Hello everyone,
This is Keko, your online staff member.
Have you ever heard the term "Kuchikiri"?
In the world of Japanese tea, "Kuchikiri" refers to the opening of a tea jar that has been sealed for long-term storage.
Traditionally, these jars are designed to block out light and be sealed tightly, preserving the tea leaves for an extended period.
In early summer, around the 88th night (which falls in early May), fresh tea leaves are harvested and placed into these jars. The jars are then sealed and stored in a cool, dark place for about six months. During this time, the tea matures, gaining a richer, deeper flavor as the summer months pass.
In the tea ceremony world, November is known as "New Year's Day for Tea Masters." It is the time when the tea jar is finally opened, and the matured tencha (the raw material for matcha) inside is ground into a fine powder using a stone mill. This freshly ground matcha is highly valued for its depth of flavor and quality, marking the start of the new tea season.
This time of year is truly the season for matcha. Aged matcha offers a deep richness and complexity that is unmatched.
At Nakamura Tokichi Main Store, we also provide "aged tea" in the form of sencha. Our Sencha [Tokichi] is made by aging freshly harvested tea from early summer, resulting in a mellow richness and a deep aroma that can only be achieved through this aging process.
We invite you to savor these seasonal flavors, which are best enjoyed at this special time of year. 😊🍵