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KitaniKeiji

This year's new tea may come earlier than usual

In Japan, the current climate is the warmest March on record. This may lead to this year's new tea arriving about a week earlier than usual. However, it's unlikely that the schedule for the first market will be signifi

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Keiji Kitani

The Refining Process for Sencha ver2

The Refining Process for SenchaWhile the basic form of tea is already formed when it’s crude tea, it’s still too rough to be sold. In this form the tea still includes stems, powder, and buds, as well as small hardened balls formed when the tea is roasted, and other components. The tea is still high in moisture content, and it’s unsuitable for long-term storage at home.Tea is sold as crude tea on the market to tea finishers. Our company buys most of our crude tea from the tea market in Kyoto. We take this tea and refine it into a...

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Keiji Kitani

How Sencha (crude tea) is Made

Tea begins to ferment soon after it’s been picked due to the influence of oxygen. Japanese tea is non-fermented, which is why tea farmers work to process tea to a certain extent on the very day it’s picked. Tea made in this manner is known as crude tea. Processors in the business of finishing tea will buy tea from farmers as crude tea, and then undertake the final finishing process at factories or co-ops.Here I’ll tell you about how crude tea is made.The goal of the process for making crude tea is to finish the basic shaping of the leaves,...

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Keiji Kitani

How to enjoy Japanese green tea

Before brewing... First of all, it is important to purchase tea leaves kept in good condition.Unlike dry oxidized teas such as black or oolong, Japanese tea leaves easily deteriorate. To keep the tea leaves in good condition, expertise and the right type of storage facilities are required. It seems that it is difficult for many importers and retailers outside of Japan to keep green tea in good condition. Second, it is very important that tea leaves are kept in good condition to brew flavorful green tea by a procedure suitable for each kind of tea. Keep the tea leaves away...

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