The tea-growing region near Shizuoka, Japan is well-known for its high quality Kabuse production. Kabuse Sencha is a shaded green tea, similar to the more well-known Gyokuro. The shading of the leaves before harvest conditions the plant to preserve a more delicate and sweet flavor. By blocking out as much as 85% of sunlight the leaves come out tender with a larger surface area for flavor release and packed with chlorophyll. Leaves are typically harvested in late May and maintain good quality for a year.