Gentle Sencha (Japanese Green Tea) by Takatsuka-san’s farm

This gentle Sencha is grown pesticide-free on Takatsuka-san’s tea farm (Danouen) in Makinohara, Shizokua. As the name suggests, this Sencha is a blend of the farm’s mild and mellow varieties.

• Net weight: 80g
• Best used by: 31 October 2024
• Origin: Shizuoka, Japan

How to Drink Sencha (enjoy more than one brew!)

• Leaves: 6g (approximately 2 spoons)
• Water: 150ml at 70°C
• Steep Time for the First Cup: 1 min
• Steep Time for Subsequent Cups: 10 seconds

Takatsuka-san suggests mixing the first and second brews together. You can cold-brew it in hot weather.

How to Cold Brew Sencha

• Leaves: 10-15g (approximately 2 spoons)
• Water: 1L
• Steep Time: 3 hours in the fridge or overnight

What is Sencha

Sencha is likely the second most known Japanese tea, following Matcha.

Unlike black tea, which is allowed to wither and ferment, Japanese green teas like Sencha undergo a process where the raw tea leaves are steamed early to stop fermentation. This step preserves the vibrant green color of the leaves. Among the various types of green tea, Sencha leaves are rubbed during the drying process to injure the leaves and to enhance their flavor.

Benefits of Sencha🍵

Did you know Sencha has these benefits?👀

• Polyphenols: Lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Have antioxidant effects that prevent cellular oxidation (aging).
• Catechins: Have antibacterial properties, help prevent colds and dental cavities.
• Smaller Amount of Caffeine: Boosts brain activity with fewer side effects than coffee, making it a great alternative.

About Takatuska-san’s farm (Danouen)

Danouen, operated by the Takatsuka family, is a small, family-owned tea farm in Makinohara, Shizuoka. Established 70 years ago by Goro Takatsuka, the farm is named “Danouen (駄農園)” meaning “no-good (駄目) farm,” a term jokingly used by a friend in response to Goro’s relentless focus on research over business. Today, it honors his passion and the farm’s dedication to quality.

Danouen’s teas are celebrated among enthusiasts and featured at Satén, one of the few cafes specializing in Japanese tea in Tokyo. The Takatsuka couple regularly travels from Shizuoka to Tokyo to participate in the Shimokitazawa market, where I first discovered their tea.