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| Hand Picked Harvest |
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| - Efforts for Kuradashi Tea |
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| Main Topic |
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| Seasonal Topics & Items |
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| Dear Sir and Madam, |
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| 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 'Hand Picked Harvest (Efforts for Kuradashi Tea)'. |
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Hand Picked Harvest (Efforts for Kuradashi Tea)
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Today most tea leaves are trimmed by machine and traditional hand picked Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha are rarely grown and is therefore very precious. The flavor and aroma of hand picked tea is much more mellow and smooth than tea trimmed by machine.
Tea trees for hand picked and for machine trimmed are grown in different ways, and tea sprouts of both types of trees grow differently. In the case of tea trees trimmed by machine, tea sprouts grow from the previously trimmed stubble. In contrast, in the case of tea trees picked by hand, tea sprouts shoot from the natural forks in the branches. The difference in sprout growth is the main reason why teas picked by hand vs. trimmed by machine have distinctly unique flavors. The flavor and aroma of hand picked tea is much more mellow and smooth than tea trimmed by machine and the leaves are of higher quality.
Even a skilled tea harvester can hand pick just up to 6 to 8kg of fresh tea leaves all through the day. The picked fresh tea leaves are processed and finished, at which point the total weight of the tea leaves is only about 18% of the fresh tea leaves. Even if about 20 skilled tea harvesters pick all through the day, we can only gather around 25 kg of finished precious hand picked tea.
From the time the sprouts appear to the time the leaves become too large to harvest is just a few days. So tea leaves must be harvested as quickly as possible in one long stretch. Therefore it is never easy to pick large amounts of tea leaves by skilled hands in just a few days.
Top grade tea, hand picked tea is grown only in quite a small amount. So, hand picked tea is very precious.
Our Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle, Super Premium, Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle and Super Premium are carefully picked by hand.
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| Tea farm on front side is for tea trimmed by machine under the "Tana" canopy. |
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| When tea is picked by hand, tea sprouts shoot from the natural forks in the branches. The sprouts create an excellent mellow and smooth flavor. |
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| Machine-trimmed tea is harvested by only 2 or 3 people. In contrast, hand-picked tea is harvested by 10 to 30 people. |
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| Hand-picked tea harvest scene |
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Shade-grown tea and "Honzu" the traditional canopy (Efforts for
Kuradashi Tea)
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Tea leaves for Gyokuro and Matcha are grown in the shade for 20 to 30 days before harvest. There are two ways of creating shade for growing tea trees. One of them is "Tana" and the other is "Jikagise". With the "Jikagise" method, the tea plants are directly covered with a type of black fabric. "Tana" is not covering the tea tree directly but building a canopy-like structure at the height of about 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1m) covering the whole tea growing area as in the below picture. It requires skillful technique and great care, and is managed only in the Uji region. Excellent noble aroma and elegant sweetness are created by the "Tana" technique.
"Tana" is superior to "Jikagise" for a few reasons. "Tana" is much less of a burden for tea leaves and tea trees than "Jikagise" because "Jikagise" is placed directly over the tea leaves. "Tana" is a superior way to provide protection from the heat and intense sunlight. It is not completely understood why "Tana" produces such an excellent flavor in Gyokuro and Matcha, but tea producers in Japan are currently conducting research to find an answer to this question.
If you visit a tea farm in Japan and step under the "Tana" canopy, you are immediately aware that the air under the "Tana" is quite brisk and invigorating, which refreshes your mind and body. This is due to the "breath" of the tea leaves under the canopy.
"Honzu" is a very special way of building "Tana". It is the traditional way of diffusing sunlight from long ago, and these days it is very rare to see, even in the Uji region. In the "Honzu" method, tea farmers build a structure to provide shade to the tea trees using only reeds and straw. Old-style reeds and straw provide the ideal shade for tea trees. And it is said that the constituents exuded from the straw through the rainwater exercise good effects on the tea leaves.
However, it is not easy to build this structure of reeds and straw, to gather so much reeds and straw, and to manage to keep the "Honzu" in good condition throughout the growing season. For example, if a strong wind blew just after placement of the straw, the straw would be blown away and ruined. If it rains once after the placement of the straw, the rainwater firms the structure.
As above, "Honzu" requires skillful technique and much great care, so that only less than 10 farmers in all of Japan manage "Honzu" (only in Ogura and a few other areas in the Uji region). However, the shading with reeds and straw of "Honzu" provide tea leaves with the very ideal conditions.
Our Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle and Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle are grown in diffused sunlight under the reed and straw "Honzu" which provides an ideal growing environment for top-grade Gyokuro. If you are a Japanese Tea lover, would you once enjoy the excellent and subtle flavor grown with the traditional technique and much great care? |
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| "Jikagise" shading from sunlight |
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| "Tana" made with modern building materials |
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| "Honzu" made with reeds and straw is a traditional style of "Tana" |
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| Building "Honzu". Placing straws on the reed frame |
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Kuradashi Tea is Now Available! |
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At last Kuradashi Gyokuro is now available! The Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony was solemnly and mindfully held at Kosho Temple in Uji and people celebrated Kuradashi Tea on October 5
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At this time, our 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 and one Kuradashi Sencha, 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. |
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Kuradashi Matcha |
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[Limited] Matcha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$34.00
(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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[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$85.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn 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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[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz): US$43.00
(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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[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$128.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn 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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Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$24.00
(Now Available: 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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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Premium (80g/2.82oz): US$27.00
(Now Available: 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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[Limited] Kuradashi Gyokuro Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz): US$35.00
(Now Available: limited edition of 850 packages ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season)
Tea leaves for this special tea grow in the Ogura area in the Uji region, which is known as one of the foremost production centers of the highest grade of enriched Gyokuro. The Ogura area was the area in where Gyokuro and Matcha were firstly grown... |
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[Limited] Kuradashi Sencha (80g/2.82oz): US$24.00
(Now Available: 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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| 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. |
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| Sincerely yours, |
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| Atsushi Yasui |
Seasonal Topics & Items
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[New & Limited] Matcha Bowls / Accessories (Autumn and Winter) |
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We have arranged for 13 limited edition and 3 new tea ware items. The 13
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.
