Since ancient times, there is one beverage that has withstood the test time, tea. It is easy to image why it is one of the most consumed beverages in the world for centuries, it usually only involves one ingredient; tea leaves. Yet the application of the humble tea leaf is multifaceted. It is hard to believe that various types of teas can be made with a single variety of tea. Perhaps the greatest expression of this variation is found in Japanese green teas.

Japanese culture is filled with traditions and like all things worth preserving, green tea is high on the list. Japanese green tea cultivation, production, and consumption has been celebrated for millennia in Japan and there is no where more significant and important to Japanese green tea than its mecca, Uji City in Kyoto. The finest teas come from this region, especially the region of Kyotanabe, where the teas have finesse, elegance, and grace that only leaves from this region can possess, a sort of ‘terroir’ if you will. Like wine and coffee, the best tea leaves come from high elevation areas with a big temperature swing between the day and night. With Kyotanabe’s geography and climate, it is no surprise that it is and has been the quintessential location for growing premium green teas.

Most tea growers in Japan are family owned and operated for centuries and Maiko no Cha is no exception. With Mr. Masayasu Tamiya at the helm, Maiko no Cha continues to maintain and safeguard tradition, but utilizes creativity and innovation to create teas that are well-suited for this generation’s palette as well. Traditions are methods that have been perfected through the test of time and Maiko no Cha has mastered the tea making process through these ancient techniques. Having won the prestigious award of ‘Best Tea in Japan’ seven times in the modern era, their master tea maker, Mr. Yamashita Jyuichi, has been recognized by the Japanese government as a living national treasure and the tea of choice for the Imperial family of Japan. While embracing long held traditions keeps them rooted in their identity, Maiko no Cha also knows the importance of adapting and challenging ways to stay relevant as the modern consumers’ palette evolves. Always coming up with new blends or new uses for tea, Maiko no Cha continues to innovate their blends and offerings and we are thrilled to be able to offer you the fruits of their labor!

Because tea leaves are similar in shape to other product, perhaps there is a common misconception about tea cultivation is that they must have maximum heat and sun exposure for the best crop. In fact, the exact opposite is true for the highest quality teas. Like wine and coffee beans, Japanese green teas require high elevation and cool shade to extract the most flavor. By shading these young leaves from the harsh sun, the tea growers are able to slow the maturation process, thereby allowing all of the essences and minerals of the teas to become fully concentrated by the time harvest season arrives. A unique process in making Japanese green tea is the lack of roasting. Instead, the young tea leaves are steamed, hand rolled, and dried to extract maximum ‘umami’ flavors out of the leaves. These techniques are what allows the leaves to gently dehydrate and release moisture instead of burning or oxidizing them with roasters like other tea varietals. This is also a crucial step in preserving their vibrate green color as well. It is not enough for a tea to be well-balanced. For it to be considered great, it must be full of umami as well and this is precisely where Maiko no Cha distinguishes itself from the rest of the pack; umami. The youngest of the tea leaves will be placed through a stone crusher to pulverize them into powder; by which they become the famous matcha green tea. The rest will repeat the drying process and the best crops will go onto becoming the pinnacle of Japanese green tea; Gyokuro tea. Whether you enjoy your teas in the morning to get ready for the day or in the afternoon or evening for a peaceful break, we are overjoyed to help you achieve your serene moment with the greatest cup!

Serenity now!