Organic black tea

Organic Japanese black tea from the mountains of Ukiha in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Through our friends at Amayama Organic Life, we discovered a boutique producer in Ukiha. The Higuchi family is now in its third generation of tea production and is fully dedicated to organic cultivation. In the mountains of Ukiha, the family cultivates various tea cultivars according to organic farming principles.

What we find especially interesting about this boutique producer is not only their natural approach to cultivation, but also the great diversity of cultivars they work with. This allows them to produce not only classic Japanese green teas, but also unique specialities such as this Japanese black tea.

This organic Wakoucha is made from the Fujimidori cultivar. The tea leaves are carefully picked and slowly oxidised so that their natural sweetness and fine aroma can fully develop. Compared to stronger black teas from India or Sri Lanka, this Japanese black tea is softer, rounder and more approachable.

In the cup, it is pleasantly mild, with a natural sweetness, very little bitterness and a subtle umami note in the background. The aroma is reminiscent of honey, ripe fruit and gentle malt notes, while remaining clear and elegant. A beautiful tea for anyone who enjoys black tea but is looking for a softer and more subtle version.

Thanks to its BOP processing, the tea releases its aroma quickly into the water and is very suitable for classic preparation in a teapot. Even when slightly cooled, it remains pleasantly sweet and aromatic.

Japanese Organic Black Tea

Japanese black tea, also known as Wakoucha, is still a small speciality outside Japan. While Japan is mainly known for green tea, teas like this show that Japanese tea leaves can also develop a very distinctive character as black tea: mild, sweetish, clean and with elegant depth.

An uncomplicated, aromatic organic black tea from Ukiha that can be enjoyed pure or paired with small sweets.

Harvest season: Spring
Aroma: Mild, sweetish, fruity and slightly malty
Terroir: Ukiha, Fukuoka prefecture, Japan
Varietal: Fujimidori
Steaming: none
Preparation: In this blog post you will find a description of how to brew Japanese green tea in an optimal way.