Tamaryokucha Curled Green Tea
Curled leaf, fruity-grassy notes and soft umami from Ureshino, a tea town in Saga.
Tamaryokucha, the curled-leaf green tea of Kyushu, is a sibling of sencha with a soft, sweet character. This Ureshino version tastes of steamed greens, soft umami and a sweet, fruity edge. Brewed in a kyusu at 80°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 32 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 13.3 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Kyusu Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Curled Leaf |
| Water temperature | 176°F / 80°C |
| Target brew time | 0:45-1:15 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf green tea
- 240 g filtered water at 80°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 80°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 1:20Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 32 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Curled leaf needs room
The leaves unfurl as they steep, so use a roomy pot and pour with a gentle hand. Cramped leaf brews unevenly.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Tamaryokucha, the curled-leaf green tea of Kyushu, is a sibling of sencha with a soft, sweet character. This Ureshino version tastes of steamed greens, soft umami and a sweet, fruity edge. Brewed in a kyusu at 80°C.
Origin & Story
Sencha is rolled into needles. Tamaryokucha is not. The name means coiled green tea: the leaves skip the final rolling and curl into small commas, which also earns the tea its nickname guricha, curly tea.
Its home is Kyushu, and above all Ureshino, a tea town in Saga Prefecture. The story is that in 1440 a Ming dynasty potter from China settled in Ureshino and began making tea for his own use, and that in 1504 another brought the Nanjing-style pan that began the tradition of pan-firing tea in Japan. Ureshino tea has been a registered regional trademark since 2002, for tea grown in Saga or Nagasaki.
Most Ureshino tea today is steamed, in the same way as sencha, and the great majority of its curled tea is of this kind. Steaming gives the cup its fresh green taste, which this one shows as steamed greens and a sweet finish.
In the cup the tea is golden green and soft, with fruity-grassy notes, soft umami and a long, sweet finish. Tamaryokucha is sensitive, so keep it well off the boil: about 70°C for two minutes, or 80°C for about a minute. This page uses 3 g of leaf for 240 ml at 80°C and a steep of about a minute.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 74/100 |
| Acidity | 28/100 |
| Bitterness | 20/100 |
| Body | 52/100 |
| Aroma | 92/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Tamaryokucha Curled Green Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 32 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Tamaryokucha Curled Green Tea?
Target 80°C (176°F).
How long should Tamaryokucha Curled Green Tea be extracted?
Timing: 0:45-1:15. Method: Kyusu Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Curled Leaf.
What is the difference between tamaryokucha and sencha?
Both are Japanese steamed green teas, but sencha is rolled into thin needles, while tamaryokucha skips the final rolling and is left curled like commas. Tamaryokucha usually tastes a little tangier and fruitier, with a longer, almondy finish.
What does tamaryokucha mean?
It means coiled green tea. Tama refers to a ball or jewel and, here, to the coiled shape of the leaf. The tea is also called guricha, or curly tea.
Who should avoid Tamaryokucha Curled Green Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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