Organic Tea
Organic tea leaves with JAS certification: Ensuring safety and exceptional taste
While preserving the natural richness and robust aroma and flavor of the tea leaves, we pursue the unique quality that defines Nabeshimameicha. Over three years, we have enhanced the flavor using our proprietary firing techniques. This tea is a confident creation that overturns the preconceived notion that “organic tea leaves taste grassy.” Enjoy the blissful taste that maximizes the power of nature, refined into a single cup of tea.
The secret to our flavor
Chiran Tea from Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture is committed to the tea industry at the prefectural level, focusing on the cultivation of high-quality tea and the selection of superior varieties. Chiran tea, grown in Minamikyushu City of Kagoshima Prefecture, is famous nationwide. Blessed with a warm climate and abundant nature, Chiran tea is known for its sweet and rich umami flavor. The region continually invests in research and development to produce the best-tasting tea.
What is Organic Tea Leaves?
Organic tea leaves are cultivated without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Organic farming respects the natural environment and aims for sustainable agriculture while maintaining soil health. Tea leaves certified by JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards) are grown according to specific standards and regulations, reducing the risk of contamination by chemicals and making them an environmentally friendly choice.
Organic Fertilizers
By using natural fertilizers such as rice bran and fish meal, it is possible to enrich the soil’s nutrients and maintain the health of the tea leaves. These fertilizers not only promote the growth of the tea leaves but also play a crucial role in enhancing the tea’s flavor. At Nabeshimameicha, we draw out the natural strength of carefully selected tea leaves, producing a robust sweetness.
Heating Process
In the tea manufacturing process, there is a heating process. This is a key part of producing Japanese tea, where the temperature and duration of heating vary depending on the type of tea and the desired quality. Since heating significantly affects the taste and color of the tea, balancing these factors is crucial. At Nabeshimameicha, although we had not previously handled organic tea leaves, Tanaka personally made numerous adjustments to achieve a satisfying flavor.
Brown Rice Green Tea with Matcha
We have meticulously refined the blend ratio of matcha, tea leaves, and brown rice. Unlike the regular brown rice green tea with matcha, the organic version has been adjusted to highlight the matcha flavor more prominently. Additionally, to achieve a satisfying aroma, the brown rice is slightly crushed, enhancing both the taste and the depth of its roasted flavor. This is a tea we highly recommend for a taste comparison.
Thoughts on organic tea
Nabeshimameicha Inc.
President
KAZUHIRO TANAKA
Pursuit of delicious organic tea
What we want to tell is that organic tea is not just something grown by farmers, but something that we, as tea sellers, can be deeply involved in as well. In the past, our only option was to choose teas that had already received organic certification, and it was particularly difficult to obtain organic tea from Shizuoka. Most of the organically certified tea available was from Kagoshima, which could be produced in larger quantities. However, for the tea to be sold, the packaging, labeling, and design all needed to be registered with the certification body, which meant we couldn’t even package the tea at Nabeshimameicha as we do with our regular teas. Essentially, we could only sell the tea as it was finished by the farmers.
The organic tea available often had a grassy taste, making it less appealing to frequent tea drinkers. However, 3 years ago, prompted by customer requests, we decided to venture into selling organic tea. Once we made this decision, we aimed not just to sell it, but to create a unique Nabeshimameicha tea that would bring joy to our customers. This might have been a personal mission of mine, but we meticulously selected one tea from 20 varieties, focusing on both aroma and taste. We brought the chosen tea to a certified processing factory, where we applied our honed “heating” techniques to enhance it.
The result was our organic green tea “Mei.” This tea has a beautiful color and a deep flavor, achieving a taste reminiscent of deep-steamed tea from Shizuoka, even though it is from Kagoshima. We hope that instead of seeing it as something special just because it’s organic, you will consider it one of your favorite tea choices.
Life with tea
- Mei and Kuriyose
“Mei,” made with Kagoshima tea leaves, is characterized by its distinctive sweetness. Brewing it stronger enhances its appeal even more. We recommend pairing it with yokan, a block-shaped traditional Japanese sweet which is made from sweet red bean paste. In Takayama, a steamed yokan with chestnut called “Kuriyose” becomes available in autumn. The sweetness of Mei pairs exquisitely with the flavor of Kuriyose, creating a perfect harmony.
- Organic Brown Rice Green Tea with Matcha and Ochazuke
Enjoy the fusion of the roasted flavor of brown rice and the rich taste of matcha in our brown rice green tea with matcha by using it for ochazuke. Ochazuke is a simple Japanese dish that submerges rice with tea. Accompany it with Takayama’s specialty, pickled red turnips, to further enhance the flavors.
- Kure and Milk
For a relaxing time after a meal, how about a refreshing cup of Kure? When mixed with milk to make a roasted green tea latte, Kure pairs exceptionally well with western sweets. Its gentle flavor provides a perfect escape from the busy life, offering a soothing and delightful experience.
Tea reflects the preferences of each individual. Enjoy the delight of experimenting with various combinations to discover your own personal favorite.
For specific questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
