Previously from Tezumi, I reviewed their lovely matcha. Today I have a rare sight, a black tea from Japan! Honyama Koushun Wakoucha is a 2021 harvest, and like its namesake, Koushun cultivar, from Honyama, Shizuoka Japan.
Leaf and Steeping Method
Interestingly, Tezumi recommended brewing style for this Japanese black tea is gongfu style at 4g per 100ml (1g per 25ml) in boiling water. I will follow just that.
Honyama Koushun Wakoucha’s leaves have a strong fruity scent like gummy fruit snacks. After a steep, the tea smells like cherry gummies and wood – quite similar to a Taiwanese Ruby 18 black tea.
Tasting of Tezumi Tea’s Honyama Koushun Wakoucha
First, Second, and Third Infusion: Honyama Koushun Wakoucha brews up beautifully ruby and clear.
This tea is smooth, fruity yet crispy sweet – it has a meld of sweet potatoes and dark fruits with a sharp cherry wood flavor. The fruity notes are like that flavor of a center of black cherry with a bit of pit and stem. Some sips have a herbal green flavor. The aftertaste is a mellow cherry pit flavor all the while having a silky texture.
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Infusion: The flavor is quite consistently fruity and woody, but now has a bit of dryness and oak boards. Honyama Koushun Wakoucha’s dryness is quite light, just the roof of the mouth. The last steeping is dry but sweet and minerally.
Lazy style: With an extended steeping style with leaves in, Honyama Koushun Wakoucha starts off with more buttery sweet potato and caramel. Some sips are cherries, but the main shift is sweet potato. After a refill of water and it is more astringent to crack the roof of my mouth.
Comments
Honyama Koushun Wakoucha is an excellent fruity smooth black tea that’s sweet, easy to drink and brew, and comforting. There is some dryness in later infusions, but it is never bitter. I preferred it gongfu style but lazy was great as well!
If you love fruity sweet black teas, check this one out – I was pleasantly surprised as my experience with other Japanese black/white/oolong teas has all been unpleasant and bitter. Tezumi has a couple of other Japanese black teas too.
(tea provided for review)
