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 'The Jidai Matsuri festival' below after October 22.
Before that our Kuradashi Matcha which has been stored for over a year 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 Tea category)

In the present day, people are able to enjoy fresh Shincha tea flavor and aroma throughout the year almost the same as real Shincha, because preservation techniques and technology have made remarkable progress. In Japan, expertise and special facilities enable tea leaves to retain their freshness, so you can experience the taste and smell of newly-harvested Japanese green tea. And today, the fresh flavor and aroma can be enjoyed all over the world thanks to modern global economics, logistics, and transportation.

Long ago when these special storage facilities did not exist, people continuously tried to keep tea leaves in good condition and to deepen the flavor, but it was difficult. Inquiring minds in Kyoto, Japan developed and improved the farming and processing techniques suitable for Kuradashi Tea over many generations. The Kyoto region and Uji in particular have a very long history of green tea production. Tea trees were first planted in Uji, Kyoto around A.D. 1271, while other Japanese centers of tea production started more recently, less than 100 years ago. The farming and processing techniques, along with the tea ceremony, developed and perfected over time in Uji and the entire Kyoto region, are the longest and most highly-developed cultural traditions among all tea production centers in Japan.

We at Hibiki-an believe that Kuradashi Tea is one of life's best "slow foods" that anyone around the world can enjoy. The enriched flavor of Kuradashi Gyokuro is created by the distinctive regional traditional way, and takes time to perfect. Let's enjoy "slow life" with Kuradashi Tea.

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  The farming and processing techniques developed and perfected over time in Uji, Kyoto

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  Now anyone around the world can enjoy the enriched flavor of Kuradashi Tea created by the distinctive regional traditional way.

(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

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  Fertilized soil at the tea farm for "Honzu" canopy

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  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.

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  Brown color parts are damaged by TANSO disease.

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  Tea trees for hand-picked tea under ideal conditions. They grow straight upward without any branches.

Here in Kyoto, the tinted autumn leaves are quite beautiful. To deepen your green moment at such time, we would like to introduce three different ways to enhance your Kuradashi Tea brewing experience.

1. Brewing Process of Kuradashi Tea
   You can "slow-brew" Gyokuro or Sencha with lower temperature water for a longer time. Matcha may also be prepared with lower temperature water. In addition, this method can be used for Kuradashi teas. It enhances the soft and mellow characteristics of each tea and creates a more relaxing atmosphere as you wait for your tea to brew.
   
   - Gyokuro is usually brewed with 140-158F (60-70C) water for 1 1/2 to 2 min. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 131F (55C) for 2 to 2 1/2 min.
   - Sencha is usually brewed with 176F (80C) water for 1 min. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 167F (75C) for 1 1/2 min.
   - Matcha is usually prepared with 176F (80C) temperature water. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 158F (70C).
   
   
2. Brewing Process for Deeper Flavor
   To intensify the depth of flavor, you can increase the quantity of tea leaves or Matcha. Add an additional 25 - 30% tea leaves or Matcha and follow the brewing temperatures and times listed above for "softer, mellower flavor." The enhanced deep and mellow flavor intensifies the differences between and unique characteristics of each individual tea. In this case, you can brew Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha 4 times instead of 3 times in regular brewing.
   
   You can enjoy an amazing deep and mellow flavor by following this special method. It is nearly impossible to over-brew Kuradashi Tea (causing a bitter taste) because it's enriched for 1.5 years. In contrast, regular teas can become bitter if brewed this way.
   
   Would you try this special brewing process? You will certainly enjoy the complex and versatile Kuradashi Tea flavor.
   
   
3. Profound Effect by Tea Ware
   Special tea ware, such as handcrafted tea ware or Hohin teapot, also creates a different tea experience. The flavor and aroma of tea will subtly change, depending on the shape, size, thickness, and material (ceramic, porcelain, glass, etc.) of the vessel. In addition, the appearance of the tea ware has an effect on your perception of the experience. Handcrafted tea ware, especially earthenware is subtly different in individual details and has a special, personal warmth of the artisan. It is relaxing to gaze at handcrafted tea ware and enjoy Japanese tea leisurely. Hohin is a small size Kyusu teapot without a handle and is used to brew only the highest grade Uji tea. The size is usually 100ml (3.52fl oz) or more, and should be used together with small size Yunomi cups like 50ml (1.76fl oz) or more. It is a unique experience to brew high grade Japanese green tea by Hohin.
   
