Sencha September 2017 - Tsukimi Sencha from Kyōto This month we selected a type of Sencha called Tsukimi Sencha (月見煎茶), from the prefecture of Kyōto (京都). Tsukimi Sencha Sencha constitutes 80% of the green tea produced in Japan, however Sencha doesn't have a long history. Formerly teas in Japan were not green, but brown, similar to black teas
Mugicha August 2017 - Mugicha from Shimane Summer 2017 has come! We selected a Mugicha (麦茶) from Izumo (出雲) in the prefecture of Shimane (島根). Mugicha According to some archives, Japanese people were already drinking Mugicha during the Heian area (9th century). Mugicha is popular as a beverage for the summer. We never forget to prepare Mugicha
Shimane July 2017 - Zaracha from Shimane I had never heard of Zaracha (ざら茶) until my friend told me about this tea. He recently went to Tsuwano (津和野) in the prefecture of Shimane (島根) to make this tea. Jumping on this opportunity, I decided to choose Zaracha for this month. Zaracha Zaracha (ざら茶) is not made from
Shincha June 2017 – Shincha from Shizuoka This is the second Shincha (新茶) of the year! It comes from the prefecture of Shizuoka (静岡). Shincha We selected another Shincha (新茶), from Shizuoka (静岡) this time. Shizuoka is very famous for green tea in Japan. The prefecture of Shizuoka instantly reminds us of green tea, and of Mount
Shincha May 2017 - Shincha from Okinawa This month we selected a Shincha (新茶) from the prefecture of Okinawa (沖縄). Shincha Shincha (新茶) 2017, the new tea leaves of the year have been released from Okinawa (沖縄), the southern island of Japan! Shincha is generally harvested from the 88th day following the spring equinox (February 4th) of
Hojicha April 2017 – Hōji Bancha from Okayama This month we selected a Hōji Bancha (ほうじ番茶) from Mimasaka (美作) in the prefecture of Okayama (岡山). Hōji Bancha Hōji Bancha (ほうじ番茶) from Mimasaka is a tea prepared while keeping the original shape of the tea leaves. We already presented another Bancha: Kyōbancha from Kyōto in October 2016. Tea leaves
Sencha March 2017 - Ashigaracha from Kanagawa Hello! We selected a Sencha (煎茶), delimited in Ashigara (足柄) from the prefecture of Kanagawa (神奈川). Sencha from Ashigara Ashigaracha (足柄茶) is produced in the prefecture of Kanagawa, not far from Tokyo, more precisely in the district of Ashigara. The tea plantations spread at the base of Mount Hakone (箱根)
Hojicha February 2017 - Tosa Aburicha from Kōchi This month we selected a Tosa Aburicha (土佐炙茶) from the prefecture of Kōchi (高知). Tosa Aburicha Tosa Aburicha (土佐炙茶) is a kind of Hōjicha (焙じ茶) which we have already introduced to you several times. However, we have no right to call Aburicha any other Hōjicha. In order to make a
Sencha January 2017 – Ibicha from Gifu Happy new year 2017! To begin the new year, we selected a kind of Sencha (煎茶): an Ibicha (いび茶), from the district of Ibi (揖斐) in the prefecture of Gifu (岐阜). Sencha, Ibicha Ibicha (いび茶) is produced in the prefecture of Gifu, more precisely in the district of Ibi. The
Kamairicha December 2016 - Irokawacha from Wakayama We selected a Kamairicha (釜入り茶) from Irokawa (色川), in the region of Nachikatsuura (那智勝浦) in the prefecture of Wakayama (和歌山). Kamairicha, Irokawacha The district of Irokawa (色川) in Nachikatsuura (那智勝浦) is located on the slopes with a southern exposure of the Kii mountain range (紀伊山地). The difference of temperature between
Sencha November 2016 - Asamiyacha from Shiga This month we selected a kind of Sencha (煎茶): an Asamiyacha (朝宮茶), from the region of Shigaraki (信楽) in the prefecture of Shiga (滋賀). Sencha, Asamiya-cha Asamiyacha (朝宮茶) is one of the 5 best green teas in Japan, after Uji (宇治), Shizuoka (静岡) and Sayama (狭山). The tea plantation is
Kyoto October 2016 - Kyōbancha from Kyoto This month we selected a Kyōbancha (京番茶) from the prefecture of Kyoto (京都). Kyōbancha Kyōbancha(京番茶)… didn’t you recognize the smell of Kyōbancha when you received it? It is quite strong, similar tobacco or smoke. Kyōbancha an everyday drink among the people of Kyoto. Usually, they prepare it in
