Otsuka Green Tea Co's Award Winning Fukamushi

I got this 100g bag of Otsuka Fukamushi on sale for £10, and it was a steal. Even at its regular price of around £15, it delivers more than its money's worth for a premium deep-steamed sencha. It arrived in a proper vacuum-sealed bag, and with all instructions written entirely in Japanese, you know you're getting the authentic, direct-from-Shizuoka experience.

Now, here’s the part that really surprised me. The packaging encourages you to use hot water, and they aren't kidding. This is the first Japanese pure green tea I’ve ever had that unflinchingly handles boiling water. I tested it at various temperatures, from 70C all the way up to a fresh boil, and it never once turned bitter. This stuff is practically boiling-proof.

The taste is a distinctive fukamushi profile: a grassy base supporting a wave of rich umami that lasts from start to finish. The proof is right in the cup. Even when hit with boiling water, the brew is a stunningly vibrant, lively yellow-green. This completely opaque liquid is cloudy with fine leaf particles, giving visual evidence of the tea's full body and exceptionally smooth mouthfeel.

For those familiar with other premium brands, I found Otsuka’s offering to be cleaner and lighter than the fukamushi from Ocha & Co. The dry leaf itself is visibly more broken and finer, a processing choice I suspect is key to its near-instant infusion. This explains both its lighter body and its incredible tolerance for boiling water, positioning it perfectly as a convenient and refreshing daily drink.

While the Japanese instructions recommend a traditional kyusu teapot for handling the fine leaves, a simple basket infuser will works just fine, you just have to be prepared for a slightly messier cleanup.

For taste alone, this is a solid 4 out of 5 for me. But when you factor in the great price and its unique, foolproof brewing nature, it's a 5.