Sencha Zairai

Grown at 500 meters in the remote hills of Kochi, this Zairai Sencha embodies the rustic charm of Japan’s older, seed-grown tea plants. Unlike modern cultivars that are propagated by cuttings, Zairai bushes are seed-grown and each one is subtly unique. Over 90 years old, these plants are deeply rooted into the mountain soil, drawing from its richness to create a tea that speaks of tradition and untamed character.

In the cup, its aroma is light and inviting, with notes reminiscent of butter cookies and cornflakes. The liquor is easy to drink—quaffable—with umami present but never heavy. Instead of intensity, it offers a natural, rustic balance: familiar, warm, and comforting.

This farmer works completely free of pesticides, a choice that allows the Zairai plants to express their individuality even more vividly. The tea is straightforward, honest, and full of the mountain air that raised it.

Sencha Zairai is a wonderful daily tea, approachable and generous in its character. Mild umami keeps it refreshing, while its comforting, grain-like undertones invite you back for another cup. It offers a contrasting experience to more polished and fragrant Sencha styles—satisfying without being demanding.

This tea comes from the same garden as our Genmaicha Zairai. Both are produced with care by the same farmer in Kochi, but they express different facets of Zairai cultivation. Consider trying them side by side for an illuminating comparison—the Genmaicha brings a different profile, while Sencha highlights the humble warmth of old Zairai bushes.