Kagoshima

Kagoshima is the southernmost part of the island of Kyushu, Japan. Spring “springs” earlier in Kagoshima than in the northern tea regions. The first fresh teas come from this area. This is an early-season tea, so it has high levels of amino acids, giving it a good body for a Sencha. The tea fields have been flattened and straightened so that large tractors may be used to harvest the tea. Sometimes quantity is more important than quality in teas from Kyushu. Our friend Tsuyoshi looks for the best teas from the region. Asatsuyu tea is included in this blend, which is called a natural Gyokuro because of its mellow sweetness.