Our Wakoucha Organic Japanese Black Tea was grown in Fujieda, Shizouka prefecture and is an extraordinary example of rare Japanese black teas. The liquor is a clean amber red opening up to a sweet and floral aroma and taste with notes of chrysanthemum and clove leaving a lingering floral finish.
While green tea is the most common type of tea known in Japan, the country has actually produced black tea since the 19th century. Our Organic Wakoucha is grown by Iizuka-san, a passionate 3rd generation tea farmer whose family is a pioneer of organic tea farming in Japan, having started using organic farming techniques nearly 50 years ago. The best Wakoucha comes from the 2nd flush which is the time of year when the tea plants are hit the hardest by pests. Because of that and the fact that Wakoucha has to wait for a year to develop its best flavor, large quantities of this premium Organic Wakoucha are hard to come by.
Ingredients: Artisan organic black tea
Origin: Fujieda, Shizouka prefecture, Japan
Water Temperature: 195 to 205 degrees
Water Quality: Best with Spring Water
Amount of Leaf (per 6 fl oz water): 2-tsp.(2.5 grams)
Steep Time: 2--4 minutes
Number of Infusions: 1
When measuring it is best to weigh your tea. (I use a small pocket scale. We have a few or you can get good inexpensive scales at Old Will Knotts) Measuring volume with a teaspoon or tablespoon is not accurate because whole leaf teas take up much more space than broken, graded teas.
We highly recommend brewing your tea in a teapot or mug with a removable infuser so that you can remove the leaves at the end of the steeping time. Whole leaf teas of this quality need room to unfurl and expand in the water in order to perform their "magic." However, leaving the tea leaves in the water will result in an over-infused, bitter tea. If you want a stronger cup of tea increase the amount of leaf rather than the steeping time. If you don't have a removable infuser, you can brew the loose leaves directly in the pot. At the end of the steeping time, pour all of the tea into a warm serving pitcher or pot.