   In the case of Matcha, curious to say, the style of bowl has a profound effect on the tea drinking experience. The feel of holding the bowl in your hands, the texture of the smooth or rough ceramic on your mouth, and the visual appearance makes you experience the Matcha flavor differently. Would you try to prepare Kuradashi Matcha with a Matcha Bowl that differs from your everyday bowl? For example, Raku Yaki feels very soft and warm to the touch by hands or mouth, elegant painted Matcha Bowl soothes your eyes and heart, earthenware Matcha Bowl reminds you of the beauty and depth of clay, fire, and nature.
   
   

The three methods above can be tried separately or all together at once. The methods are not difficult to try, but the result provides a truly unique experience of flavor and atmosphere.

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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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  This tea farm 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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  Hand-picked tea is harvested by 10 to 30 people. In contrast, machine-trimmed tea is harvested by only 2 or 3 people.

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  Hand-picked tea harvest scene

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The Jidai Matsuri festival is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. It started in 1895 when Heian Jingu shrine was constructed on the 1,110-year anniversary of Kyoto's founding. Three religious ceremonies and opulent parades expressing culture, institutions and style of each era are held at the Jidai Matsuri festival. The Jidai Matsuri festival starts on October 15 and the main event parade is held on October 22, which celebrates the day in 794 when Emperor Kanmu founded the Miyako imperial capital in Kyoto.

Two-thousand people participate in the main event parade, the length of which is 2km (1.24miles). The parade is quite spectacular, so that the area along the road from GOSHO Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine is overwhelmed with domestic and international visitors. In total, about 20 parades, outfitting costumes of court nobles, SAMURAI warriors, and common people in each era from794 to the modern age, march 5km grandly at a leisurely pace. The parade takes approximately 2.5 hours.

If you visit Kyoto in autumn, we hope you can see this parade, which is said to be the epitome of Japanese history.

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  Two-thousand people participate in the main event parade, the length of which is 2km (1.24miles).

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  Meiji Restoration Soldiers Parade. Meiji Period (1868 to 1912)

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  Japanese Royalty and Women's Parade at Edo Period (1603 to 1868)

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  "KAGO" for Shogun Emperor of the Parade at Edo Period (1603 to 1868)

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  Parade of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 to 1598) meeting with the Ten noh emperor in 1596. Cow carriage was to follow the imperial court style.

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  A SHOHGUN of a general during Muromachi Period, marching with a bow and light armor (1336 to 1573).

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  SAMURAI DAISHOH of leader of a warrior during Kamakura Period (1192 to 1333), parading to the capital with gorgeous armor.

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  KUGYOH of the powerful aristocratic class person during Heian period, wearing an old costume of Japanese Court nobles (794 to 1185).

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  MIKOSHI vehicle for the Emperor. He takes this carriage and see the peaceful security of the town. (1.24miles).

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  Traditional dance and music performance in front of the MIKOSHI vehicle for the Emperor.

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  Children dancing GAGAKU Imperial Palace dance at the Heian period (794 to 1185)

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  Tomoe Gozen, a famous military commander during Heian Period (794 to 1185).

Many years ago in Japan, tea leaves were stored in a special ceramic jar for Kuradashi Matcha like the below pictures at early summer around June or July after the Matcha harvest was completely finished. The tea leaves stored in the jar are known as Tencha: tea leaves before being ground into the fine powder of Matcha. The jar was carefully stored following a specific process in order for the tea leaves to enrich and age in good condition. The jar was opened at Kuchikiri no Gi, a tea ceremony in mid autumn. Above is a series of the ceremony of Kuradashi Matcha.

