconds and in the following three infusions, you steep the leaves for 10, 40, and 50 seconds, respectively. You can also try steeping the leaves in lukewarm water at 37 ᵒC for 7 minutes, or in slowly melting ice.

Tea Origin

This tea comes from the Tamakawa mountainous area in the traditional Honyama region of Shizuoka Prefecture. The local tea gardens are situated on slopes at an elevation of approximately 300–500 meters, where cool mornings, frequent fog, and significant differences between day and night temperatures create ideal conditions for the slow growth of tea plants and the development of a rich aroma.
The producer is Hiraoka Tea, a family-owned company founded in 1956. Today, it is run by brothers Yuta and Kota Hiraoka, who carry on the long tradition of tea cultivation in the Tamakawa region. In addition to collaborating with local growers, they also cultivate their own tea gardens and produce teas that faithfully reflect the character of the mountainous Honyama region.

Region of Origin: Nagatsumata Mountain District, Tamakawa Area, Shizuoka, Japan

Harvest: April 2026