Kamairicha 2024

The Garden

Located in Miyazaki prefecture in the centre of Kyushu Island, Miyazaki Garden was founded in 1930, and has been farming naturally for the last 30 years. The garden was formally organic certified in 2001. They share our philosophy of batch production and provenance.

Miyazaki Garden specialises in Kamairicha teas. When green teas are made, they must be heated. Heating keeps the tea green by stopping the PPO enzyme from turning the leaf brown. In Japan, green teas are usually steamed. Kamairicha, however, is not steamed but dry-heated like a Chinese or Indian green. This is very unusual in Japan.

This Batch

This batch is a single-varietal Kamairicha, made from the Minekaori tea varietal. The tea was grown in the sun and dry-fired to keep the leaves green.

Tasting Notes

This tea opens with sweet spring and eastern vegetal notes, followed by hints of popcorn and toasted rice. When infused properly, there are very few tannins. The flavour is delicious and very moreish.

Infuse at 3g per 150ml (teacup size) at 70C  for 1-3 mins. Although this is not a shaded tea, I also like this tea infused like a Kabusecha using 6g at 40C for 3 mins.

Storage and Ageing

Store this tea in a cool dry place. It should be on good form for about three years from picking.