Who Decides What Makes Tea "Delicious"?
Hello everyone 😊
This is Keko from our online team.
“This tea is delicious.”
Whether in our tea shops or through our online store, hearing these words is always a joy.
At the same time, we also hear reflections like these:
“I prefer a tea with a bit more astringency.”
“I like tea with a deeper, natural sweetness.”
Neither is wrong. Both are deeply valued thoughts.
It often makes me wonder: Who decides what makes tea "delicious"?
When finalizing our tea blends, we check the balance of aroma, umami, and astringency again and again.
What unique qualities do this year’s tea leaves hold?
How should they be roasted to bring out their true character?
Our tea masters and craftsmen work together, constantly striving toward a single goal: creating a delicious cup of tea.
Yet, the person who drinks that cup is unique every time.
A cup first thing in the morning as you wake up.
A cup during a work break to pause and breathe.
A cup shared around the dining table with family.
A cup enjoyed slowly during a quiet evening, all to yourself.
Even with the exact same tea, the flavor you perceive shifts subtly depending on your mood, the time of day, or the season.
A tea you once thought was "a bit bitter" might suddenly feel pleasantly refreshing on another day.
Conversely, a tea remembered for its sweetness might feel light and breezy today.
The tea itself hasn't changed—perhaps it is we who have changed.
That is why I believe "delicious" is not a fixed, single answer.
It is simply what feels right and tastes wonderful to you on that specific day.
That, too, is part of the charm of Japanese tea.
Of course, we spare no effort in delivering exceptional tea.
Discerning the finest leaves, carefully adjusting the roasting process, and drawing out each tea’s inherent character—it is the accumulation of these steps that brings a single cup into being.
Yet, that cup becomes truly "delicious" and complete only when it reaches you, the drinker.
That is what I believe.
At Nakamura Tokichi, we offer a wide variety of teas: Sencha, Gyokuro, Hojicha, Genmaicha, Matcha…
This variety is not about deciding which tea is "the best."
It exists so we can gently accompany your feelings when you ask yourself, “What kind of tea do I feel like drinking today?”
A crisp Sencha for today.
A rich Gyokuro when you want to take your time.
A fragrant Hojicha when you seek warmth and comfort.
Our signature Nakamura Cha to complement your meal.
Choosing your tea according to how you feel each day is one of the greatest pleasures of enjoying Japanese tea.