Guricha - Single Cultivar Tsuyuhikari

Guricha is the local name of this specialty sencha produced in Ureshino, in Saga Prefecture. It is a kind of Tamaryokucha, which is characterized by it's unique coiled comma-like shape. 'Guri' means twisted or coiled. After steaming, the leaves are rolled differently than typical sencha, resulting in this local style.

In Ureshino, the Kabuse method is so integral to the tea production process that it often goes unmentioned, as it’s considered standard practice among local tea farmers. This refers to a cultivation technique where the tea plants are covered to shield them from sunlight for a certain period before harvesting, usually for about 7 to 10 days. This process is similar to how gyokuro and matcha are shade grown, and concentrates rich flavors in the tea leaves. 

In other regions the extra steps required to make kabusecha make it something of a rarity, but this shading technique is embedded in the region's tea culture, contributing to the distinctive flavor and quality of Ureshino tea.