Notice of Change in Tea Leaf Origin for Kuki-Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea Stems), and Namacha Jelly [Hojicha]
Thank you very much for your continued patronage of Nakamura Tokichi Main Store.
We would like to inform you that we will be changing the origin of the tea leaves used in the following products:
Kuki-Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea Stems): Change scheduled to begin in late July 2025
Namacha Jelly [Hojicha]: Change scheduled to begin around September 2025
Until now, we have used Sencha Karigane (Kukicha) sourced from Kyoto and Nara prefectures. However, due to increasingly abnormal weather patterns and a rapid shift in cultivation from Sencha to Tencha (the raw material for matcha), it has become difficult to stably procure tea leaves solely from these two regions.
Karigane (Kuki-cha), or twig tea, accounts for only about 7–8% of the total tea leaf harvest, making it especially vulnerable to decreases in production volume.
Nevertheless, the distinct toasty aroma that arises during roasting is a unique characteristic that can only be brought out by this part of the tea plant, and is a flavor we greatly value.
Going forward, we will adopt a blend (Gogumi) of tea leaves from Kagoshima and Kyoto prefectures, in pursuit of preserving both aroma and quality.
We remain committed to enhancing the quality of our Kuki-Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea Stems), and hope to continue bringing you a delicious and enjoyable tea experience.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support.