Dear Sir and Madam,
We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support.
We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued
enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'New Gift Items / Popularity Ranking for Gift items (Holiday Gift)'.
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Recently we added new gift items to respond to customers' requests. These items would make perfect gifts for friends, family, and professional colleagues, or any special occasion!
Gifts shopping page: click here
Celebration Gifts in Japan page: click here
We would like to introduce some of the most popular items in our Gifts category, which have good reputations and are most often chosen by our customers to send as gifts. We hope that it will help you choose holiday gifts for your friends and family who love green tea.
Gifts shopping page: click here
Celebration Gifts in Japan page: click here
Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love
to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our
teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope
that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from
Kyoto, Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Atsushi Yasui
(Fertilizing)
It is said that high quality tea farming starts with enriching the soil. Therefore, autumn is a critical season for tea farmers. Tea trees grow best in autumn, so farmers work diligently to enrich the soil in late summer and early autumn. This work promotes new root growth production in tea plants. The work includes enriching the soil by adjusting soil pH to the proper acid levels, soil aeration by deep mechanical tillage, and application of autumn tea plant nutrients.
There are many tea farms in Japan with acidic soil and fertilizing only makes the soil more acidic, so it is necessary to adjust the soil to the appropriate pH. To adjust the acidity, farmers distribute lime between the tea trees in the month of September, then disc or cultivate the lime deep into the soil.
Roots of tea trees grow best in autumn, so it is very important for farmers to fertilize during the autumn season. Generally they use eight to fifteen varieties of fertilizer about ten times per year. Most farmers fertilize mainly (30 to 50 percent of the annual amount) in the autumn so that the fertilizer can slowly enrich the soil over a period of six months.
Tea trees for Gyokuro and Matcha are fertilized two to three times as much as other kinds of tea, such as Sencha, in order to create the characteristic deep mellow taste. Fertilizers should be fed in small amounts, several times every ten days or more. This process starts around the middle of September and continues to the middle of November. Fertilizing is more important and tough work for Gyokuro and Matcha tea farmers.
(Struggle with Harmful Insects and Disease)
As explained above, autumn is the season when the most amount of fertilizer is fed to the tea trees. If tea trees are not healthy in autumn due to damage by harmful insects or disease, the tea trees can't absorb enough of the nutrition of fertilizer, and unhealthy tea trees will not produce a good crop next spring. Therefore, farmers must struggle with harmful insects and disease in July and August, when Harmful insects start buzzing around the tea farm, in order to keep tea trees healthy.
Tea farmers frequently check their crops to see if any problem is developing, and if so, they must immediately take appropriate action. Very strict management for preventing harmful insects and diseases is required for hand-picked tea which is the highest grade. As you know, tea trees for hand-picked tea and for machine-trimmed tea are grown in different ways, and tea sprouts of both types of trees grow differently. (For more information, click here.) If tea leaves of tea trees for hand-picked tea are damaged once, new sprouts will immediately appear from the root of the damaged tea leaves, and the sprouts will become branches. Under ideal conditions, tea trees for hand-picked tea should grow straight upward without any branches. Therefore, farmers must check the tea leaves for hand-picked tea almost every day.
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| Tea farm for "Honzu" canopy in Ogura area in autumn |
Fertilized soil at the tea farm for "Honzu" canopy |
Tea farm for tea hand picked under the "Tana" canopy |
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| MAKI MUSHI (rolling insect) rolls tea leaves roundly and is resident in it. |
Brown color parts are damaged by TANSO disease. |
Tea trees for hand-picked tea under ideal conditions. They grow straight upward without any branches. |
What's Kuradashi Tea: click here
Kuradashi Tea which has been stored for over a year was taken out from
the granary. We have arranged three limited edition Kuradashi Gyokuro teas,
one Kuradashi Sencha, and four Kuradashi Matcha, as described below. They
are limited edition of 850 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season.
Celebrate Kuradashi Tea and enjoy the remarkable enriched flavor and sweetness
which can only be experienced once every year! We are certain that the
fine enriched flavor and sweetness will captivate you.
Kuradashi Matcha
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(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
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(Now Available: As requested by many customers, this value package was newly added for the 2013 Kuradashi season.)
This Kuradashi Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 21%. The traditional canopy used to shade tea plants from sunlight known as "Honzu" is unique and different from others. They are also important factors in creating the noble flavor and sweetness of the highest grade enriched Matcha...
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(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
For this Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
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(Now Available: As requested by many customers, this value package was newly added for the 2013 Kuradashi season.)
This Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. For this Kuradashi Matcha, tea leaves just after harvest, are steamed and dried in a special fire pit. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...
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Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha
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(Out of Stock Soon: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Kuradashi Gyokuro is different from ordinary Gyokuro in aroma and flavor. The superb enriched and sweetened flavor and aroma lingers in the mouth for a while. The aroma is full, but not too strong. The flavor is rich and subtle. The taste is both mellow and enhanced...
