{"title":"Other Japanese Teas","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"yakushima-earl-grey","title":"Yakushima \"Earl Grey\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e屋久岛伯爵红茶\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYakushima Island, Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of five teas I sourced from \u003ca title=\"Unexpected finds in Yakushima, Japan\" href=\"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/blogs\/news\/teas-from-yakushima-japan\"\u003emy journey to Yakushima Island\u003c\/a\u003e in January 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“Earl Grey,” perhaps the most widely recognized tea in the Western world, has come to refer to any black tea scented or combined with citrus oil – most often, that of bergamot. This tea, that the cultivars named Earl Grey, is a special and highly localized take on this popular combination of tea and citrus, and the only Earl Grey that Cultivate will carry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYakushima Island is famous for the range of fascinating varieties of oranges and pomelos that grow there. When I visited in January, it was the peak season of ponkan and taikan. Having been completely enchanted by the qualities of these fruits, I was excited to see an Earl Grey made entirely of what grows on Yakushima.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe tea used to make it is Benifuuki black tea, and it is scented with essential oil naturally extracted from the citrus fruit, bergamot. Bergamot is originally from the Mediterranean, but grows in the subtropical climate of Yakushima with ease.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe result of this combination is a delicious and refreshing Earl Grey: refreshing in that it is uplifting, and also that it resets our impression of what an Earl Grey can be like. It brews a dark amber colour and carries a well-balanced, full-bodied with smooth mouthfeel. The bergamot oil blends so well the tannins of the Benifuuki tea, neither overpowers the other, and after a few sips one lets go of trying to taste them apart. Together, their complementary qualities emulsify to yield a sweet, bright, and naturally creamy tea. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet weight \u003c\/strong\u003e100\u003cspan\u003eg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTea\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e4g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e150ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e100 °C\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteep time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e10 sec - 90 sec\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 20.0998%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9002%;\"\u003e6\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44655847080216,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/products\/615A4169.jpg?v=1678471033"},{"product_id":"takahashi-s-oolong-koju","title":"Takahashi’s Oolong “Koju”","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e高橋の烏龍 香寿\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShizuoka, Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Koju Oolong is made in Shizuoka by the Takahashi’s, a father and son duo whose family has been tea farmers for 3 generations. They started by making sencha, as most tea farmers in Shizuoka do, but about 20 years ago the eldest began enthusiastically studying oxidized teas like oolongs. He patiently experimented with processes for crafting oxidized tea and today produces some of the rarest oolongs in Japan. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eKoju is the name of a varietal that was discovered by Mr. Takahashi. It is a hybrid cultivar of Inzatsu 131 (an exotic varietal brought to Japan from Manipur, India a century ago) and the Japanese varietal, Yabukita. Mr. Takahashi is currently the only person cultivating Koju in Japan, as he believes it to be particularly well suited for crafting into oolong. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Koju is completely hand picked. After being harvested the leaves are withered in the sun for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, they are further withered for about 10 hours using a yōseiki (a withering and shaking machine). During this stage the tea leaves give off a wonderfully fragrant aroma. Next, the leaves are pan-fired for about 10 minutes — just long enough for them to become slightly crisp. After that, they are wrapped in cloth and gently steamed, softening them again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is very significant to us as it is the only whole leaf, hand picked, and oxidized tea that we have tried from Japan. It is beautiful to taste this rare varietal crafted with the techniques that Mr. Takahashi has perfected over the past two decades. It tastes strikingly floral, reminiscent of Taiwanese Oolongs, and its gentle saline notes are interlaced with pungent white flowers. This florality, paired with its hydrating and soft mouthfeel, make it feel like a bruised gyokuro. In the gaiwan you will see the reanimated Koju leaves; their robust veins, hand-cut shape and lightly oxidized surface are a beautiful sight to pause on. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 - 60 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":50853800411416,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":50853800444184,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20251117_Cultivate_0234_WEB.jpg?v=1763921853"},{"product_id":"takahashi-s-oolong-inzatsu-131","title":"Takahashi’s Oolong “Inzatsu 131”","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e高橋の烏龍 印雑 131\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMay 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShizuoka, Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInzatsu 131 Oolong is made in Shizuoka by the Takahashi’s, a father and son duo whose family has been tea farmers for 3 generations. They started by making sencha, as most tea farmers in Shizuoka do, but about 20 years ago the eldest began enthusiastically studying oxidized teas like oolongs. He patiently experimented with processes for crafting oxidized tea and today produces some of the rarest oolongs in Japan. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eInzatsu 131 is the name of an exotic varietal that was brought over to Japan from Manipur, India a century ago. Mr. Takahashi is currently the only person still cultivating it in Japan, as he believes it to be particularly well suited for crafting into oolong. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis oolong is completely hand picked. After being harvested the leaves are withered in the sun for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, they are further withered for about 10 hours using a yōseiki (a withering and shaking machine). During this stage the tea leaves give off a wonderfully fragrant aroma. Next, the leaves are pan-fired for about 10 minutes — just long enough for them to become slightly crisp. After that, they are wrapped in cloth and gently steamed, softening them again. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is very significant to us as it is the only whole leaf, hand picked, and oxidized tea that we have tried from Japan. It is beautiful to taste this rare varietal crafted with the techniques that Mr. Takahashi has perfected over the past two decades. This is the deepest and furthest oxidized tea he crafts, but it is still roasted relatively lightly so that we may experience the nuances of this varietal. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leaves brew a golden liquor that blooms immediately with full flavour. This is perhaps as close as one gets to a Cliff Oolong from Japan – we taste orchids, rain water and rock face in it, and can feel it rinsing our senses. It has a cleansing energy and, as we have come to understand about teas from the Takahashi’s, a profile that lands delicately in between rustic and refined. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e. . .\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSteep time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 - 60 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo. of infusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cultivate Tea","offers":[{"title":"25g","offer_id":50853800837400,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":50853800870168,"sku":null,"price":130.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0091\/5737\/8153\/files\/20251117_Cultivate_0444_WEB.jpg?v=1764292894"}],"url":"https:\/\/cultivatetea.com\/collections\/other-japanese-teas.oembed","provider":"Cultivate Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}