Fukamushi Sencha - Return of the 88th Night - Automn Limited Edition

A Journey Through Japan's Seasons in Every Cup

Discover a harmonious fusion of seasonal flavors with our deep-steamed Fukamushi Sencha - Return of the 88th Night. This unique tea is a carefully curated blend of autumn-picked leaves, known for their refreshing astringency, and the vibrant umami taste of the first flush of spring, Ichibancha. The result is a rich and layered cup that captures the essence of Shizuoka’s famed tea fields.

Fukamushi Sencha undergoes a unique deep-steaming process, a hallmark of Shizuoka’s tea production. This method, which involves steaming the leaves longer than traditional sencha, results in a deeper color, a fuller-bodied taste, and a smoother texture.

The Significance of the 88th Night in the Japanese Tea Tradition

The “88th night” of May is a pivotal date in Japan's agricultural calendar. Spring tea leaves picked during this day is not only prized for its superior flavor but also thought to bring good health and prosperity for the coming year.

Around the Autumn equinox, the air and soil temperatures mirror the conditions of the “88th night” of May. Therefore the Autumn tea leaves picked around this time is called "Return of the 88th Night" and is thought to have similar qualities as the tea of the 88th night.

Harvested Along the Historic Tokaido

The tea fields that produce our Fukamushi Sencha are located along the Tokaido Nakayama Pass, a vital section of the old Tokaido route. The Tokaido was one of Japan’s "Five Highways" connecting Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), used by travelers, merchants, and samurai for centuries. The scenic Nakayama Pass in Kakegawa City, known for its breathtaking views and challenging terrain, is also home to some of the region's best tea plantations. The fertile soil, combined with the unique climatic conditions of the Sayo-no-Nakayama area, contributes to the rich and complex flavors found in this sencha.