Charm of Sayama-tea
Color is Shizuoka, Aroma is Uji, but Taste is best with Sayama-tea.
This is the lyrics of an old song “Sayama Tea Raising Song(Iruma Area)”.
We have heard this song for many years, but the source is unclear.
One theory is that it is a proverb passed down in Iruma area. Another theory is that it was written for tea makers to promote Sayama-tea. This theory may not be false.
What the above song says is not proved based on scientific data. But in recent years, studies have been carried out on the components of tea.
The reason for the perfect flavor of Sayama-tea: all the processes of tea production, from tea cultivation to marketing, are managed by one farm.
Sayama-tea has been praised in a local song like ”Taste is best with Sayama-tea.” All the processes of tea production(from growing tea leaves to marketing) are completely done by one tea farm. The system of “home cultivation, home processing, home marketing” is quite rare in Japan. The farmers have their tea gardens close to their homes or tea factories, not farther than 500 meters.
Tea leaves start to ferment and emit heat soon after picking. Since the tea gardens are close to the factories, Sayama-tea farms can go into steaming process, suppressing the fermentation, and heating. It greatly affects the quality of tea. We can say that near zero food mileage is the greatest merit of Sayama-tea.
Also, Sayama exists in the most northern part of Japan as a tea producer. Therefore, Sayama-tea leaves are said to be thicker than the others. Because leaves are thick, Sayama-tea may contain more components than others.
Sayama-tea is a vast storehouse of Single Origin Tea.
In Sayama, there are many kinds of Single Variety tea produced by specific tea farms. It is said that there are more than 100 kinds of variety tea, but we give the name “single variety tea” only when the tea is solely made of single variety tea by a particular farm.
The same variety tea turns out to be different in taste if it is cultivated or processed by a different farm. Therefore, we stick to single variety tea produced by specific farms in our products.
Each single origin tea, naturally, contains different components, and has different flavor and aroma. You can find out what is your favorite tea. If you understand the differences, you can make your favorite blended tea.
Okuharuka is said to have cherry leaves aroma because it is a little rich in coumarin.
And Toyoka, Hokumei, Sayamakaori are said to be strong in bitterness and astringency because they contain more catechin than others. Fukumidori is strong in umami because of the richness in theanine.
It means each variety has its unique individuality.
Here we must add that it is difficult to describe the amounts of chemical components clearly because the figures change depending on the picking time and year. This change makes it a greater pleasure to find your favorite variety and appreciate annual difference. Your tea life will be even more luxurious.
Pick up Articles
The Origin of Sayama-tea
Sayama-tea is said to have been drunk since the ancient times of around 1200. Sayama-tea is also praised in a song like, “Taste is best with Sayama-tea.” We will explain the origin and the features of Sayama-tea.
What is Single Variety Tea?
Single variety tea describes one of the most important characteristics of Sayama-tea. What is single variety tea?
How to make and drink delicious Sayama-tea
We will explain the proper water temperature and infusing time so that you can make the most delicious Sayama-tea.
What is Fukamushi(Deep Steaming) Sencha?
We will explain what is fukamushi(deep steaming) sencha. You may believe you know what it is, but, in fact, you may not know it. Different names are given to tea depending on its steaming time while being processed.
What is Japanese black tea?
Japanese black tea is produced in Japan.
Our Japanese black tea ( Wakocha ) is made from the same tea leaves as Sencha ( Japanese green tea ).
What is Smoked tea?
This is a smoked black tea smoked with chips from the whisky maturation barrels of the
Chichibu distillery in Saitama Prefecture...