LEICO
Premium Tamaryokucha
Description
2025 first harvest
An IKKYU exclusivity - for the first time available outside Japan!
Made in the town of Sechibaru, Nagasaki, LEICO is a mellow deep-steamed green tea. Its leaves are dark, glossy curls in the signature shape of tamaryokucha (also known as guricha and yonkoncha).
Great for multiple infusions, with a gentle profile and lingering sweetness, LEICO is made with the best leaves from the first harvest and finished with a rare charcoal flame technique to bring out as much flavor as possible.
The most prestigious tea of Kobayashi san, at low temperatures, it can be served like a gyokuro, with the same exceptional umami mouthfeel and soft fragrance. Still, contrary to a gyokuro, LEICO has low levels of caffeine, making it a great late afternoon treat.
To enjoy LEICO as a gyokuro, the producer recommends brewing at 50C for 1 to 2 minutes (5g per person, 8 to 10g for three people).
You can also prepare it as a regular tamaryokucha, so at 70-75C for 1 minute which will develop different notes with a subdued Umami and increase its sweetness. Enjoy a fragrant aftertaste with hints of muscat grapes.
Information
Net Weight: 100gHarvest: 2025Origin: 100% Japanese tea from NagasakiQuality and type: Premium Tamaryokucha Organic: No Cultivars: Conservation: 6 months unopened Optimal tasting: within 6 weeks after openingBrewing Instructions
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Tea for 2 8g / 0.28 oz |
| Water80ml / ~ 2.70 fl oz |
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Temperature50C / 122F |
 | Time60-120s |
Tasting Guide
Aromatic Profiles
BODY
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FLORAL
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VEGETAL
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ROASTED
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GRASSY
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KOBAYASHI TAKAYUKI
Kobayashi Seicha is located in Sechibaru, Nagasaki. This producer won the Nihoncha Award for his houjicha, and uses a special steaming process exclusive to their tea factory. Described as "steaming the core of the leaf," the Kobayashi deep-steaming method retains the shape of the leaf, while drawing out deep flavor and creating a refreshing aftertaste. This requires a good sense of which leaves are suitable to retain their shape while being deep steamed, which speaks to the artistry of the Kobayashis.
