Enshi Yulu vs Sencha

Enshi Yulu

Enshi Yulu is one of the few Chinese greens fixed with steam like Japanese sencha, from Enshi in Hubei. The cup is deep green and brothy with a savory umami body, fresh steamed-vegetable notes, and a clean mineral finish. It is often compared to gyokuro, though it is shade-free and less intense. The steam-fixing keeps the leaf color vivid and the taste brisk and fresh.

Sencha

Sencha is Japan's everyday green tea, made by steaming the leaves to lock in a vivid green color. The cup is fresh and grassy with a pleasant vegetal depth, a gentle sweetness, and a clean, slightly brisk finish. Higher grades from the first harvest (shincha) add a softer, more umami-rich body. It pairs naturally with food and handles a second steeping well.

Enshi Yulu

Water temperature

70–80°C

Leaf to water

3g / 250ml

Steep time

1–2 min

Re-steep

2–3 times

Sencha

Water temperature

70–80°C

Leaf to water

3g / 250ml

Steep time

1–2 min

Re-steep

2–3 times

Enshi Yulu

Medium caffeine — roughly 20–40 mg per brewed serving

A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.

Sencha

Medium caffeine — roughly 15–35 mg per brewed serving

A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.

Enshi Yulu

China · Hubei (Enshi)

Enshi Yulu is produced in the Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture of Hubei.

Sencha

Japan · Shizuoka

Shizuoka is Japan's largest tea-producing region, with Uji and Kagoshima also famous for sencha.