- First, Tencha tea leaves (*) for the highest grade Matcha, like our Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle or Super Premium, were packaged in a bag made with Washi paper.
- The package was put into the jar in which Tencha (*) for high grade Matcha was stored.
- Then the jar was filled with Tencha (*) the high grade Matcha, like our Kuradashi Matcha Premium. And the mouth of the jar was sealed off with Washi paper and Japanese paste.
(*) Tencha: tea leaves before being ground into the fine powder of Matcha

In a small WASHI Japanese paper bag, as in the below picture, 20g (0.71oz) of the highest grade Matcha (for KOICHA / Thick Matcha) was packaged. Two or three of the WASHI Japanese paper bags package 20g of the highest grade Matcha and about 600g (21.26oz) of middle grade Matcha (for USUCHA / Thin Matcha) traditionally was placed in the jar. The amount was enough to serve KOICHA at approximately six tea ceremonies and to prepare 340 bowls of USUCHA. Certainly the tea masters cherished the jar of Kuradashi Matcha throughout the year. And great masters probably used up several jars of Kuradashi Matcha each year. (Our Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle and Super Premium are KOICHA grade.)

A special document of record known as OCHAIRE NIKKI was pasted on the back of the wooden storage box for the jar. This document shows detailed information about the green tea in the jar, such as the Grade of Tencha. The head of the tea ceremony recorded the date of harvest, the description and quantity of the green tea, and the date of packaging on the jar.

Until around mid 19th century Japan, the production of Matcha was monopolized by seven tea merchants in Uji, Kyoto. So the above process of storing tea in this special jar was allowed to only the seven tea merchants.
(Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle, Super Premium, and Premium are now available.)

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Aged and enriched Matcha known as Kuradashi Matcha is very special to all those who engage in tea ceremony. In the Japanese tea ceremony, even today, people celebrate aged Matcha in the ceremony called Kuchikiri no Gi every autumn. Traditionally, a special tea jar filled with Matcha was stored in a cool place like the top of a high mountain or in the ground after harvest until autumn. People would first enjoy that year's Matcha in the autumn after the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony. And it was said that when the jar lid was opened in autumn, the marvelous fragrant aroma was savored. Indeed, when we open a package of our special Kuradashi Matcha, here at Hibiki-an, that has been aged for more than one year, the aroma is so amazing that there are no words to describe it.

To correctly age Kuradashi Matcha, there are many rules and special procedures one must follow.
Tea leaves should be stored not in powder form, but as Tencha. Tea leaves before they are ground into fine powder, but after stems and veins are removed, are known as Tencha. For Kuradashi Matcha, the Tencha is ground into powder by a stone mill called Ishiusu just before it is shipped to the customer. The reason for this is because when Matcha is ground into a fine powder, it deteriorates more easily than tea leaves such as Gyokuro and Sencha due to the fact that there is more surface area exposed to the air. If one tried to age Matcha powder for more than one year, as we do with Tencha for Kuradashi Matcha, it would not enrich but just deteriorate.

In order to age and enrich well, tea leaves need air, oxygen. The Tencha tea leaves are stored in open, unsealed foil bags in a special refrigerator that is somewhat cool, but not too cold. We keep a flow of fresh air constantly circulating through the refrigerator, allowing oxygen to mix with the tea. In this way, the tea leaves are allowed to breathe over time and enrich.

When Tencha is ground in the stone mill known as Ishiusu, the temperature is 60 to 70C (140 to 158F). The moderate heat deepens the mellow taste of the Kuradashi Matcha. The stone mill can grind only 70g (2.5oz) per hour. It takes a long time to grind the Tencha into Matcha, therefore some tea companies have several stone mills, which are very expensive and require a huge space. Though today's stone mill is turned by an electric motor, not by hand, most parts of today's stone mill are quite the same as the traditional stone mill of many years ago. Even today, the grooves of the great stones used in the mill which grind the tea are hand-carved by skilled craftsmen.
Today many manufactures tend to use power disintegrator machines to create Matcha, as it is much more efficient than traditional stone mills. Middle and low grade Matcha is often made using a power disintegrator machine. Only high and highest grade Matcha, such as our Kuradashi Matcha, is ground by traditional stone mill to deepen the mellow taste.

