Matcha (抹茶) is one of the most traditional teas in Japan and it has even evolved into a way of life. For the past few years we have seen matcha booming all around the world. The catchy bright green colour, the different ways it can be used, the so much mentioned health benefits, its very […]
Originally introduced from China, Batabatacha is the Japanese post-fermented tea that bears the closest similarity to Chinese pu-erh. It is typical to the town of Asahi in Toyama Prefecture, and the city of Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture. It was also produced in Fukui Prefecture until 1976. Considering that in the Japanese language the onomatopoeic word […]
History Ishizuchi kurocha is an extremely rare tea. It has been produced in Japan for centuries, but its precise origins, always associated with the same legends about monk Kōbō Daishi and its legacy, remain nebulous and elusive as they fade in the fogs of history. The tea’s production is unique to Ehime Prefecture where it […]
History Goishicha’s production is almost exclusively limited to the area around Ootoyo town in Kōchi prefecture, where it is registered as a trademark of the Ootoyo Town Goishicha Cooperative. The exact moment of its start in Japan is unknown but it is thought that goishicha first appeared in the 18th century. Although historically not attested, […]
History Awabancha is an artisan-produced post-fermented tea from Tokushima prefecture. According to the legend, its long tradition dates back to the ninth century. The production of awabancha is said to have been handed down by the Buddhist monk Kōbō Daishi, also known as Kūkai, who taught local people how to make tea from the trees […]
In our previous articles on Japanese tea kinds, we often talked about seasonal types of tea and even teas that are considered more rare in Japan. This time we are going to write about quite the opposite: the most common and widespread tea produced (and still consumed) in Japan – sencha! Let’s see more in […]
Have you heard of Obukucha – the special tea that people in Japan drink around the new year? The name Obukucha (大福茶), translated from Japanese means good fortune tea. It is usually drunk on the first days of the new year to bring good luck and good health for the coming year. The tradition was […]
Introduction Just like China with its pu-erh, Japan has its post-fermented tea too. However, Japanese post-fermented teas are produced only in small quantities and are very geographically specific! Most of these teas are produced in small rural villages, where this very particular tradition is being kept alive by a few people, usually of the older […]