IKKI
$12 – $15
First harvest tea (2021)
Description
This high-grade kukicha or shiraore is a great offering from Nakayama-san in Higashi-Sonogi. IKKI’s bright green liquor is filled with refreshing citrus notes with hints of steamed asparagus and barley. This tea can be enjoyed throughout the day, as a nice afternoon tea, or a refreshing cold brew or iced tea.
Sweet price for a 100g bag.
Producer
Origin
100% Japanese tea from Higashi-Sonogi
Quality and Type
High-Grade Shiraore
Organic
No
Tasting Notes
Packing
Resealable vacuum bag, or aluminium bag with neutral gaz for best preservation.
Conservation
Unopened
1 Year
Opened
6 weeks
Preparation
Tea quantity
8g /0.28oz
Water quantity
180ml /6.09oz
Temperature
70C / 158F
Brewing time
60s
Reviews
Reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Tasting Guide
sweetness
A sweet-tasting tea is a very light tea that leaves a sensation of natural sweetness in the mouth.
UMami
Although there is no official translation of the word “umami”, some call it “savory taste”: it leaves a mild and lasting pleasant brothy after taste and is recognized as one of the five basic tastes (together with sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and saltiness). It also induces salivation and a furriness sensation on the tongue, stimulating the throat, the roof and the back of the mouth.
BITTERNESS
The natural bitterness of green tea comes from the way it is made. Unlike black and oolong teas, green teas are made from the unfermented leaves of the tea plant, which keeps the antioxidants intact, but also gives them the bitter taste. This bitterness can be regulated with the water temperature : the higher the more bitter and vice-versa.
CAFFEINE
Caffeine is a naturally-occurring stimulant, found in several plants. Caffeine is water soluble, and is extracted into the brewed cup when preparing tea. In most cases, tea has much less caffeine than coffee.
CATECHINS
Catechins are a type of polyphenol (EGCG) and are the main astringency component in green tea, long known as tannins. In order to release more catechins you will need higher brewing temperature at around 80 but this will also increase the astringency and bitterness of your tea because of the caffeine. Dont use such temperatures for Gyokuro.
THEANINE
L-theanine (here referred to as theanine) is an amino acid that has a relaxing, but not sedating, effect. It is renowned for its ability to put you in the ideal state of calm attentiveness. It can sharpen focus, while reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Theanine can interact with caffeine, allowing a smaller dose of caffeine to have a stronger effect in terms of boosting concentration and alertness.
ASTRINGENCY
L-theanine (here referred to as theanine) is an amino acid that has a relaxing, but not sedating, effect. It is renowned for its ability to put you in the ideal state of calm attentiveness. It can sharpen focus, while reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Theanine can interact with caffeine, allowing a smaller dose of caffeine to have a stronger effect in terms of boosting concentration and alertness.
Related Products
Related products
IKKI
$12 – $15
First harvest tea (2021)
Description
This high-grade kukicha or shiraore is a great offering from Nakayama-san in Higashi-Sonogi. IKKI’s bright green liquor is filled with refreshing citrus notes with hints of steamed asparagus and barley. This tea can be enjoyed throughout the day, as a nice afternoon tea, or a refreshing cold brew or iced tea.
Sweet price for a 100g bag.
Producer
Origin
100% Japanese tea from Higashi-Sonogi
Quality and Type
High-Grade Shiraore
Organic
No
Tasting Notes
Packing
Resealable vacuum bag, or aluminium bag with neutral gaz for best preservation.
Conservation
Unopened
1 Year
Opened
6 weeks
Preparation
Tea quantity
8g /0.28oz
Water quantity
180ml /6.09oz
Temperature
70C / 158F
Brewing time
60s
what is matcha ?
Matcha (抹茶) is a fine powdered green tea made from tencha leaves (shaded leaves) that benefits from high theanine contents. Matcha combines an elegant aroma and sweetness, and brings a pleasant state of relaxation to both body and mind. Because the leaf powder is dissolved in hot water, all of the tea nutrients are ingested, including those that are not water-soluble (vitamin A, protein, vitamin E, minerals, dietary fibers).
