Hello everyone, this is Keko from the online staff.
As spring unfolds, Shincha — the first tea of the season — offers us a moment to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Rather than simply drinking it, I invite you to enjoy Shincha with all five senses, embracing the experience fully.
Today, I would like to share a few gentle ways to savor Shincha through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
1. Preparing the Perfect Atmosphere
🍃 Create a Quiet Space
Shincha’s delicate fragrance and gentle taste reveal themselves best in a calm, peaceful setting.
Turn off the TV and set aside your phone.
Find a spot with natural light, if you can.
Let this be a time of stillness, not just a daily routine.
🍃 Appreciate the Beauty of the Leaves
Before brewing, take a moment to observe the tea leaves carefully.
Notice their thin, needle-like shape — a mark of fine Shincha.
Admire the deep green color, with its soft, natural sheen.
As you open the container, breathe in the faint grassy scent, full of spring's freshness.
2. Enjoying the Brewing Process
・ Savor the Scent Before the Water Touches the Leaves
Hold the dry leaves close and gently inhale their aroma.
You may notice a light sweetness, mingled with the freshness of new growth.
・ Listen and Breathe as You Pour
As you pour hot water over the leaves, listen for the quiet sound it makes.
At that moment, the tea’s fragrance will blossom — breathe it in slowly, letting it fill your senses.
・ Notice the Changes as You Sip
As the tea cools, both the aroma and flavor will gently transform.
When hot, the aroma is more vivid.
As it cools, the sweetness and umami unfold more deeply.
Take your time between sips.
Feel how the flavor lingers, softens, and changes, much like the passing of the seasons.
3. Embracing Shincha with All Five Senses
Sight – Admire the tea leaves and the gentle hue of the brewed tea.
Sound – Listen to the soft pour of water.
Smell – Notice the evolving fragrance, from dry leaves to steaming cup.
Taste – Savor the subtle layers of flavor and the lingering aftertaste.
Touch – Feel the warmth of the teacup in your hands.
By opening your senses fully, Shincha becomes not just a drink,
but a quiet, beautiful moment shared with nature itself.
Shincha reminds us that the simplest moments —
a deep breath, a warm cup, the scent of spring —
can bring us back to what truly matters.
I hope you find peace and joy in your Shincha moments this season.