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!

At last Kuradashi Matcha is now available!
The Jidai Matsuri festival will be held at Kyoto city on October 22. For more information, please see above 'The Jidai Matsuri festival' after October 22.
Our Kuradashi Matcha which has been stored for over 1.5 years was taken out from the granary. We have arranged three grades of limited edition Kuradashi Matcha as described below. They are limited edition of 850 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this autumn season. And Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha teas are still available.
Celebrate Kuradashi Teas 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