Served at the 2015 Ise-Shima G7 Summit and winner of the Emperor’s Cup. Grown in carefully selected soil and shaded for about seven days, the leaves develop a mellow sweetness, rich umami, and a vibrant deep green. Because the climate can change leaf quality within hours, harvesting is done with exceptional speed and precision, only once a year in April. The leaves are steamed within 30 minutes of picking to preserve their freshness and prevent oxidation. A refined, elegant sencha with smooth umami and natural sweetness.