Okuyutaka sencha

Kumaen Okuyutaka Sencha - Yame, Fukuoka

A uniformly green, clean brew, full umami and silky mouthfeel – the precise work of the Kumaen family's mountain plantations meets the expressive, balanced character of the Okuyutaka cultivar. An everyday top-quality sencha that brings the deep sweetness typical of the Yame region.

Origin & producer

• Producer: Kumaen (Yame, Fukuoka) – multi-generational family tea farm
• Cultivar: Okuyutaka (late ripening, high umami potential, lower tannin sensation)
• Region: foggy mornings, large daily temperature fluctuations; clean, sweet profile typical of Yame senchas
• Processing: gentle steaming (often asamushi), careful twisting and drying

Taste and aroma profile

• Aroma: sweet-umami vegetable notes (edamame, steamed spinach), nori/kombu, fresh grass
• Taste: deep umami, creamy sweetness; green almond, milky/creamy nuances with a delicate freshness
• Body & finish: medium-full, smooth sip; long, sweet-mineral aftertaste

When do we recommend it?

For both morning focus and afternoon relaxation. Okuyutaka is a clean, reliable “comfort-sencha”: stable umami, little bitterness, harmonious sweetness.

Preparation instructions

Asian (kyusu/gongfu) method

• Equipment: Japanese jug (kyusu) 120–200 ml
• Tea: 5–6 g
• Water: 70–75 °C (soft water is preferred)
• 1st pour: 60–80 sec.
• 2nd–3rd pour: 20–40 seconds, then gradually increase
• Tip: Creamier and more umami at around 70 °C, fresher and greener at 75 °C.

Western method

• Equipment: 300–350 ml cup or jug ​​with strainer
• Tea: 3–4 g
• Water: 75–80 °C
• Soaking: 1:30–2:00 minutes; 1–2 shorter infusions can be made from the same batch

Cold brew

• Ratio: 8–10 g/liter
• Time: 6–8 hours in the refrigerator
• Result: a silky, very low bitterness, sweet-umami drink with fresh green tones

Tips & Pairing

• Water: soft, low TDS (≈20–80 ppm) enhances umami and clarity
• Food pairing: lightly salty snacks (nori, toasted seeds), fresh goat cheese, rice balls (onigiri)
• Storage: Protect from light and odors, airtight; keep refrigerated after opening