Friday March 7, 2008 | 11 comments
The twenty-something in front of me rummaged around in his knapsack. Out came a book of Japanese poetry; a rather flattened orange; a banana that was green, hard as a rock, yet strangely flecked with brown spots; a sketch pad; and finally, the object of all the searching: a 6.4 ounce solid steel container container labeled “Sencha shot.” The fine print, in both English and Japanese, declared “JAPANESE GREEN TEA.” He popped the
top and took a healthy swig.
“Let me see that,” I demanded, as only a former English teacher and speech coach can.
“It’s pretty strong,” he warned.
“I’m not planning on drinking any,” I assured him, “just want to read the label. Is this one of those pseudo healthy energy drinks?”
“Just tea and Vitamin C.” He was correct. 6.4 ounces comprised of: purified water; green tea; and Vitamin C (abscorbic acid); contains zero calories and 140% of your daily value of Vitamin C. The label boasted 152 mg of “catechin tea antioxidants” – including Epicatechin, Epicatechingallate, Epigallocatechin, and Epigallocatechingallate. “It’s an acquired taste,” he admitted as he drained the can.
“What’s the caffeine?” I asked.
“I think it’s pretty major. After all, it IS concentrated green tea,” he put the empty into a pouch on his knapsack, “but caffeine is not mentioned anywhere on the label.”
The caffeine level is mentioned on the website – 40 mg per 6.4 ounce can, or a little more than half the amount found in one of those eight ounce energy drinks. (You know, the ones named after animals, internal combustion engines or stormy weather.) Product reviews on the sencha shot vary, from “dreadful!” to “better than most energy drinks!” It has no sugar, not even any of those sneaky “sugar by any other name” gimmicks of the last few years.
What’s the appeal?
This is produced by Ito En, right? I have heard (from sencha lovers) that while it isn’t the best sencha they’ve ever had, it’s actually half-decent and pretty good compared to most RTD teas. I would guess that the people saying “dreadful” are those who don’t like straight tea.
I’m going to try to find this item. I’ll get back with my review if I’m successful. To be continued……..
My guess on the appeal factor is convenience (take it with you wherever you go, no hot water needed), and the “sexy” name on familiar energy-drink packaging would appeal to the younger, under-30 crowd. It’s very interesting that it doesn’t mention caffeine on the can itself, rather it plays up the vitamin C angle–a “healthy beverage”. I bet you can find this all over in groovy, health-oriented, student-filled Eugene!
How much does it cost?
The link above will get you to Ito En, where you can order by the case. I thought it was spendy at even that rate (after all, I am spoiled by being able to lay in a month’s supply of exquisite oolong from T Ching Store for less than fifteen bucks). The can is impressive . . . don’t try to flatten it on your forehead, ’cause the can will win. Can’t wait to read your review, Michelle!
Michelle, you probably already found this out, but just in case, the closest retailer of Sencha Shot to us is in Portland at the New Seasons stores (they may be the only ones in Portland right now, according to the Ito En website).
I don’t get the logic of only putting 6.4 ounces in something like this. Is the tea contained therein so pricey that they couldn’t reasonably double that quantity? I see that Dr. Weil has a branded line of canned tea that’s similar to this. At my local market (for a similar size) they’re something like $1.69. While I’d like to try one I rejected that price point on principle.
Bill,my guess is that they’re competing for market share with the “energy” drinks out there–Rockstar, Red Bull, etc–and hoping the packaging and look will entice those willing to pay $1.50-3.00 for a convenient take-along drink. Just a guess.
these r available at (most) big lots stores for 50 cents a can.
I really like this tea but I like green tea. I feel good about drinking this tea. I found some at my local Big Lots for 50 cents a can. I stocked up.
I found this today on sale at my local grocery store (Wegmans) for 50 cents a can (case of 30 for $14.50) and after trying one went back and bought a case. As a person who drinks unsweetened iced tea I have a hard time at work as they only sell sweetened tea. Now I have my portable little cans and will not have to buy soda as a substitute for not having tea available.
The Wegmans brand looks like it is also made by Ito En (manufacturer of Sencha Shot).
Janet, I bought the same case at wegmans. I am a big green tea fan and have drank sencha shots for a while. Ito En does produce the tea for wegmans. You can read about wegmans trip to japan here: https://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&productId=662247