Brewing Instructions

Water Temperature:  175-185 for hot brewing; cold water for iced tea
Water Quality:  Best with Spring Water
Amount of Leaf (per 6 fl oz water):  1 tsp. (3 grams)
Steep Time: 1 to 3 minutes; 15 minutes for cold brewing.
Number of Infusions: 3

Our Sakura Sencha may be prepared in a standard teapot, tetsubin, or in your favorite mug or lidded gaiwan. For best results, we recommend that you pre-warm your vessel, and place 3 grams of leaf per 6 oz of liquid, before infusing with 175-185 degree water for 1 to 3 minutes. As with all green teas, most Japanese green teas can be infused at least three times.  Increase the time and temperature slightly with each subsequent infusion. Experimenting with your own temperatures and steeping times is encouraged, especially with such a forgiving tea. Cooler temperatures and shorter times yield more mellow, fruity elements, while hotter water and longer times produce more floral and full-bodied complexities. Always use the best-tasting water you can find, and adjust steeping times, quantity of leaves, and water temperature to your personal preferences.

Sakura Sencha actually makes a delicious iced tea! Add cold water and let it steep in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.  I like to use our new Aisne Filter in Bottle for this. After brewing for 15 minutes I decant the tea and refill the bottle, making a second brew which I leave virtually all day.  It just gets better the longer you leave it!

We highly recommend brewing your tea in a teapot or mug with a removable infuser so that you can remove the leaves at the end of the steeping time. Whole leaf teas of this quality need room to unfurl and expand in the water in order to perform their "magic." If you don't have a removable infuser, you can brew the loose leaves directly in the pot. At the end of the steeping time, pour all of the tea into a warm serving pitcher or pot.