As above, to create the unique and subtle mellow flavor of Kuradashi Matcha, which enhances in the mouth and lingers for a while, a great deal of time and care are devoted not only to growing tea at the tea farm but also to the special process to turn fresh tea leaves into perfectly-aged Kuradashi Matcha.

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  Tea leaves of aged Tencha just before ground

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  Matcha grinding factory

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  Today's stone mill turned by an electric motor

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  Traditional stone mill turned by hand

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  Grinding into Matcha with the traditional stone mill

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  Even today stone mills are hand-carved by skilled craftsmen

Though today some Gyokuro lovers enjoy newly harvested Gyokuro, it is the traditional wisdom that Matcha and Gyokuro generally gain an enriched flavor and sweetness over time, and are best some months after harvest.

In the Japanese tea ceremony, even today people celebrate aged Matcha in the ceremony called Kuchikiri no Gi every autumn. Kuchikiri no Gi means the ceremony of opening a special jar of tea. Matcha and Gyokuro used to be placed in a tea jar. This tea jar was then sealed and stored in a cool place like the top of a high mountain or in the ground after harvest until autumn. People would first enjoy that year's Matcha and Gyokuro in the autumn after the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony. And it was said that when the jar lid first opened in autumn, the marvelous fragrant smell was savored. It was said that the smell was so amazing that there were no words to describe it, and it had to be experienced firsthand.

Today the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony is still held by the local tea industry and a school of Teaism at Kohshoh Temple in Uji on the first Sunday of October every year in order to honor the forerunners who contributed to developing Japanese tea culture.

The ceremony is thus followed:
- Water is gathered by ladle from the river at Uji Bridge in the way of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, kanpaku (powerful ruler) in Japan, who supported Rikyu Sen to indurate Teaism. He always used the water from Uji Bridge every day in order to prepare his Matcha. The water gathering is called Kumiage no Gi drawing water ceremony.
- The water is solemnly and mindfully carried to Kohshoh Temple.
- The tea jar which was filled with tea leaves and sealed in the harvest season is opened according to traditional procedure.
- Matcha is prepared by the present head of the school of Teaism.
- A bowl of Matcha is offered before the tablet of the ancestors who contributed to developing Japanese tea culture.
- Buddhist rite for used tea whisks is held after the Kuchikiri no Gi ceremony.

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  Hauling water out from the Uji river at the Uji bridge

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  Carrying the water from the Uji river to Kohshoh Templ

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  The ceremony has just started

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  Opening the tea jar

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  The jar is filled with Tencha tea leaves and higher grade Tencha leaves are packed in WASHI Japanese traditional paper.

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  Traditional stone mill turned by hand, and matcha just after ground. The matcha is quite beautiful and bright green color.

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  Grinding tencha into matcha

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  Offering the matcha before the tablet of the ancestors

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  Traditional stone mill after the ceremony

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  Traditional jar used for the ceremony

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  Kohshoh Temple

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  Used chasen to the flames to show their gratitude

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It has been said since olden days that fine Gyokuro and Matcha gain an enriched flavor and deep noble aroma and sweetness over time, and so are best some months and up to two years after harvest. Not all green tea is suitable for this process, and only certain types of high-quality Uji tea produce the finest Kuradashi Gyokuro.
From a scientific standpoint, Japanese tea does not age in the same way as fine wine, and of course it does not become alcoholic. However, it is an indisputable fact that certain Japanese tea, specific breeds of high-quality Uji tea, gain an enriched flavor by a special traditional aging process.
We would like to explain more about Kuradashi Gyokuro. What flavor is created? What type of Japanese tea gains the flavor? And what is the aging procedure?

The features of green tea enriched and aged in good condition are:
- Deepened and gained smoothness and sweetness of flavor.
- Created and gained subtle enriched and noble aroma.
- Softened and rounded refreshing aroma, in contrast to Shincha's usual brisk and refreshing aroma.

