![[Limited] Snacks / Candy](./images/seasonal_topics/Banner_Autumn24.jpg "[Limited] Snacks / Candy")
Tasting Sets (This Month's Tea)End of Summer and Kuradashi Teas (Around Aug. 23)
This year's TSUYU rainy season started around June 21, which is 15 days later than usual, and the end of the TSUYU rainy season came around July 21, which is a few days later than usual. So, this year's TSUYU rainy season was 13 days shorter than a typical rainy season in Japan. Though we farmers really worried about the lack of rainfall this summer, fortunately, we had many rainy days mainly in June. The rainfall amount during the TSUYU rainy season was more than usual.
In August, the summer heat was intense all over Japan. In a few areas, the temperature reached more than 40C (104F) and broke the record for the highest temperature. Even Kyoto reached above 38C (100F). The past couple of years have been extremely hot.
Fortunately, the amount of rainfall from June to August has been adequate, and actually, a little more than usual in total. But only some areas received rain in the first half of August. As a result, some tea trees have HAYAKE leaf scorch. However, most of the trees have only minor damage, not critical damage.
Overall, this summer was not too severe for tea trees. The conditions were actually rather good for tea trees, though tea trees are innately strong against bad weather conditions.
The weather typically starts getting cooler in the early morning and at night in Ujitawara, Kyoto around August 15, after the OBON religious festival. The weather forecast says that this coming September will be a bit hotter than usual and will have the same amount of rainfall as usual. Tea trees need plenty of rainfall in autumn. It greatly affects the next year's Shincha harvest. Farmers pray that the much-anticipated autumn rain will bring vitality to the tea trees.
Autumn is going to be on its way soon and so are our seasonal autumn Kuradashi teas. Following traditional methods, our Kuradashi teas have been enriched in wooden boxes in the granary for one and a half years, since last May, and will be ready in a few more weeks.
The deepened mellow and noble flavor of enriched Kuradashi Gyokuro and Kuradashi Matcha will be available in mid-autumn. Please wait and see!
In August, the summer heat was intense all over Japan. In a few areas, the temperature reached more than 40C (104F) and broke the record for the highest temperature. Even Kyoto reached above 38C (100F). The past couple of years have been extremely hot.
Fortunately, the amount of rainfall from June to August has been adequate, and actually, a little more than usual in total. But only some areas received rain in the first half of August. As a result, some tea trees have HAYAKE leaf scorch. However, most of the trees have only minor damage, not critical damage.
Overall, this summer was not too severe for tea trees. The conditions were actually rather good for tea trees, though tea trees are innately strong against bad weather conditions.
The weather typically starts getting cooler in the early morning and at night in Ujitawara, Kyoto around August 15, after the OBON religious festival. The weather forecast says that this coming September will be a bit hotter than usual and will have the same amount of rainfall as usual. Tea trees need plenty of rainfall in autumn. It greatly affects the next year's Shincha harvest. Farmers pray that the much-anticipated autumn rain will bring vitality to the tea trees.
Autumn is going to be on its way soon and so are our seasonal autumn Kuradashi teas. Following traditional methods, our Kuradashi teas have been enriched in wooden boxes in the granary for one and a half years, since last May, and will be ready in a few more weeks.
The deepened mellow and noble flavor of enriched Kuradashi Gyokuro and Kuradashi Matcha will be available in mid-autumn. Please wait and see!
 Tea trees under the TANA canopy are shaded sparsely to avoid intense heat. |
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 These tea leaves are unfortunately partially damaged by the intense heat. Yet, new sprouts will grow vigorously, even on these tea trees, next spring because of their innate hardiness, and appropriate management from the tea farmer. |
 Tea trees, which are innately strong against bad weather conditions, overcame this severe climate. |
 Taking a break near on tea leaf. Insects hardly appear at this time due to this year's intense lingering summer heat. |
 Unripe persimmon fruits, which look like pecked by wild bird. |
 It's relatively cool today because of YUDACHI shower. (28C / 84F at 10:00AM on Aug. 20) Autumn is almost around the corner. |
 Our Kuradashi teas have been aged in the granary by the traditional way since last year's May. |
 Kuradashi teas enriched in wooden boxes. |
Kuradashi Tea
We are planning to sell three limited edition Kuradashi Gyokuro, one Kuradashi Sencha, and three Kuradashi Matcha only available mid-autumn. Please wait and see!
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