Kirari 31 | きらり31 – 50g
Original price was: $21.00.$19.00Current price is: $19.00.
Quintessential Shizuoka Fukamushi with a rare cultivar twist.
Fukamushi (deep-steamed sencha) has become the most popular style of sencha in Japan today. Originally developed in the 1970s in the plateau regions of Shizuoka—where tea leaves are exposed to strong sunlight and tend to become thick and sharp in flavor—the method uses longer steaming times to mellow and soften the taste. In Shizuoka, the birthplace of this style, nearly 70% of tea is now produced as fukamushi. While this style produces mellow, easy-drinking teas, it also tends to round out the distinctiveness of each tea, often resulting in similar-tasting profiles.
We were searching for something different—something that stands out in the world of Shizuoka fukamushi. And that’s where Kirari 31 comes in. Registered as a cultivar in 2016, Kirari 31 is still rare and prized for its rich umami and bright fruity-citrusy aroma. Though the leaf appearance is that of typical fine fukamushi, the way its flavor unfolds is notably distinct from the ubiquitous Fukamushi made with Yabukita. Its character emerges more gently—milder, with almost no astringency, lingering sweetness, and a silky, rich mouthfeel.
Tea Profile
Category: Sencha
Steaming Level: Deep Steamed (Fukamushi / 深蒸し)
Blend Status: Not blended
● Single cultivar
● Single estate (The tea leaves come from a single farm)
Cultivar: Kirari 31 / きらり31
Origin: Mori, Shizuoka
Elevation:
Harvest: Late April 2025 (First Flush)
Harvest Method: Machine-harvested (ride-on tea harvester)
Cultivation Method:
Awards: Japan Tea Awards 2022 – Platinum Prize
Sourcing Information
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This tea is sourced from a tea refiner in Shizuoka.
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The tea refiner procured crude (unrefined) tea leaves directly from the production farmer and applied the final refining processes to make it ready for us.
What is a tea refiner?
A tea refiner is a company led by seasoned tea professionals—often referred to as tea masters, or Chashi (茶師) in Japanese—who possess deep, hands-on knowledge of both tea farming and consumer preferences. With finely tuned senses and a discerning palate developed through years of experience, they tirelessly seek out and procure high-quality teas, whether directly from farmers or through tea markets.
Tea refiners, especially those based in production regions like Shizuoka, actively build relationships with local growers and often work closely with them. Through processes such as final firing, sorting, and blending, refiners enhance the flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the tea—bringing out its full potential.
While they may appear to be just wholesalers, each tea refiner has a unique philosophy, a preferred flavor profile, and distinct strengths. These differences are reflected in the final taste of the tea, adding another layer of uniqueness on top of the tea’s original characteristics, such as cultivar and terroir.
Brewing Instructions
Hot Brew
Tea / Water Ratio: 3-4g / 100ml
Temperature: 170°F (77°C)
Steeping Time: 1 minute
References
What Is Fukamushi Sencha? (Idle Moment)
Overview and characteristics of deep-steamed sencha.
The Charm and History of Shizuoka Tea (Yamamotoyama)
Shizuoka’s leading role in Japanese tea production and deep-steamed tea.
A Brief History of Japanese Green Tea (Shunpou)
Cultural and historical background of Japanese green tea.
How Fukamushi Tea Was Born (Note by Minoru Handa)
Personal essay on the origin and development of fukamushi tea.
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Kirari 31 | きらり31 - 50g
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