This month we selected a Honyamacha (本山茶) from Shizuoka (静岡), in the prefecture of Shizuoka (静岡).

Honyamacha

We finally introduce you a green tea from Shizuoka. Half of Japanese green teas are produced there. The name of Shizuoka evokes us green tea immediately. The temperate climate and sunshine hours make for very good teas.

There are many different tea brands in Shizuoka, named according to the districts, not unlike Bordeaux or Burgundy wines. Honyamacha (本山茶) is considered the original green tea of Shizuoka. The tea plantations extend along Abe River, among the mountains.

The history of Honyamacha started during the Kamakura period (12th century) and is famous for being the green tea loved by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shogun as well as founder of the Tokugawa government. This tea was dedicated afterwards to the Tokugawa shoguns during the Edo period.

At first, the tea was commonly called “Abecha” (安倍茶), which means green tea of the Abe River. However, when the rumor that this tea was loved by Tokugawa Ieyasu spread all over Japan, all green teas from Shizuoka started to be called “Abecha”. Afterwards, to differentiate the original Abecha from the other ones, we renamed it “Honyamacha” which means the “classical” green tea, produced in a precisely defined “tea garden”.

This green tea is classified as a Sencha (煎茶), of a very high quality rank. It has a pale yellow color, and a sweet taste with an agreeable bitterness.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, Founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Let's talk a little bit about Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), who founded the Edo government which lasted 265 years. He was a lord during the Sengoku period, literally “states at war”. He led to the end of the civil war and the unification of Japan at the age of 60, after working for his leaders Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉).

He was taken hostage as a child and his career was not lustrous at first, but his chance eventually came. He waited until Hideyoshi’s death to take power, and eventually established a solid, unified state.

There are three popular haikus in Japan which explain these three leaders very well.

1. “If the cuckoo doesn’t sing, kill it.” Dedicated to Oda Nobunaga, who was known for his ruthlessness and military ambitions.

2. “If the cuckcoo doesn’t sing, coax it”. Dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was known as a talented negotiator.

3. “If the cuckcoo doesn’t sing, wait for it”. Dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu who was known for his patience, caution and perseverance.

How about you? Who do you feel closer to?

Brewing Honyamacha

The amount of tealeaves should be adapted according to the desired taste: it should be around 2 tea spoons (6 grams) of Honyamacha for 200ml (6.8oz) of spring water.

The first infusion should last 90 seconds in water at 60ºC (140ºF). The second infusion should be done for 60 seconds between 70ºC and 80ºC(160-180ºF). For the third infusion, quicker and at a higher temperature than the second one.

If you have questions about Japanese green teas, please do not hesitate to contact us!