Teas of Japan
The teas and tea culture of Japan are fascinating and have attracted many tea-curious sippers to learn more. Hundreds of articles by T Ching writers can help guide your search to know more.
ISSAKU RESERVE – An award-winning masterpiece from Arahataen Farm in Shizuoka, Japan
If someone were to ask me . . . "If you could only drink one Japanese green tea for the rest of your life, what would it be?" . . . my answer will undoubtedly be our cherished ISSAKU Reserve. You might say I'm biased because it's crafted by our trusted tea supplier,...
What You Need to Know About Matcha Production
Matcha: The Pride of All TeasBasic Questions About Matcha Tea What is matcha green tea? How is matcha produced, and where does it come from? The manufacturing process of matcha green tea is complex and demanding for the tea manufacturing artists who bring it to us....
Discover Kagoshima, Japan’s 2nd Largest Tea-producing Region
It's that time of year again - the season for the first flush tea. This time, let me introduce you to the tea from Kagoshima Prefecture, one of the major tea-producing regions in Japan.About Kagoshima Kagoshima is located in Kyushu - one of the four main islands of...
Want to know more about importing Japanese tea?
The tea industry in Japan has particularly benefited from such global restructuring, with tea export value increasing to the US, UK, and Netherlands by 130%, 133%, and 142% respectively between 2019 and 2020, according to theJapanese Tea Export Council. Globally...
Sencha; Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sencha? Sencha is a popular kind of Japanese green tea, grown in full sunlight and brewed by infusing whole loose leaves in 80°C warm water. It is dark green in color with an astringent taste and bitter afternotes, and fresh grassy aroma. It is also referred...
What is Chabanare?
Chabanare may be a "tea" word that you've never heard before. In Japanese, there is a word meaning the decline of love for Japanese tea. Is there reduced demand for Japanese tea? What might increase interest in fine Japanese tea in the future?There are more than a...
The Basics of Hosting a Japanese Tea Ceremony – Chado
Chado; The Japanese Tea Ceremony The Japanese tea ceremony is a get-together that can bring harmony to all tea drinkers. This ritual is called Chado, meaning the way of the tea. Japanese people do tea ceremonies to bond together in a calm, harmonious, and peaceful...
The Legend of Genmaicha – The Accidental Tea of Japan
Genmaicha (玄米茶, "brown rice tea") is a Japanese brown rice green tea consisting of green tea mixed with roasted popped brown rice.[1] It is sometimes referred to colloquially as "popcorn tea" because a few grains of the rice pop during the roasting process and...
You Can Roast Hojicha At Home
Find out how to roast hojicha yourself, and how to order a hojiki from Japan.
Virtual Japanese Green Tea Tour
I was one of the first people to join the Virtual Japanese Green Tea Tour.
Choose the Best Japanese Kyusu For You
What type of Japanese kyusu is best for each tea? And what are the characteristics of each kyusu?
Hojicha – The Latest Trend In Japan
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that is quickly gaining in popularity.
Comparing Chinese Tea Art Ceremony, Korean Tea Ceremony, and Japanese Chado Tea Ceremony
When most practitioners think about tea culture, they think about the word “Cha Dao (茶道).” More specifically, when they think about tea culture pertaining to particular countries, they think of Chinese “tea art,” the…
Tea Trend in Japan – Hojicha
Hojicha is a roasted green tea. Some types are made by roasting the leaves and others the stems.
Is the Tea Ceremony Romantic?
One member of my Tea Dharma Club asked me: “Is the tea ceremony romantic?” I was surprised by this question, so I checked an English dictionary to find what the word “romantic” means.
Top 10 Japanese Green Tea Whisk Holders from Amazon
Keep your chasen (bamboo matcha whisk) in shape with our top whisk stand / holder finds on Amazon.
How to Measure the Temperature of Japanese Tea
Experience the calm environment of tea-time by knowing how to make the most out of your tea leaves.
