28 May 2022

Shincha is the first, fleeting flush of Sencha green tea, heralding new growth and the arrival of spring in Japan. Shincha is celebrated for its scarcity and superbly Spring-like taste, with the sweetest floral notes, underpinned with subtle seaweed. To echo the spirit of celebration, we’ve created a special jelly that complements the nature of this tea, and adds an effervescent note of champagne. 

Shincha Gyokuro Pairing

Serves: 6 – 12
Duration: 15 mins, plus setting overnight

Shincha Gyokuro Pairing – Elderflower and Champagne Jelly

Ingredients:

  • 5 Leaves of Gelatine 
  • 1 Bottle of Champagne 
  • 100ml Water 
  • 30ml Good Quality Elderflower Cordial
  • 75g Caster Sugar 

Method:

  1. Soak gelatine leaves in cold water and set aside 
  2. Dissolve sugar in pan with 100ml water, plus a glass of Champagne 
  3. Drain gelatine leaves and squeeze to wring out excess water 
  4. Stir into the pan until dissolved 
  5. Allow to cool before slowly adding the remaining Champagne and elderflower cordial 
  6. Decant into 6 long Champagne flutes, or divide into other glasses of your choice – you can make the jellies stretch quite far if you would prefer them to be smaller 
  7. If you like, you can add fresh raspberries or fresh elderflower blooms if you can find them (they are in season from mid May to July and it is best to pick them when the sun has been shining on them, so that the blooms are fully open. Remember to give them a rinse first.)
  8. Place jellies in the fridge overnight to set, or in the morning ahead of an evening soiree
  9. Serve alongside small cups of warm Shincha Gyokuro to truly admire the harmony between them. The slightly saline note of seaweed complements the minerality of Champagne, while the elderflower only further enhances the florality of the aromas of this tea. Raise the glasses of both to toast, as Shincha is only here for a short while and should be savoured much in the same way as a good Champagne.

Notes

These jellies will keep surprisingly well over a number of days, though the top layer will set harder as time passes. It is best to enjoy them within three days, if you can resist them that long.

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Shincha Gyokuro Green Tea Leaf Infusion