First harvest 2024 (May)

Wakoucha is Japanese black tea meaning it is an oxidised tea instead of steamed tea.

This is a single cultivar Benifuuki (a domestic cultivar in Japan used mainly for black tea production) from third generation tea farmer and producer Kuma san.

It has a wonderful leaf presentation, distinctive and sweet aroma, rich flavour along with a gentle astringency. These characteristics make It a wonderful tea to enjoy alone or pair with sweets or savoury dishes. While we usually recommend to enjoy wakoucha straight (water only), Kuma san explained that the deep and rich profile make it great for Royal Milk Tea too (sugar and milk). For cold options, kyuurei - to brew hot and pour over ice - and mizudashi - cold brewing with cold water usually overnight - are great options!

All photos are taken by us, from the teahouse or from the very tea field that this Benifuuki is grown by Kuma san, during one of our previous visits. That means that the tea you see in the photos is the exact same tea that we are sharing with you!