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Sencha Karigane
Matcha Organic

Name: Organic Sencha Karigane Matcha
SKU: 4142-bio
Price: 14.90 EUR
Availability: InStock

Sencha/Karigane 90/96 P.

SKU

4142-bio

Our revitalising Sencha Karigane, finished with high-quality Matcha Ikkyu (Super Premium). Mineral, many amino acids, full umami-matcha flavour, delicately sweet. 200g

Our premium Sencha Karigane with a high proportion of stems (80%)
Finished with high-quality, ceremony grade Matcha Ikkyu (100% 1st harvest, granite stone mills in Uji)
Pronounced umami flavour
Refreshing, stimulating

Character	Refreshing, revitalising, pleasantly sweet, pronounced umami, slightly mineral, thirst-quenching
Tea Garden	Nuruki Seicha, renowned organic tea farm in the Chiran terroir
Terroir	Chiran + Kirishima, Kagoshima (prefecture), Japan
Harvest	Sencha Karigane: 1st harvest (ichibancha), mid-April to beginning of May, 2024 Tencha: 1st harvest (ichibancha), beginning of May
Cultivar	Sencha Karigane: Blend of Yabukita and Okumidori as well as other southern cultivars, approximately 80% stems and 20% leaves Matcha: Matcha Ikkyu Organic
Elevation	160m and 670m above sea level
Steaming	Short (asamushi, approximately 30-40 seconds with increased distance from steam outlet)
Shading	Shaded for approximately 5-7 days. Shading technique: jikagise
Organic Cert.	EU certified organic, JAS organic
Laboratory Tests	Radioactivity (Region 11/2019)
Grade	96/100 p. (karigane category); Super Premium 95/100 p. (matcha-iri category); Super Premium 90/100 p. (sencha category); Premium

In stock

The fields of Nuruki Seicha are located in the shadows of Kaimon Mountain (開聞岳) in southern Chiran, not far from Mt. Sakurajima. The Nuruki family has cultivated tea for over 20 years according to organic standards and comprehensive cultivation methods. We at Sunday Natural hold the Nuruki family's dedication to tea in high regard. Yuichiro Nuruki is the third generation of his family to run the farm. His father succeeded in converting the tea farm into an organic farm in the late 1990s, when agriculture in Chiran was still predominantly characterised by conventional cultivation methods. This was a challenging endeavour, particularly in the beginning. At first, the Nuruki family was ridiculed for their attempts to convert to organic farming and avoid the use of pesticides, and they had little experience or help with the transition. Yuichiro Nuruki's father, however, was not intimidated and today the Nuruki Tea Factory proudly produces premium organic teas that are notable for their strong character and nutritional benefits.

Flavour

This karigane is custom-made for Sunday from the stems and leaves of our premium Sencha Chiran and Sencha Kirishima, and finished with our high-quality Matcha Ikkyu (Super Premium). Refined karigane are not to be compared with generic kukicha (stem tea). Karigane is only made from the stems of authentic, premium sencha from the first harvest. The high ichibancha quality, the blend of yabukita and full-bodied southern cultivars, the short period of shading, and not least the volcanic soil make for a very aromatic yet mild tea with many amino acids. With the addition of Matcha Ikkyu, the tea develops a refreshing and revitalising character. The flavour is delicately sweet, yet retains its mineral quality. A delightful thirst-quencher.

Matcha Ikkyu

The prize-winning tencha farmer attaches great importance to the use of bioactive fertiliser that he produces himself via a years-long fermentation process. This fertiliser contains special complexes of bacteria and minerals that can be easily absorbed by the roots of the tea plants. As a result, the tea plants grow stronger and produce leaves with a correspondingly richer taste. This ikkyu has a naturally earthy taste with light mineral notes (mountain character and special fertiliser) as well as a pleasant umami flavour with very little bitterness.

Leaf

Fine, delicate karigane stems, powdered with matcha

Cup

Vibrant, deep green

Sencha is by far the most commonly cultivated and consumed green tea in Japan and constitutes the backbone of Japanese tea traditions. The leaves are typically steamed for 10-60 seconds, dried with hot air, churned, and via a multi-staged process rolled into flat needles. The flavour profile of sencha is very diverse and varies between sweet, fresh and grassy to robustly bitter. The region of cultivation as well as quality of the tea play a significant role in determining flavour.

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements. Likewise, the regions of Japan from which we source our teas are tested for radioactivity for every harvest.

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation & Processing

Organic cultivation since 1998, using three-year matured and fermented natural compost from a rich mixture of natural substances, including bamboo powder and mineral-rich rock. Additionally, fertile volcanic soil and large amounts of ash fly across the farm from the active volcano Mt. Sakurajima. Tea leaves are washed before harvesting in order to remove volcanic ash. The farmer then processes the tea using high quality, traditional bamboo rolling and drying machines.

Matcha Ikkyu

The best organic matchas in Japan, besides Uji and Hoshino, come from the top region of Kirishima in southern Kyushu. We obtain the tencha directly from Kirishima's leading organic tencha farm, which is well-known in Japan. For the Matcha Ikkyu, we select only the highest quality of the 1st harvest leaves, and have them ground specially for us in Uji, in one of the top granite stone mills in Japan. This guarantees the best possible preservation of nutrients, as well as an excellent texture and creaminess and the full development of the flavours.

Single Origin

This tea is exclusively sourced from the above mentioned tea farms in Chiran and Kirishima. Sourced directly from the tea farmer.

Organic Certification

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2 heaped tsp per 200-300ml (55-60°C) water. Steep for 2 minutes. Suitable for several infusions.

Packaging

High quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination.

Recommended Teapot

The ideal teapot for this tea is a violet banko kyusu with a fine ceramic strainer, which can best bring out the taste of the fine amino acids. Alternatively, a black tokoname kyusu can be used, which serves as a suitable all-rounder for green tees.

Recommended Storage

Ideally store in a quality tea caddy made from cherry tree bark (wooden, kabazaiku chazutsu) or an airtight, double-coated metal tin.

Test results

We find it very important that our teas are pure and produced in a way that respects the environment. For this reason, each one of our teas is tested for pesticide residues by an independent laboratory, the results of which can be found here. Some of our teas are also tested for specific nutritional compounds, in which case the test results are also published here.

See tests

Sencha Karigane
Matcha Organic

Tea Farm