Tea Factory Gen: Hiroshima Craft Zairai Hoji-Kamairicha

Hiroshima Craft Tea: Roast Kamairicha

Micro Batch Craft Teas from Tea-Factory-Gen

30g

Naturally grown in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem, this micro-batch craft hoji-kamairicha is created from zairai tea plants in the Sera region of Hiroshima prefecture.

Tea Factory Gen reclaims overgrown and sometimes forgotten tea gardens and uses the old tea trees, around 80 years of age, that have been there since long ago to create speciality teas that reflect the true flavour of the surrounding terroir.

This unusual roasted kamairicha is pan fired to stop oxidation rather than steamed and then lightly roasted. The resulting tea is light, sweet and subtle with a gentle roasted and vegetal flavour. As the trees that are used to make this tea are much older than traditionally used in Japan, they have less umami and more of a sweet taste. 

Steeping Notes:  5g | 300ml | 95°C | 2-3mins 

Hiroshima "native tea" from Genki:

Hiroshima native tea is a tea that Tea Factory Gen cultivates tea fields in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture without fertilisers and pesticides, and consistently handles tea processing and packaging.
"Native tea" is tea planted and grown from seeds, and is a valuable tea that is said to account for only 3% of all tea in circulation. Tea Factory Gen's native tea is 50 to 80 years old. The roots extend more than 2 meters deep into the ground, providing nutrients from the ground that are rich in minerals.
In addition, since it is grown without fertilisers and pesticides, it does not have the “umami of gyokuro” that is generally evaluated as delicious tea. It is characterized by being able to enjoy. Please enjoy the "gentle taste" that can be felt in common with each tea leaf.

Steeping Notes: 5g | 200-250ml | 95°C | 1-2mins 

• Ingredients: Black Tea 
• Cultivar: Zairai - tea grown from seed
• Harvest: Late Spring
• Region: Sera region, Hiroshima Prefecture
• Note: Unblended - single origin 
• Name: Tea Factory Gen
• Type: Independent, Family-owned tea factory

About The Farm:

Tea leaves grown without fertiliser or pesticides on the Sera Plateau in Hiroshima Prefecture. Founded in 2016, Tea Factory Gen is based in the Sera and Onomichi areas of Hiroshima Prefecture. Genki Takahashi and his friends, who share his ideals, are working to create natural teas grown from abandoned and regenerated tea plantations in Hiroshima.

Tea leaves harvested from tea trees that are 60 to 70 years old have less of the commonly-praised "umami" flavour, but are characterised by the natural sweetness and refreshing taste that is unique to the region.

To make the most of these characteristics, we produce a variety of teas, including "Hamacha," which is sun-dried on the beach for a week to give it the scent of the sea; "Seicha," a sencha that brings out its aroma through a process called withering.

We hope you will find your own unique favorite tea and enrich your life with tea time.