Japanese green tea: Sencha
In 1731, a Japanese Zen priest observed Chinese immigrants, living in Nagasaki, drinking sencha - steeped or infused tea. Sencha liberated tea drinkers from the rigid rules and expensive tea room decorations of chanoyu and represented a rejection of the chanoyu...
10 Non-Japanese Snacks to Enjoy With Japanese Green Tea
There are treats and mini bites that can satisfy sweet cravings without consuming preservatives and artificial flavorings.
Japanese Green Tea Versus Japanese Coffee
Let’s talk about how Japanese drink tea and coffee then dive into their differences.
10 Japanese Snacks to Accompany Japanese Green Tea
Experience modern Japanese culture with these Japanese-made snacks with your tea.
The Magic Tea Kettle; A Japanese Legend
Bunbuku Chagama, literally “Bunbuku tea-kettle,” is a Japanese folktale or fairy tale.
The Japanese White Tea Odyssey – Part 2
I was able to get some sweet and rough flavor out of the two teas.
The Japanese White Tea Odyssey – Part 1
I was contacted because a Japanese tea farmer in Kyushu was experimenting with a white tea!
The Essential Guide to Matcha: Japanese Matcha Versus Imposters
A Blog Series for Serious Sippers! In this blog series, I will answer the question “what is Matcha green tea?” and help you discover how to find genuine matcha, how best to store it, and the ways to prepare this vivid green health elixir from Japan. The Essential...
Modernizing Tradition: A Guide To Hosting A Modern Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as the Sado, is one of the most ancient and elegant traditions that comes from the Land of the Rising Sun. Some people who are interested in tea culture travel all the way to Japan to take classes from a master; and once they are...
Japanese Tea Farming Technological Innovation – Part 2
Continued from Japanese Tea Farming Technological Innovation – Part 1 What is it like to harvest Japanese tea? Let’s take a step back and refocus on what you’re likely to see on an average Japanese tea farm in 2020. Imagine you’re on a Japanese farm in Shizuoka-ken:...
Japanese Tea Farming Technological Innovation – Part 1
Why has technology flourished in Japanese tea farms? I’d like to think of tea as part of an experience. Perhaps part of the experience of waking up in the morning or enjoying a hot drink before going to bed -- or anything in between -- on an average day. It’s a small...
Following the Harvest, Second Installment – Highlights of the Tea Tour of Japan 2019
In Okabe, we visited legendary Gyokuro tea maker Tohei Maejima where we learned the effects of shading on the leaves. He welcomed us to his home where we had the opportunity to learn more from the master, taste and then eat some of his prized Gyokuro green tea.
Following the Harvest, First Installment – Highlights of the Tea Tour of Japan 2019 – Part 2
Continued from Following the Harvest, First Installment – Highlights of the Tea Tour of Japan 2019 – Part 1 Wisteria garden Oldest tea garden in Japan with the abbot from Kozanji Temple At the Kawachi Wisteria garden, we were advised that the peak of the season had...
Following the Harvest, First Installment – Highlights of the Tea Tour of Japan 2019 – Part 1
Ancient Tea TreeSpring comes in its own good time. But for tea lovers, it can never come too soon. This is the season of New Tea. Some places call it First Flush. For some regions it is their “flavor season”. In Japan it is Shin Cha. Tea farmers, producers, traders,...
Kyobancha, the Winter Warmer
Return to T Ching Classics: Winter Tea There’s nothing like the smell of a wood-burning open fire in the dead of winter to make you feel warm and cozy. But if you don’t have a real fireplace, there’s another way to snuggle up! A fairly unfamiliar Japanese tea called...
The Black Belt Chazutsu Masters
Maturity, proficiency, dedication, accuracy, determination, sweat, skill, reward: this is what a black belt in martial arts signifies. I’ve seen these same characteristics in a tea caddy maker in Kyoto.
Major Green Tea Manufacturers in Japan – Part 2
Continued from yesterday's post Ueshima Coffee Company: Not Just Coffee Anymore Ueshima Coffee Company, or UCC, originated the canned coffee beverage available in vending machines in Japan. Although coffee remains the company’s most important product, recently it has...