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(Out of Stock Soon: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
All Gyokuro does not gain an enriched flavor but only specific kinds of Gyokuro. It depends on some factors. We have enriched this highest grade of trimmed Gyokuro for one and a half years...
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(Out of Stock Soon: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Long time ago the quality and good conditioned Sencha in Autumn season must have been similar in taste and aroma to this fine Kuradashi Sencha. And that time, only few people could enjoy the excellent flavour...
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(Out of Stock)
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What's Kuradashi Tea: click here
Japanese "Amuse-Bouche" (Foods to Amuse the Mouth)
Traditional Japanese Snacks / Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea. Since 16th century Japan, they have been refined and improved upon over hundreds of years to create absolute harmony of flavor between the green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack. Such as the feeling you get when you have green tea and sushi together, your palate understands that this is an ideal match of flavor... (more info; click here)
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OHIGASHI is one of the most traditional Japanese confectionary which is often served at Japanese tea ceremony and pairs very well with Japanese green tea. At last, we added OHIGASHI which is made at Tsuboneya, a confectioner in Kyoto well-known for their beautiful confectionary made by hand with careful attention to quality and detail...
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OKAKI rice cracker is one of the most popular and classic snacks in Japan. At last, we added OKAKI which is made at Fujisawa Eiseido known for creating OKAKI using a traditional manufacturing process with careful attention to quality and natural ingredients. This OKAKI is traditionally-made by hand using only natural ingredients sourced only in Japan...
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CONPEITOH is a Japanese traditional sugar confectionery which came to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century. We packaged three kinds of premium CONPEITOH made by traditional processing methods with carefully selected ingredients using sophisticated modern recipes...
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This premium bean snack has a refined subtle flavor: a balance of pleasant nutty aroma of roasted beans and gentle sweet taste of the coating. Only carefully selected ingredients are used and an original manufacturing method is developed...
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This special box of premium SENBEI crackers includes two flavors: MATCHA and GENMAI roasted rice. These modern sophisticated handmade crackers are made by traditional methods, and match very well with all kinds of Japanese tea...
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We have arranged for 6 limited edition items and 1 new tea ware items. The 6 limited edition items are all available only this autumn and winter season.The new and limited edition tea ware includes Matcha Bowls and Accessories mainly from Kyo Yaki and Yamanaka Nuri.
We have chosen items that are of exceptional quality yet reasonable in price. They will certainly enrich and enhance your green moment.
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This Matcha bowl is graceful and dignified. The combination of the paintings and the decoration of gold brings an extremely elegant atmosphere. The harmony and contrast of natural soil and the elegant decoration are very rare and unique...
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This is a unique Matcha Bowl, which is a combination of the artisan's original designs with the most traditional style of Matcha Bowl. The original designs add a moderate sophistication to traditional WABI SABI, and make viewers feel the artisan's skill and passion...
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This porcelain Matcha Bowl creates an aura of elegance and unique pleasant cooling sensation. Curious to say, HAISEI color of this Matcha Bowl weaves warmth with cool, and the harmony and contrast of cool and warmth are excellent...
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This Matcha Bowl has a tranquil and elegant atmosphere, and when held in both hands, creates a calming effect. Matcha Bowl having such character is quite rare, but sought after...
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KOGIKU of this name is wild chrysanthemum in Japanese. Wild chrysanthemum is one of the most appreciated flowers in the Japanese tea ceremony. Considering the price and quality, this Matcha bowl is an outstanding value...
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KYO of this name means KYOTO and UME means plum in Japanese. Plum is special auspicious flower in Japan because it is said that Plum is the first to bloom among all spring flowers...
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The name of this CHAZUTSU refers to a small ball. TEMARI means ball, and KO means small in Japanese. This CHAZUTSU is very beautiful and spreads gracefulness around, so this is also suitable for display in your home or office...
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Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here
Teapots / Cups shopping page: click here
(Notice 1) Improved Customer Review Posting by Nickname and Picture
We improved our website by adding an option to use a nickname and upload a picture when you post a customer review. Now you can enter a nickname when posting a review in order to remain anonymous. Previously our customer review page requested the reviewer’s real name.
And now our customer review page also allows you to upload and add a picture to your review. Please post your candid review with a picture of our tea and your family, pet, lovely landscape, or anything meaningful to you. It surely would be a great help for other customers to enrich the enjoyment of Japanese tea!
(Notice 2) Price Reduction on All Merchandise
We reduced our prices approximately 4% to 6% on all merchandise on our website due to recent exchange rate fluctuation. The updated price was effective on and after September 1, 2013. This is the second price reduction in the past 6 months and the total reduction range is approximately 15% to 18%. We will continuously make efforts to provide genuine Japanese tea and culture to our customers.
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Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an
36 Shimonoto Yuyadani
Ujitawara, Kyoto 610-0221
Japan
http://www.hibiki-an.com
![[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz)](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/readings/KuradashiTea/KuradashiItems/KuradashiPre.jpg)
![[Limited] KOGIKU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$93.00](http://www.hibiki-an.com/images/upload/thumbnail/KOGIKU_A01.jpg)
