In Japan, the cherry blossom marks the arrival of spring, and people go out to picnic under the trees for a few days of petals. Sakura Impérial captures its fragrance: a high-quality sencha green tea, scented with Japanese cherry blossom, which Mariage Frères describes as a great fragrance. It is a scented green tea, and a house classic among Japanese teas.

Sencha is the most widespread green tea in Japan, a leaf steamed as soon as it is picked, which keeps a bright colour and a fresh, vegetal taste. The declared composition is green tea and cherry flavouring, with possible traces of nuts. Caffeine is low. The house’s Jardin Premier label appears on this tea.

The liquor is clear, a yellow green, and the scent of cherry blossom is intense: floral, slightly almond, with that sweetness reminiscent of Japanese sakura pastries. Beneath, the sencha keeps its fresh grassy character and a touch of umami, and the whole is delicate, fruity, and free of bitterness if the infusion time is respected.

It is drunk during the day, plain, at lunch with Japanese food, raw fish or rice, or in the afternoon with a mochi, a financier or red fruits. Infused then chilled, it makes a floral iced tea that is much appreciated in spring.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and three minutes of infusion, no longer. Sakura Impérial is weighed and packed to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from 5 g samples up to a kilo, in a bag designed to preserve its aromas. Store it in an airtight container, cool and away from light.