Yamasan Kyoto Uji Sakura Black Tea

The sakura (cherry blossom) flavor in this tea is surprisingly subtle and delicate—think gentle floral notes rather than a bold cherry flavor. Most people describe it as having a light, rose-like quality with natural sweetness. It's fragrant and aromatic without being overwhelming, which makes it easy to drink. Just know that the flavor is nuanced rather than in-your-face floral.

This is actually quite beginner-friendly! The natural sweetness means you don't need to add honey or sugar to make it enjoyable, and the delicate flavor profile isn't too adventurous. It's forgiving to brew—people have had success using tea bags, French presses, and traditional methods. That said, tea enthusiasts also appreciate it for blending experiments and the ability to get multiple infusions with proper brewing.

It's quite versatile! While it works beautifully as a hot tea where you can really appreciate the aromatic qualities, people have also enjoyed it cold-brewed and even mixed with other teas. Some creative folks have even used it for cocktail infusions. The floral notes come through nicely in different preparations.

There's some variation in how people experience it. Most reviewers find it pleasantly sweet and delicate, but one person did mention a bitter note that took some getting used to. This might come down to brewing technique—steeping too long or using water that's too hot can bring out bitterness in any tea. Start with shorter steep times and you'll likely get that sweet, floral character everyone raves about.

One reviewer did mention the quantity feels small for the price point, which is fair—this is a specialty Japanese tea with actual sakura leaves blended in. You're paying for quality and a unique flavor experience rather than bulk quantity. If you're curious about sakura tea or looking for something special rather than an everyday workhorse tea, the amount should give you plenty of cups to decide if it's your style.

The sakura flavor is delicate by nature, so gentle brewing is key. Use water that's just off the boil (around 195°F) and start with a 2-3 minute steep. You can always go longer if you want more intensity, but you can't undo bitterness. If you have a Gong Cha tea set, you can get multiple infusions out of the leaves, which actually helps the subtle floral notes develop across steepings.