Kukicha September 2016 - Kukicha from Shimane This month we selected a Kukicha (茎茶) from Izumo (出雲) in the prefecture of Shimane (奈良). Kukicha Kukicha (茎茶) literally means a tea (茶) made of stalks or stems (茎). We also call it Bōcha (棒茶), but the latter is more wildly used in the prefecture of Ishikawa (see the
Mugicha August 2016 - Mugicha from Kaga Heat has finally arrived in Japan, so for this shipment we naturally decided on a Mugicha (麦茶) from Kaga (加賀), in the prefecture of Ishikawa (石川). Mugicha It's not exaggerated to say that Japanese people drink nearly exclusively iced Mugicha at home during summer. And so do I: I prepare
Shincha July 2016 – Shincha from Nara Following the Shincha from Kumamoto (熊本), we selected another Shincha (新茶) from Tsukigase (月ヶ瀬), in the prefecture of Nara (奈良). Shincha, Kabusecha In the ancient times, we considered tea to be a medicine. People drank the leaves in summer, the fruits in autumn, the roots in winter and the burgeons
Fukamushi sencha June 2016 – Shincha from Kumamoto This month we selected a Shincha (新茶) from the prefecture of Kumamoto (熊本茶). Shincha Shincha (新茶) 2016 has been released in Japan! The 88th day from the spring equinox is the day of the first harvest of tea in Japan. The harvest lasts from the beginning of May until June.
Sencha May 2016 - Murakamicha from Niigata This month we selected a tea from Murakami -Murakamicha (村上茶)- in the prefecture of Niigata (新潟). Murakamicha Murakamicha is one of the green teas produced the most North of Japan. Tea leaves fade under -10ºC (14ºF), however, as snow covers the plants completely during winter it protects them from
Fukuoka April 2016 – Sakuracha from Fukuoka, Kyūshū Spring is here! This month we selected a Sakuracha (桜茶), from the prefecture of Fukuoka (福岡) in Kyūshū (九州). Sakuracha Sakuracha (桜茶) literally means a cherry blossom (桜) tea (茶). It’s not a green tea, but an infustion made of salted cherry blossoms. Sakuracha became popular among people of
Hojicha March 2016 - Hōjicha from Kyōto This month we selected a Hōjicha (焙じ茶) from Kyōto (京都). I personally often buy this tea which is my favorite. So I am very happy to introduce it this time! Hōjicha Do you remember the Bōcha (棒茶) of Kaga that we sent you in November 2015? The Hōjicha (焙じ茶) that
Sencha February 2016 – Honyamacha from Shizuoka 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
Kyoto January 2016 - Obukucha from Kyoto Happy New Year 2016! Just like last year, we will try to introduce you to oishii Japanese green teas all year long. For a good start, we selected an Obukucha (大福茶) from Kyoto (京都). Obukucha Obukucha (大福茶) is a special tea prepared only for the first month of the new
Fukamushi sencha December 2015 - Sayamacha This month we selected an organic Sayamacha (狭山茶) from Iruma (入間), in the prefecture of Saitama (埼玉). Sayamacha Sayamacha (狭山茶) is one of the three major Japanese green teas (Shizuoka, Uji and Sayama). A proverb in Japan says: “Color of Shizuoka, aroma of Uji, and flavor of Sayama”. The history
Hojicha November 2015 - Boucha from Kaga This month we selected a Boucha (棒茶) of Kaga (加賀), in the prefecture of Ishikawa (石川). Boucha Boucha is a roasted green tea. Broadly speaking, Japanese green teas are divided in three categories: Matcha (powdered tea), Sencha (steamed tea) and Hojicha (roasted tea). Boucha is a kind of Hojicha, produced
Kyushu October 2015 – Kamairicha from Gokase This month we have selected a Kamairicha (釜入り茶) from Gokase (五ヶ瀬), in the prefecture of Miyazaki (宮崎). Kamairicha Kamairicha is a roasted green tea. Generally, Japanese green tea is made by steaming tea leaves immediately after harvesting, before the fermentation starts. On the other hand, tealeaves of Kamairicha are not
Gyokuro September 2015 - Gyokuro from Yame For the September shipment we have selected the highest grade tea of Japan -Gyokuro- from its greatest appellation: the city of Yame located in the Fukuoka prefecture. Gyokuro Gyokuro (玉露) is a type of Sencha (煎茶). It has a round and sweet taste with a brilliant green color, similar to
