Tasting Notes: floral, honey, cherry, malty sweetness, hint of stone fruit

Description: A seasonal, limited-edition Japanese black tea delicately scented with real sakura cherry blossoms and preserved leaves. Sakura Black (Wakoucha) is crafted from hand-harvested Japanese black tea and blended with sakura leaves and petals, creating a tea that is both distinctive and refined.

Wakoucha is a stunning example of the rarity and elegance of Japanese black teas. It brews to a clean amber-red hue, with a soft floral aroma and natural notes of honey. The flavor is smooth and well-rounded, offering a malty sweetness layered with subtle floral notes, a touch of chrysanthemum, and a hint of stone fruit on the finish. The preserved sakura leaves lend an additional floral lift without overpowering the tea’s natural character.

This is the first Japanese black tea we’ve offered in our 14-year history. While Sakura Sencha may be more familiar outside of Japan, this cherry blossom Wakoucha is a tea worth discovering, particularly for black tea and oolong enthusiasts.

Production of premium Wakoucha is extremely limited. The best leaves are harvested in summer, when tea plants face the most environmental stress, resulting in a tea with remarkable depth and complexity. Large quantities are difficult to source, making this tea a true seasonal treat.

Cherry blossoms in New York typically bloom from mid-April through May, making this the perfect time to enjoy this tea at its peak. Available for a limited time only.

The preserved cherry blossom leaves in this tea are prepared with a touch of sugar, following Japanese tradition, to gently preserve their flavor.

Ingredients: Black tea, preserved cherry blossom leaves (cherry blossom leaves, sugar), cherry blossom petals