In Japan, matcha is enjoyed during the Tea Ceremony, according to the Sado principles. Even if you are no specialist, to prepare your daily matcha, you will need several key accessories, such as a chawan (matcha bowl), chashaku (bamboo scoop), a chasen (matcha whisk) and a kusenaoshi (chasen holder). Since 2021, our shop includes handmade chasen made in Takayama, Nara prefecture, with 100% Japanese bamboo. Feel free to browse our tea accessories section to complete or start your collection.
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"Tea is nought but this: first you heat the water,
then you make the tea.
Then you drink it properly.
That is all you need to know."
Sen no Rikyu
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John Schutt (verified owner) –
I drink this every night before I go to bed. It puts me into a nice peaceful state of mind and has actually improved my quality of sleep. The umami of this tea is wonderful and actually coats the inside of my mouth. I also get a nice floral note on the latter steep that is quite pleasant.
Mikhail Usachev (verified owner) –
Steeped this jewel as per instruction 3 times in 200 ml of water. First steeping made me kind of eye-opened, second was 30sec and had quite a mellow aroma, then third steeping for a bit more than 60sec, and after it i became as we say here calm as an elephant. Was enough quantity for 3 male elephants 🙂 As for the taste i found it a bit bittery compared to regular kukicha i used to drink.
monix (verified owner) –
I’ve been waiting for this kind of tea.So pleased to be able to cold brew.And multiple times the same amount.The taste is great and as expected.I’m very pleased that each product is described in so many details.It helps a lot as I am a beginner and need to know how to choose according to what I expect in the taste.Great job also in how you inform us about the brewing process.
Ann (verified owner) –
Absolutely incredible. Fragrant, very favourful, and very good for multiple infusions.
Diana Forero (verified owner) –
This tea is amazing. Not only does it taste great with fantastic umami (a very savory, unique flavor that my wife says tastes like chicken broth), it feels like a hug for your brain. It is absolutely a wonderful way to help you unwind and relax from all of the daily stressors you face in life. I’m so glad I found this tea.
Riley Bingham (verified owner) –
The perfect low-caffeine anytimer. As delicious as it is affordable.
Jared Ellerbrock (verified owner) –
This is a good candidate for a daily drinker, especially in the afternoon since the caffeine effect is more limited. Nice, fresh enjoyable tea.
Nichmenichyou (verified owner) –
Great for any time of the day!
Refreshing and Low caffeine.
Robert Kim (verified owner) –
This is my favorite loose tea from Ikkyu. I enjoy smelling the tea before brewing. It has the sweetest smell from any tea I know. I can probably smell in for hours 🙂 Once brewed, it still retains its sweetness. There are other wonderful flavors I taste but hard to describe. It is even better drinking at room temperature.
Daniel Wichmann (verified owner) –
Sweet, smooth and refreshing taste besides a low caffeine content; perfect for late brews. In addition, a decent price for a good amount of tea!
AnaisNin (verified owner) –
At first I did under estimate this as I had bad experience with any teas which involve ’ twig’ in them , can’t stand their astringency and bitterness but then IKKI was a game changer! Never thought that I will be liking IKKI this much!I’ve gone crazy with this refreshing, fragrant and flavorful tea !
It’s still a burning wonder why I could have lingering umami for a mere twig tea! This is my staple for late or evening kinda tea , what a delicious calming potion to unwind then get peaceful sleep at night.
k_san7 (verified owner) –
Awesome tea, I received it today, and compared to other Karigane I have tried in the past this one is superb. Delicate sweet and floral, quick delivery to UK. Thanks IKKYU.
Andysworld2020 (verified owner) –
I made only one mistake with this tea….I did not order enough!
This is quite possibly the most addictive daily tea of all of the ones on offer, I am very surprised this little gem is not more well know.
I have a new friend while I write 😊
Mateusz Lizewski (verified owner) –
Decided to try this tea to taste something else that typical Sencha. It was a great idea, the taste/price ratio is clearly unbeatable ! It’s a perfect daily tea with nice refreshing touch. Strongly recommend
iriska2903 (verified owner) –
Excellent service and delicious tea.
Casey Buckles (verified owner) –
Very delicious simple tea. the taste reminds me of the green tea i would get from the vending machines in japan. glad to always buy it.