Some of the items are designed with modern, sophisticated style, while others use traditional handcrafted techniques for a more traditional design.
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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[Limited] SHISAI KAMON (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$269.00 (Now Available)
TSHISAI KAMON has not only sophisticated but unique atmosphere like nostalgic early-modern Japan. This is created by a technique called MISHIMA. Before shaped clay is dried, patterns are marked by stamp stick carved with flowers or another similar design... |
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[Limited] HIBIKI - TSUTSU GATA (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$173.00 (Now Available)
This Matcha Bowl is created only for Hibiki-an by up-and-coming artisan, Hozan Tanii. HIBIKI of this name means chime, harmony, or symphony. Hozan Tanii specially developed this glaze to evoke the rich and poignant beauty, and somewhat lonely atmosphere of autumn in Japan... |
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[Limited] KYOHSOH - GOKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$173.00 (Now Available)
YOHSOH of this name means coexistence, harmony, or symphony. Tall base, which is spread out at the bottom, creates an accent, a sense of tension, and delicacy, and tightens the form. The contrast of flowing glaze, rough soil, and subtle form is quite unique and exquisite... |
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[Limited] TAMA TSUBAKI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$173.00 (Now Available)
This Matcha Bowl is graceful and dignified. Combination of the paintings and the form brings an extremely sophisticated atmosphere. The artist Yozan Ogawa has created a bold and heroic composition of the Camellia flower TSUBAKI... |
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[Limited] MUGEN MOMIJI (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$173.00 (Now Available)
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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[Limited] KISSHOH TSURU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$141.00 (Now Available)
KISSHOH of this name means auspicious and TSURU means crane in Japan. Patterns regarded as auspicious motif in Japan are painted elegantly. This is a deliberate work, which has the excellent harmony and unique contrast of elegant painting and subtle atmosphere of natural clay... |
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[Limited] KOGIKU (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$88.00 (Now Available)
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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[Limited] KOGIKU Matcha Starter Set: US$115.00 (Now Available)
This Starter Set is the minimum set including only the essential tea ware for a perfect bowl of Matcha. And this includes KOGIKU handcrafted Matcha Bowl, painted elegantly by typical Kyo Yaki style... |
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[Limited] SABI YOHEN Matcha Starter Set: US$104.00 (Now Available)
This Starter Set is the minimum set including only the essential tea ware for a perfect bowl of Matcha. SABI YOHEN handcrafted Matcha Bowl and KUROCHIKU Bamboo Whisk create the WABI SABI atmosphere... |
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| Teapots / Cups shopping category: click here |
| Matcha Bowls / Accessories shopping category: click here |
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[Holiday Gift] Celebration Gifts in Japan
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In Japan, Japanese green tea is often presented as a gift to celebrate for following reasons. We give the gift of green tea for a good health and a long life of friends, family, or professional colleagues. It is perfect for any special or romantic occasion such as holidays, birthdays, Valentine's Day, weddings, or the purchase of a new home.
- Japanese green tea has been highly valued and treasured as a precious medicine for health and longevity since green tea was introduced to Japan in A.D. 805 by Buddhist monks.
- Beginning in A.D. 1738, Sohen Nagatani invented the Japanese green tea processing methods which are still used today to pick and prepare the leaves. Green tea has always been the most popular beverage in Japan, believed to contribute to health and well being. Today, we understand some of the reasons why green tea is so healthy. It is full of nutrients such as Catechin, Teanin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and many others.
- Tea trees are not deciduous; they do not loose their leaves. Even after continual harvesting, the tea trees sprout patiently and energetically, especially in spring. Tea trees are very strong and resilient and live for many years. That analogy transfers directly into the tea leaf and then into your tea cup providing you and your loved ones health and long life. |
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| Japanese green tea is often presented as a gift to celebrate |
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| Tea trees are very strong and resilient and live for many years. |
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| The Japanese green tea processing methods invented by Sohen Nagatani contributed to the popularization of Japanese tea. |
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(Notice 1) New Shopping Page Design
New shopping page design was recently implemented on our website. It enables you to change the shopping page to display our products as a vertical list of item details, or as horizontal rows of product image tiles, depending on how you prefer to shop. You also can sort our products by price, grade, popularity, and so on. We hope this will make your visit to our website even more enjoyable. Would you please try it and see? |
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(Notice 2) Price Reduction on All Merchandise (Sep. 5th)
We reduced our prices approximately 5% to 10%, averagely 8.5% on all merchandise on our website due to recent exchange rate fluctuation. The updated price
was effective on and after September 5, 2014. We will continuously make
efforts to provide genuine Japanese tea and culture to our customers. |
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