Yanagi Style Sencha (Harney & Sons)

Wednesday is Green Tea, White Tea, Rooibos, Oolong and Tisane (Herbal) Review Day!

Japanese Sencha has many a style and flavor profile. Some are very grassy and bold. Others are light and sweet. One of my all-time favorites is the Yanagi style sencha which many say resembles the “needle” like leaves of the willow tree. Leading to it’s nickname “willow tea.”

The loose dry leaves of this Yanagi style sencha from Harney & Sons are extremely thin, needle-like leaves which very closely resemble those of a willow tree, thus leading to this tea’s nickname of “willow tea.” The liquor (color) brews a very very light green, almost clear.

The Yanagi style sencha has a lightly grassy aroma, notes of a subtle sweetness and a hint of something which reminds me of morning dew. Although, that could be my mind making me think of willows, which are one of my favorite trees which just so happen to grow in areas which you’ll commonly find mist or dew.

Moving on. This tea’s flavor is very closely matched with its aroma. Lightly grassy, every so slightly vegetal and with a tail which hangs around a bit long for such a light green tea. I often find myself pausing a bit longer between sips just to savor this tea’s extra subtleties protracted by the finish.

I would recommend this Japanese green tea to fans of lighter Chinese greens such as a Pi Lo Chun. Also fans of any Sencha should find this tea a refreshing alteration from their normally stronger routine.