Wakocha (Black Tea)

What is Wakocha?

Similar to Wa-gashi 和菓子, Japanese sweets, or 和食 Wa-shoku, Japanese cuisine WA 和 means Japanese and Kōcha 紅茶 means Black Tea so Wakocha 和紅茶 is Japannese Black Tea.

What's the difference between Wakocha and Black Tea produed in other areas of the world?

In many of the major black tea producing areas of the world farmers typically create their black teas using the Camellia Sinensis Assamica genus of the tea plant which has higher levels of tannin and astringency that create strong and robust flavours that are suitable for mixing with milk or sugar. 

Most Japanese tea farmers however create their black teas from the same plants they use to make their green teas. These cultivars usually stem from the Camelia Sinensis Sinensis variety of the tea plant. The result is that the black tea created in Japan has much fewer tannins and astringency with delicate, fragrant aromas and light mouthfeel.

How is black tea processed? 

Black tea can be produced from any season, spring through to winter from many cultivars. The processing however, is very different to other Japanese teas that are harvested and then immediately steamed or pan fired to prevent oxidation. In black tea production the aim is to fully oxidise the tea to bring out different flavours profiles from the green counterpart.

  • Withering

    Tea leaves are harvested and then allowed to wither. This can take around 16 hours. The withering helps to bring out the fragrance of the tea cultivar before being fully oxidised.

  • Kneading

    Once withered the leaves are soft enough to be kneaded and rolled without breaking. This process speeds up the oxidation before they are dried and stored. 

  • Sorting

    The leaves will then be filtered to stop them sticking and clumping before going through a second round of kneading before being left to fully oxidise. The oxidation process changes the leaves colour bringing on the characteristic reddish brown appearance. 

  • Drying

    The leaves are then left to mature. Unlike many green teas, black teas improve with age. The ageing helps to mellow out astringency and develop the characteristic flavours within the tea. 

Black Tea History in Japan:

Black tea was first produced in Japan during the Meiji Restoration around 150 years ago when Japan opened it’s doors to international trade. 

The opening of trade meant that new techniques in production were developed meet the demands of both popular flavours in foreign lands and to also to address the issues of storage on long voyages.
This high demand did not last into the 20th Century when exports dwindled as a result of the World Wars. The domestic Japanese palate prefers umami rich green teas and so most black tea production ceased to exist. 

Now black tea is once again becoming popular and today we see more and more tea farmers venturing into the world of black tea production once again. 

Health Benefits Of Wakocha?

Like other black teas, Wakōcha is high in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that can help remove free radicals and decrease cell damage in the body. 

  • Black tea has higher levels of catechins that give tea it’s astringency. These catechins are known to help regulate blood pressure, aid weight loss and protect the brain. 

  • Wakocha also has higher levels of tannin than green tea. Tannins are known to have anti-inflammatory benefits in the body. 

  • Black tea also contains caffeine and L-theanine which helps to aid focus and improve alertness. 

Don’t know where to start? If you are looking to try Wakocha for the first time and would like some help choosing from our range, don't hesitate to get in touch and we can advise you based on your personal preferences.