KAZUO
Premium Organic Kabusecha
Description
2026 First Harvest
From our beloved Tsuru family, the artisans behind KAZUYA Sencha and KAZUHIRO Gyokuro, KAZUO is a premium Kabusecha that reveals a richer, more indulgent side of its brothers.
Crafted from the same cultivar as KAZUYA, the leaves of KAZUO were shaded for a longer period of time, and offer a deeper and more concentrated tasting experience.
Its pronounced umami and rounded natural sweetness unfold into a remarkably smooth, buttery mouthfeel, reminiscent of delicate shortbread, with hints of hazelnut. Each sip brings a beautiful balance of richness and refinement, while its pale golden liquor offers a subtle visual elegance.
Bridging the freshness of Sencha and the depth associated with Gyokuro, KAZUO is an invitation to discover another dimension of the distinct tea-making approach from the Tsuru family. Rich in umami, naturally sweet, and delicately buttery, KAZUO is a tea to savor slowly.
Information
Net Weight: 50gHarvest: 2026Origin: 100% Japanese tea from SagaQuality and type: Premium Kabusecha Organic: Yes Special Farming Products Certification from Saga PrefectureCultivars: Asatsuyu, Yabukita Conservation: 1 year unopened Optimal tasting: within 6 weeks after openingBrewing Instructions
 |
Tea for 2 6g to 8g (0.21 – 0.25oz) |
| Water180ml / ~6 fl oz |
 |
Temperature60°C to 70°C (140 – 158F) |
 | Time2min on first brew, 1min on second brew |
Tasting Guide
Aromatic Profiles
BODY
N/A
FLORAL
N/A
VEGETAL
N/A
FRUITY
N/A
ROASTED
N/A
NUTTY
N/A
WOODY
N/A
GRASSY
N/A
TSURU KAZUYUKI
The Tsuru Cha En plantation was founded in 1959 by the father of the current business owner, Tsuru Kazuyuki san. Since Tsuru san took over the operations in 2007, the tea production has switched to a 100% chemical and pesticide-free process. In 2017, they received the Special Farming Products Certification from Saga prefecture. Today, Tsuru san is one of only four green tea producers in Kyushu, along with Irie san in Yame, who grows tea in a completely pesticide-free manner, bringing him 'above' organic standards.
Tsuru san explains: "More than 80% of our tea trees are over fifty years old. Our constant care and pruning have allowed their roots to go deep in the ground, and benefit from all the advantages of a soil rich in nutrients. The trees absorb large quantities of minerals, making them resistant to insects and illness, even without the use of any pesticides. We grow our leaves in a pesticide-free environment, in a location high in the mountains, where a large temperature difference and deep mists make it possible for the leaves to create the nutrients that will yield a sweet and umami-rich tea."
