Hi everyone! New seasonal cycle of Japanese Tea has been started. As summer approaches in Japan now, the air becomes warm, and nature is enveloped in vibrant new greenery. Trees and flowers flourish with vitality, creating a refreshing season for both the eyes and the spirit. During this time, tea farms begin to flourish with new shoots. The tea fields, spread amidst the verdant landscape, delight the eyes with their lush scenery and soothe the soul. And from these new shoots, delicious tea is born.
IN APRIL…
The beautiful new shoots of the first tea begin to bud, and the rows of tea farms start to change to a shining young leaf color. Once the new shoots have grown to a certain extent, covering begins, so from around mid-April, black coverings become noticeable in the lower-altitude tea fields in the town center. The coverings are removed after one to three weeks, and then the new shoots are immediately harvested.
IN MAY…
It is the season of new tea when the harvest of the first tea reaches its peak. In Uji, since the production of Tencha (The raw material of Matcha Powder) is increasing, a considerable portion is covered with sheets during this period. Depending on the location, entire tea farms of black color may appear. However, understanding the reason for covering, you can appreciate and enjoy the developed landscape of this livelihood, finding depth in its appearance. The contrast between the black covering, the brown color of the branches after harvest, the green color of the leaves, and the young leaf color of the sencha (steeped green tea) fields makes this season the most visually captivating of the year. Please savor the unique aroma of new tea during this period.
IN JUNE…
Following the peak of May, the livelihood season continues in Uji. It is the season of finishing the harvest of the first tea, pruning the rows, and the growth, covering, and harvest of the second tea new shoots. Like May, it is a season where you can feel the varied changes in the tea industry. Typically, the coverings begin to disappear by the end of July, and the tea farms in Wazuka Town return to a green landscape.
IN AUGUST – SEPTEMBER…
Just a bit more until the second tea. The tea farms are mostly green. The strong sunlight creates shadows that enhance the beauty of the tea fields, making this period ideal for enjoying the contrast between the blue sky and the tea fields. Around mid-September, the rice plants spread across the plains turn yellow (as the autumn tea starts in October, rice harvesting is early), creating a stunning contrast with the deep green mountainous tea gardens.
IN OCTOBER – NOVEMBER…
It is the season of harvesting autumn tea. From mid-October onwards, when the average daily temperature drops below 20 degrees Celsius, the growth of the evergreen tea trees stops. Pruning of the tea fields begins at this time, shaping the rows sharply and presenting an appearance akin to an artistic masterpiece. This landscape can be enjoyed until the arrival of spring. The pruning of the rows is a technique to avoid incorporating old leaves during the harvest of spring new shoots, showcasing functional beauty. The low sunlight also adds deep shadows, making this period also recommendable. Cute white tea flowers begin to bloom, and the tea fields illuminated by sunlight sparkle like jewels.
By understanding the seasonal cycle of Japanese tea, you can deeply enjoy a variety of Japanese teas even more in the future!
In Yamasan, we have various kinds of loose leaf tea, matcha powder and other tea related products. So if you would like to know more about Japanese Tea, please feel free to let us know! 🙂
