Sencha Tamaryokucha | Yabukita Ichibancha - Option: 500 g

Tamaryokucha 玉緑茶 is a type of Sencha, which literally means "curly green tea." Tamaryokucha is grown and harvested the same way as straight-leaf sencha, and it's processed the same way, except for the very end of the teamaking process, where the leaves are rolled to make them curly. This tea is known under two names. The second name is "guricha" which also means "curly tea," with "guri" being the name of a curly design pattern seen in traditional Japanese architecture and crafts (see the bottom photo below). Guricha is a quite unique kind of Sencha, which is made only in Shizuoka and Kumamoto prefectures these days.

Since guricha originally aimed to be a competing product to be exported to the Soviet Union and East-European countries in 1930s, the growers intentionally made its looks similar to Chinese-style pan-dried green teas, which were very popular in these countries at the time. Guricha also has flavors that remind you of Chinese green teas in its refreshing pan-dry aroma, light and soothing taste and weak astringency.