It is not a secret that Japanese tea has been experiencing some challenges. However, this has also prompted to explore Japanese tea in a new and creative way. In 2023 we launched Japanese Tea Conferences to highlight innovative tea projects and provide a space for tea-minded people to connect. In 2024 we held Japanese Tea Conferences again and the second one took place in Kyoto on 28th July.
This year the program was expanded and featured three Japanese Tea Innovators – tea professionals in Japan, who are exploring Japanese tea from different perspective and are trying to bring new inspiration to the Japanese Tea industry.
Eiji Nakamura form Baisa Nakamura talked about changing the tea industry with freezing technology. Typically, Japanese tea is processed right after harvesting using steaming, rolling and drying technology. Freezing on the other hand allows to distribute tea processing throughout the year, taking the stress off the tea producers and offering fresh tea to the tea consumers all year round.
Ren Yamagata from Mandokorocha Ennokai discussed the importance of preserving historic tea regions. Years ago, as a newcomer to tea Yamagata-san was charmed by the beautiful Mandokoro in the mountains of Shiga Prefecture. While most of the tea industry has adopted harvesting technology, tea in Mandokoro, was still largely produced the same traditional way, and Yamagata-san took it on herself to preserve it by bringing the community together.
Finally, Soma Matsumoto form mirume Shinryoku Sabo emphasized the need to make good tea accessible in daily life. At mirume Shinryoku Sabo they are trying to achieve this through the Morning Bottle program, that allows office workers to rent bottled tea made with high grade tea leaves on their way to work and return it on the way back.
During the break after the presentations, participants could try two special teas – frozen wakocha and regional bancha from Mandokoro. Then the focus shifted to university students from the Japanese Tea Evangelist Program, who have learned about Japanese tea before going to study abroad. Some of them present at the venue, others online shared their experience of promoting Japanese tea at their destination countries.
The conference ended with a tea party featuring 12 teas from different regions of Japan. Participants were eager to mingle and chat while tasting some delicious and unique teas brewed by the Japanese Tea Evangelists. The event wrapped up with a song and an emotional speech from our Vice-President Matsumoto.