All tea does not gain the enriched flavor. Only tea leaves which meet the following criteria can possibly gain an enriched flavor:
- Fresh, high-quality, and smooth-tasting tea leaves harvested at well-managed tea farms.
- Tea grown carefully in the shade by "Tana" (not "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.
- At processing, the tea must not be heavily steamed. However, farmers tend to steam tea leaves for Gyokuro more heavily to produce tea with a deep, smooth taste and vivid green color. Such Gyokuro can not be aged well.
Tea leaves meeting the above criteria are just a small portion of the highest quality tea leaves harvested in Uji, Kyoto. Tea leaves that do not meet these criteria just deteriorate when aged.

However, even with the correct type of tea leaves, it is not an easy task to properly age green tea.
Tea leaves are usually packaged in aluminum foil bags filled with nitrogen in order to keep fresh flavor through the year. And they are stored in a special refrigerator.
To create Kuradashi Gyokuro, the green tea must be allowed to "breathe". Over a period of time, the oxygen has an effect on the green tea which creates the enriched flavor. If the tea is aged by an inappropriate procedure or inappropriate type tea is aged, it will simply deteriorate.
In order to age and enrich well, tea leaves need air, oxygen. Though we put tea leaves in a foil bag, we don't seal the bag. The tea is carefully placed in a traditional wooden box (like below picture) in the special refrigerator. To enrich, the temperature in the refrigerator also should not be too cold. The air circulates in the bag, wooden box, and the refrigerator, allowing a flow of oxygen to constantly mix with the tea. In this way, the tea leaves are allowed to breathe over time.
However, because the bag is not sealed, and the temperature in the refrigerator is not so cold, tea leaves can easily deteriorate by absorbing moisture or odor. Therefore we always pay the closest attention to the tea leaves to ensure their perfection.

As above, it is not easy to enrich Gyokuro well, so many wholesalers and retailers these days are not willing to accept risks in order to enrich Gyokuro. However, the enriched flavor and subtle noble aroma and sweetness of Kuradashi Gyokuro are more than someone can dream. Would you enjoy it once?

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  Shaded from sunlight by way of 'Tana' before harvest

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  Shaded from sunlight by way of 'Jikagise' before harvest

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  Gyokuro Processing factory using very traditional machines

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  Tea leaves processed for Kuradashi Gyokuro by traditional way. Traditional processing way amazingly takes a lot of time.

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  Just one person operate modern processing facilities which capacity is about four times as large as this traditional facilities. In contrast that, five to seven persons work in the traditional factory which capacity is small.

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  Kuradashi teas put in wooden box are enriched in the special cold storage chamber.

Our Kuradashi Gyokuro (mainly Pinnacle and Super Premium) is processed at an extremely traditional facility with great care and consideration.

Our hand-picked fresh tea leaves are processed with a small capacity processing machine. The processing capacity is 35kg (15.9lb) of raw, fresh tea leaves per batch, which is much less than the typical processing capacity today. The typical processing capacity is 60kg (27.2lb), 120kg (54.4lb) or more. The processed tea leaves become roughly one-fifth of the weight of the original fresh tea leaves. The small capacity machine can produce just 7kg (3.2lb) or less per batch in 4 hours. Using such a small capacity machine, farmers can process the tea in a careful and conscientious manner.

An Aracha processing facility is usually run by one person. But, our hand-picked fresh tea leaves are processed at a facility run by a skilled team. The small capacity processing machine is operated by three people, while two others sort the tea leaves by hand.

Much time and effort are invested in processing the Aracha tea leaves for our Kuradashi Gyokuro. It is often said that Gyokuro tea leaves are like Diamonds.

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  Tea leaves are carried immediately after harvest and are steamed.

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  Steaming time and intensity are adjusted according to the condition of the tea leaves.

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  After being steamed, the tea leaves turn a beautiful green color.

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  Primary rolling and drying.

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  Crumple the tea leaves further to reduce water content.

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  The tea leaves are further dried and shaped.

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  The well-used machines have seen the history of tea.

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  Place in a dryer to further reduce the water content.

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  There is a nice aroma of tea leaves in the air.

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  Tea leaves are sorted through a sieve.

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  Finally, tea leaves are carefully sorted by hand.

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  Tools that have been carefully used for a long time.

