Saemidori 2026 First Pick「さえみどり」- Premium Sencha from Kagoshima Japan 50g

2026 First Pick — Just arrived This year's first harvest from Chiran, Kagoshima — finished by Meiko Chagyo, the Shizuoka-based tea finisher we work with — has arrived in our shop. Best enjoyed by April 30, 2027. The previous 2025 batch is still available here while supplies last. Kagoshima Fukamushi (Deep steamed) Sencha: A Blissful Cup Woven from the Blessings of Sun and Earth Origin: Kagoshima, Japan District: Chiran, Kagoshima Producer: Meiko Chagyo (Shizuoka-based tea finisher) Harvest Season: mid-April 2026 Cultivar: Saemidori Steam: Deep steam Shading: around 7 days Net Weight: 50g (~16 servings) Taste Profile: Umami: ■■■■□ (4/5) Sweetness: ■■■■■ (4/5) Astringency: ■□□□□ (1/5) Aroma: ■■■□□ (3/5) Body: ■■■■□ (4/5) This year's batch: Smooth umami with a vivid, grassy aroma — more pronounced than last year. A mellow, rounded cup, and the leaves themselves show a beautifully bright green. Why This Tea Is Special "Saemidori" means "vivid green" in Japanese. But what truly sets this cultivar apart is its exceptional natural sweetness and deep umami — with almost none of the bitterness sometimes found in green tea. The deep-steaming (Fukamushi) method creates an exceptionally smooth, velvety cup. From Kagoshima's Volcanic Terroir At the southern tip of Japan, the active volcano Sakurajima has blessed the land with "Shirasu" — a light, well-draining volcanic soil ideal for growing healthy tea. Combined with the region's abundant sunshine, this terroir produces teas with a distinctly bright, cheerful character. It is this sun-filled energy that we wanted to capture and bring to you. The farmer uses Fukamushi (deep-steaming), a difficult technique requiring great skill and intuition. A little too long, and the delicate flavor is lost. But when done perfectly, the leaves soften and release their full, rich umami — creating a beautifully smooth texture that sets this tea apart. Teas to Try Alongside This One If you are ordering Saemidori 2026 from Japan, these companions make a useful first-pick and premium green-tea comparison set. Hoshino Shizuku 2026: for a deeper mountain-grown first-pick sencha from Yame Hoshinomura. Hatsuzumi 2026: for a clear, lightly steamed Sayama first-pick sencha with a different regional character. Organic Sencha Superior: for a mellow, certified-organic spring-pick sencha from Kawane. Organic Gyokuro: for a shaded, umami-led green tea brewed cooler and more concentrated.