{"title":"Shincha","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\"Shin\" means new, and \"cha\" means tea. Shincha, often called the first flush tea, is made from the tea picked during the first harvest in the spring. The first harvest of the year, usually from April to May, produces the highest quality tea in Japan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[***]\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"shincha\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/shincha2022.jpg?v=1650325138\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is so special about shincha?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDuring the winter the tea plant goes dormant and slowly pulls nutrients from the soil. The first leaves of the season are rich with these nutrients, including amino acids and catechins. These enhance the flavor and aroma of this first-harvest tea. Shincha has a bright, luminescent green color, strong aroma and pronounced sweetness. For our shincha we use tea leaves from specially contracted tea farmers and process it as little as possible to maintain its freshness. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"clear: both;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAre most of your teas made from shincha?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eYes, most of Den’s Tea teas will be made from shincha - the first flush tea. So, any tea—sencha, gyokuro, matcha, kukicha, genmaicha…etc. could be shincha as long as it’s the first flush tea, however we normally call it shincha only if it is first flush SENCHA that is released right after its harvest in April and May. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"clear: both;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is different between shincha and regular sencha if they are both made from the first flush leaves anyway?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/chatsumi2.jpg?v=1615317679\" alt=\"green tea filed\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe key difference is in the roasting process. There is a roasting process to produce most types of Japanese tea. This process not only adds a nutty flavor to the tea, but also takes out the moisture so that the quality of the tea lasts longer. But the roasting process might erase the grassy or marine aromas that are also an appreciated by Japanese tea enjoyers. For our shincha, we roast then as little as possible to preserve more of the natural, grassy flavor. This is done only for seasonal s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ehincha since we assume that it will be consumed shortly after purchasing. We recommend that you consume shincha within a month of arriving at your door. You may see that the tea has degraded in its quality the longer you keep it. This is because the moisture level of shincha is higher than regular sencha. Thus, shincha tastes fresher and has an especially natural flavor that is rare for a sencha to have. That’s why we import our seasonal shincha via air shipment. Whereas our regular sencha has calmer, more matured flavor, shincha is a little \"younger\" in its overall profile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"clear: both;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow is Hashiri Shincha different from Hachiju-Hachiya Shincha?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe difference has to do with the harvest time and steaming process. Hashiri Shincha is harvested and produced between April 20th to 25th, whereas Hachiju-hachiya Shincha is produced and harvested from May 1st to 5th.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"clear: both;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDen’s favorite way to brew shincha\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWe recommend using 160°F water and infusing for 90 sec. Lower water temperatures (\u003cspan\u003e160°F or lower)\u003c\/span\u003e provide an umami mouth feel and mellow, verdant flavor. However, you can also brew with hotter water, say 200°F for 45 sec. Pushing the tea like this results in a wild, grassy flavor and a bright, uplifting body feel. We recommend you try brewing it both ways. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"clear: both;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShincha Trivia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/mouji2020.jpg?v=1615317786\" alt=\"shincha\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e When you brew shincha you may notice what looks like white dust on the surface of the infused liquid. It's actually not dust at all, but a substance that grows on new buds and leaves called \"mouji\". Mouji shows up only on very young buds and tea leaves. It protects the new growth from the sun and insects and also helps maintain moisture and temperature. Mouji disappears when tea leaves are so mature that they no longer this protection. Mouji in your cup is safe to consume and proof that your shincha is made from young buds and leaves. We like to think that mouji is gif\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003et of Mother Nature! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hashiri-shincha-fukamushi","title":"Hashiri Shincha Fukamushi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHashiri\u003c\/em\u003e means the \"first (harvest or catch) of the season\" and our Hashiri Shincha is just that: it is the first of the first flush teas. It is made from the very young leaves and buds of the tea plant. This year's \u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003eHashiri Shincha Fukamushi is a made of Asatsuyu cultivar tea leaves. This cultivar has a taste that is similar to gyokuro.\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003eThe tea was grown in Chiran. Chiran sits near the southern tip of Kyushu in Kagoshima prefecture and has a\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003emild subtropical climate that is perfect for growing tea. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003eAfter cupping the \u003cem\u003earacha\u003c\/em\u003e (\"rough tea\"), we found a production style that we felt suited this tea well. The fukamushi steaming of this tea highlights the rich color that Asatsuyu leaves can provide. Steaming in this way also helps to produce a soft, bright aroma from the brewed leaves that reminds one of the sun gently rising over the horizon on an early spring morning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e: Chiran, Kagoshima\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHarvest\u003c\/span\u003e: First flush\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCultivar\u003c\/span\u003e: Asatsuyu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDen's Preferred Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaf-water ratio: 2-3 g (~1 tsp) per 4 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater: 160°F; Steep: 90 sec\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2nd Cup\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water: 180°F; Steep 30 sec\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecial note: The flavor profile of Shincha is best experienced using bottled or filtered water.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptional Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also brew with hotter water, say 200°F for 45 sec. Brewing this tea brings out a lot of more the astringent, grassy notes strong. This is another way to experience the terroir of the tea. We recommend you try brewing it both ways.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Den's Tea","offers":[{"title":"2 oz (56 g)","offer_id":46286404649175,"sku":"1120-2001","price":23.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 lb (454 g)","offer_id":46286404714711,"sku":"1120-2002","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250502-005_e7c29b9a-9ef6-4a35-b9fd-f943eb9aee32.jpg?v=1756840189"},{"product_id":"hashiri-shincha-fukamushi-copy","title":"Hashiri Shincha Asamushi","description":"\u003cp\u003eHashiri means the \"first (harvest or catch) of the season\" and our Hashiri Shincha is just that. It is the first of the first flush teas. It is made from the very young leaves and buds of the tea plant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003eHashiri Shincha Asamushi is a tea produced in the basin of the Warashina River. It is a Honyama tea with a long history among tea-producing areas in Shizuoka. The Warashina River is a clear, rapid stream with abundant underground water. The mountain tea fields along the river are shrouded in mist, and compared to tea in the plains, the tea leaves are thinner and have a vivid green color. The big temperature difference between day and night and the soil rich in minerals are also reasons why Honyama tea is known as a famous tea producing area. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003eThe taste is elegant and gentle, with a refreshing and unique aroma. This aroma is also called the \"scent of the mountain\" and is one of the major characteristics of Honyama tea. This is a natural high-quality tea producing area created by Mother Nature. The tea produced in Honyama area is characterized by its rich aroma and deep, clear taste.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e: Honyama (Warashina), Shizuoka\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCultivar\u003c\/span\u003e: Yabukita\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDen's Preferred Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaf-water ratio: 2-3 g (~1 tsp) per 4 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater: 160°F; Steep: 90 sec\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2nd Cup\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water: 180°F; Steep 30 sec\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecial note: The flavor profile of Shincha is best experienced using bottled or filtered water.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptional Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also brew with hotter water, say 200°F for 45 sec. This way, the wild grassy flavor comes on strong and you experience the entirety of the terroir in your cup. We recommend you try brewing it both ways.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Den's Tea","offers":[{"title":"2 oz (56 g)","offer_id":46286485651671,"sku":"1120-1001","price":23.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 lb (454 g)","offer_id":46286485684439,"sku":"1120-1002","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250502-004.jpg?v=1756840188"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/collections\/67316de7287743a8d07748e6e4c07667.jpg?v=1666223187","url":"https:\/\/denstea.com\/collections\/shincha.oembed","provider":"Den's Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}