The mornings and evenings are now getting cool here in Ujitawara, Kyoto. Curious to say, the first hints of autumn coolness indeed make the flavor and warmth of hot tea even more inviting and desirable.

This year the lingering summer heat is the most severe in the past 5 years. For example, even the morning and evening temperatures are still a little higher than average this year. In contrast, we have received plenty of rainfall over the summer, especially during the TSUYU rainy season. Therefore, the condition of the tea trees is relatively good, and there is now hardly any HAYAKE leaf scald damage at our tea farms. We farmers expect a heavy crop of tea next spring.

Summer flowers have finished blooming and autumn flowers are beginning to appear. The seven autumn wild flowers, loved by tea masters for generations, are blooming. Autumn fruit trees such as persimmon are starting to produce green fruits that will soon ripen to a beautiful orange color, a symbol of autumn.
Major insects at our tea farms have been changing too. Summer insects such as spider, ladybird, mantis, and so on, decreased sharply in number, while autumn insects such as red dragonfly and brown locust have made their appearance.

In Ujitawara, Kyoto, the low temperatures have been around 66F or 72F (19C or 22C) with high temperatures of 82F or 92F (28C or 33C) this past week. Though this year's lingering summer heat has been intense, recent cool mornings and nights suddenly make us feel a desire for Kuradashi tea..

Kuradashi teas, which have been enriched in wooden boxes in the granary for 1.5 years, since last May, are almost ready. Kuradashi teas have a deepened mellow and sweet taste and enhanced subtle noble aroma. We will begin to offer these limited edition teas within the next 10 days. Please wait and see! (We are now accepting pre-orders for Kuradashi Gyokuro and Kuradashi Sencha.)

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  Sky has changed to autumn tone.

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  Silver grass is part of autumn seven flowers which have been loved by tea masters for generations.

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  Murmur of a brook makes felt coolness in autumn.

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  Summer flowers are disappearing.
  KUZU arrowroot. One of Seven Autumn Wild Flowers, loved by ancient tea masters.

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  As soon as coming Autumn, many kinds of insects appear.

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  Hearing autumn insects like cricket, bell bugs, and so on chirping.
  The leaves will start coloring in the autumn red and gold soon.

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  Cosmos flowers near by our tea farm.

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  Kuradashi teas have been enriched for 1.5 years.

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!

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  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.

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  Tea trees, which are innately strong against bad weather conditions, overcame this severe climate.

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  Taking a break near on tea leaf.
  Insects hardly appear at this time due to this year's intense lingering summer heat.

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  Unripe persimmon fruits, which look like pecked by wild bird.

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  It's relatively cool today because of YUDACHI shower. (28C / 84F at 10:00AM on Aug. 20)
  Autumn is almost around the corner.

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  Our Kuradashi teas have been aged in the granary by the traditional way since last year's May.

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  Kuradashi teas enriched in wooden boxes.

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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Do you know Kuradashi Tea? In contrast to Sencha, which is enjoyed for its refreshing aroma immediately after harvest, Gyokuro and Matcha gain an enriched flavor and deep noble aroma and sweetness over time, and therefore are best some months after harvest. A long time ago, people celebrated aged Gyokuro and Matcha in autumn, just as Shincha is celebrated in spring. This special autumn tea was called Kuradashi Tea, meaning tea taken out from the granary. Our Kuradashi Tea is aged in the granary for more than 1.5 years.

Today's Japanese tea lovers favor both fresh Gyokuro and Matcha, and enriched Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha. It just depends on each person's individual taste and preference to know which kind will be their favorite. However, it is more and more difficult to find real enriched Kuradashi Tea even in Japan. It is not easy to enrich and sweeten Gyokuro and Matcha. If one doesn't keep a close watch over their Kuradashi Tea, it will easily deteriorate. Like a fine wine, aged tea can easily pass from a state of being deliciously enriched to a state of being deteriorated.
Besides, all Gyokuro and Matcha do not gain an enriched flavor but only specific kinds of Gyokuro and Matcha. It depends on some factors, such as the breed of tea leaves, how the sunlight is shaded, management of fertilizer and nutrients, the processing procedure, and so on.
Therefore many wholesalers and retailers these days are not willing to accept risks in order to create Kuradashi Tea.
Since we at Hibiki-an, understand the traditional way of aging Kuradashi Tea properly, we are happy to be able to provide you with Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha. We would like Japanese tea lovers around the world to be able to experience the remarkable and noble enriched and sweetened flavor and aroma of true Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha.

Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha, which are aged in the granary for more than 1.5 years, are different from ordinary Gyokuro and Matcha in aroma and flavor, so it may be enjoyable for you to compare this tea with regular Gyokuro and Matcha. The superb enriched and sweetened flavor and aroma of this special tea lingers in the mouth for a while. The aroma is full, but not too strong. The flavor is richer and subtle. The taste is both mellow and enhanced.

Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha can best be described in the same way a fine wine is described and enjoyed by connoisseurs. Like Pinot Noir red wine, Kuradashi Gyokuro and Matcha are amazingly full flavored with hints of woody spices, sweet fruits, and nuts, as well as oak, earth, leaves, and grass. It is difficult to describe this remarkably delicious tea and just must be experienced firsthand!

Harvest in May

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Enriched by the traditional way

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Tasting

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Kuradashi Tea: Now Available!

Kuradashi Teas are enriched in the granary like fine wine. The superb enriched and sweetened flavor and aroma lingers in the mouth for a while.
Usually Kuradashi tea is prepared the same way as regular Gyokuro, Sencha, and Matcha. Another way to enjoy Kuradashi tea is to prepare it so that it has a softer, mellower taste. In this case, we recommend you prepare Kuradashi tea with a little lower temperature water.

1. Brewing Process:

- Kuradashi Gyokuro
Kuradashi Gyokuro is brewed using the same method as regular Gyokuro: 140-158F (60-70C) water for 1 1/2 to 2 min. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 131F (55C) for 2 to 2 1/2 min.
(For 2 cups) Tea leaves: 1 1/2 tablespoons (7 - 8g), Water amount: 200ml (7.04fl oz)

- Kuradashi Sencha
Kuradashi Sencha is brewed using the same method as regular Sencha: 176F (80C) water for 1 min. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 167F (75C) for 1 1/2 min.
(For 2 cups) Tea leaves: 1 1/2 tablespoons (7 - 8g), Water amount: 200ml (7.04fl oz)

- Kuradashi Matcha
Kuradashi Matcha is prepared using 176F (80C) temperature water, the same as regular Matcha. For a softer, mellower flavor, use lower temperature water: 158F (70C).
(For a bowl of Matcha) Matcha: 2 Chashaku or 1 teaspoon, Water amount: 70ml (2.46fl oz)

2. Brewing Process for Deeper Flavor:

- Kuradashi Gyokuro, Kuradashi Sencha, and Kuradashi Matcha
Add an additional 25 - 30% tea leaves and follow the brewing temperatures and times listed above for "softer, mellower flavor." In this case, you can brew Kuradashi Gyokuro and Sencha 4 times instead of 3 times in regular brewing.

You can enjoy an amazing deep and mellow flavor by following this special method. It is nearly impossible to over-brew Kuradashi Tea (causing a bitter taste) because it's enriched for 1.5 years. In contrast, regular teas can become bitter if brewed this way.
Would you try this special brewing process? You will certainly enjoy the complex and versatile Kuradashi Tea flavor.

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

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$32.00 (Now Available)
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...

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Super Premium Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$80.00 (Now Available)
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...

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$24.00 (Now Available)
Tea leaves for Kuradashi Matcha Premium are highest grade tea trimmed by machine and grown in Uji region, Kyoto. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Premium Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$60.00 (Now Available)
This Kuradashi Matcha Premium Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 17%. Tea leaves for Kuradashi Matcha Premium are highest grade tea trimmed by machine and grown in Uji region, Kyoto. The smooth and mellow taste is uniquely brought out by the special drying process...

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle (30g/1.06oz): US$37.00 (Now Available)
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...

[Limited] Kuradashi Matcha Pinnacle Refill (120g/4.23oz): US$119.00 (Now Available)
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...