OrganicVegan
Ingredients: Organically grown green tea leaves
Product weight: 90g
Clearspring Organic Japanese Sencha loose-leaf tea is grown in the luscious rolling hills around Kyoto and Kyushu, areas known for their ideal climatic and soil conditions which produces some of the finest teas in Japan.
Once the leaves are picked, they go through the traditional Japanese practice, not usually found elsewhere, of steaming, rolling and drying the green tea leaves immediately after picking. This is known as the ‘Sencha Process’, which takes place within 24 hours of harvesting. It inhibits the enzyme activity that causes oxidisation and enables the tea to retain its bright emerald green leaf colour and preserve its nutritional properties and delicious flavour. When brewed, our Organic Japanese Sencha has a golden green colour and a refreshing aroma which delivers the deliciously perfect balance between astringency and sweetness. It is worth noting that most common tea varieties come from the same plant – Camellia Sinensis. The difference between each tea variant lies in the way the tea is produced and processed.
Clearspring Organic Japanese Sencha Green Tea - Light and Refreshing
Our producer, the Nagata family, abandoned modern agriculture dependant on chemicals in 1974 and has been using sustainable organic practices for decades. The expertise of our Organic tea farmers to grow and select the finest leaves and their commitment to the highest Organic standards The sloping land on which the tea plants are grown helps the water to drain and provides better ventilation, which allows for better resistance against disease The Nagata tea gardens are isolated from other tea farms which radically lowers the risks of cross-contamination from agrochemicals like pesticides. The farming methods used to encourage biodiversity and natural ‘allies’ such as spiders, lizards, mantis and ladybugs help to keep harmful insects away so that the plants are naturally protected.
The Sencha tea leaf is first believed to have been introduced into Japan in the 17th century from China. Before this, Matcha was the preferred drink of choice in Japan. Sencha grew in popularity, and to this day remains the most popular variety of tea in Japan.
This product is exempt from the need to disclose nutritional data under regulation (EU) 1169/2011.
Place 1 heaped teaspoon of tea per person in a teapot. Boil fresh water and leave to cool for a minute before pouring over the tea. Infuse for only 1-2 minutes and enjoy.
In the hills around Kyoto, the third generation of the Nagata family use special organic methods, known as Nature Farming, to produce a range of exquisite green teas for Clearspring.
The ancient farming approach used by the Nagatas builds up soil vitality by maintaining a semi-wild environment, where the plants are not overly protected and gain nourishment from repeated applications of compost made from tea clippings and dried leaves, which together with regular mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
Whilst most tea farmers spray their plants with pesticides and herbicides 15-20 times a year, the Nagatas' tea bushes have a vigour that enables them to thrive without chemical inputs.
The Nagatas' yields may be lower than average but their plants have far less mould and blight. They remain productive for up to 40 years, twice as long as the typical tea bush treated with chemicals.
As well as growing tea, the Nagatas undertake the skilful blanching, drying and roasting processes to bring out the unique flavours of each individual blend.