Description
NEW - Organic Benifuuki WaKoucha (Japanese Black Tea) 2023 1st Harvest.
Origin: Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Cultivar: Benifuuki
Japanese Black Tea, or WaKoucha (literally "red tea,") is not nearly as well-known as Japanese Green Tea, even though black tea has been produced in Japan since the late 1800's as an export item to Europe and the United States. The Benifuuki varietal is a cross between Assamica and Sinensis varieties, and is well-suited to creating a uniquely Japanese black tea. This one from Yakushima has a lovely brick red color, is very smooth with mellow caramel notes and a slightly sweet finish. The level of astringency is relatively low compared to non-Japanese black teas, so it can be enjoyed with or without milk and sugar, or even iced. We hope you will enjoy this unique Japanese tea.
Yakushima Island's relative isolation about 65 km off Kyushu has recently encouraged many tea growers there to practice organic farming. Much of Yakushima Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well known for its ancient forests that are home to old growth (some 1,000 - 4,000 years old!) sugi (cryptomeria) trees, as well as Rhododendron, and the rare Yakushima White Pine. The island is also home to the largest nesting ground in the North Pacific for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle. It is truly a magical place, and we are pleased to be able to offer Yakushima tea as an organic option to our customers.