Let’s discover Japanese black teas

Rare teas with a delicate and fruity taste that only Japanese black tea possesses

Japan does not produce only green teas, as many people think. It also produces a few oolongs and a few black teas. Both are hard to find, especially in the US market, but absolutely interesting because of the taste their infusion develops. During our recent travels in search of new teas to taste, we were fascinated by two teas in particular: Yakushima organic Japanese black tea and Kawanabe organic tea. Their taste is milder and fruitier than regular black teas, something you are unlikely to have experienced before.

Peculiarities of Japanese black teas: Yakushima and Kawenabe

These peculiarities are due to several reasons:

• The cultivar from which the two teas come: “Bennifuki”
• The oxidation to which the leaves are exposed is not total but only partial
• The area from which they come is surrounded by nature and close to the sea

Kawanabe black tea comes from the province of the same name located in the far south of the Japanese island. Its infusion has a fruity note that lies between peach and grape, with jasmine-type floral hints. Yakushima black tea has a golden color in the cup and is more floral than the former, slightly more delicate. It comes from a small island south of Kagoshima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fujiwara family grows this tea in a mix of tradition and innovation, having all obtained organic certifications.

How to prepare Yakushima and Kawenabe Japanese black teas

For the preparation of these rare teas we definitely recommend a low fixed residue water, start by trying 2 min infusions with 2g of leaves. If you find it too mild increase the infusion time to 3 and then 4 min. Therefore, choose the time that best suits your taste. Try not to let the liquid become too bitter because you will miss the more floral notes of these incredible black teas from Japan. Remember that while you are drinking you should simultaneously inhale some air (as you do in wine and oil tastings), it will help you perceive the nuances much more intensely.