You may have seen the term “shizuoka genmaicha” on the label of tea packages and wonder what it means. In this article, we are going to tackle what shizuoka genmaicha is, where it comes from and how shizuoka genmaicha is different from a normal genmaicha.
Let’s get started! 🍵 🍃
What is Shizuoka Genmaicha?
Shizuoka genmaicha is essentially a genmaicha tea from Shizuoka, but what is genmaicha?
Genmaicha is a unique type of Japanese green tea that is made by blending tea leaves with toasted rice.
The addition of the toasted rice imparts a warm and nutty taste profile onto the tea, and it lowers the caffeine content.
A lot of tea lovers find that genmaicha is the perfect tea for the afternoon.
Shizuoka isn't the only region where tea is grown in Japan, it can also be grown in many other regions around the country.
If you want to learn about the other tea growing regions, you can read our guide 👉 Where Does Japanese Tea Grow?
The flavor of Shizuoka Genmaicha
Shizuoka Genmaicha has a warming and comforting flavor profile that everyone seems to enjoy, even when it’s their first time trying the tea. In the next section, we’re going to see what makes shizuoka genmaicha different from regular genmaicha.
If you want to learn more about what genmaicha tastes like, we wrote a full article about it 👉 What is the Genmaicha Flavor?
Where does Shizuoka Genmaicha come from?
In case you weren’t able to tell from the name, shizuoka genmaicha is grown in the region of Shizuoka. The tea industry in Shizuoka has a long and rich history, dating back to the 16th century when tea seeds were first introduced to the region.
Over the years, tea production in Shizuoka has expanded and evolved to become the largest tea-producing region in Japan.
Shizuoka Tea production
Today, Shizuoka is renowned for its high-quality tea and its tea production makes a significant contribution to the local economy.
Here you can see family run operations turning into full scale businesses over the course of just 1-2 generations. These medium-sized tea businesses not only produce great tea, but they also employ many people around the area of Shizuoka.
If you're looking for a good source for genmaicha, why not check out our buying guide 👉 How to Buy Genmaicha Like a Tea Expert
What Makes Shizuoka Genmaicha Special?
The tea growing process of shizuoka genmaicha is carefully managed to ensure the highest quality tea. From the cultivation of seedlings to the final processing of tea leaves, each step is carefully monitored and controlled to produce the best tea possible.
The tea plants are grown in well-maintained fields, using sustainable farming practices, and are carefully pruned and tended to ensure optimal growth and quality.
The processing of Shizuoka Genmaicha
After the tea leaves are harvested, they undergo a series of processing steps, including steaming, rolling, and drying, to bring out the unique flavor and aroma of each tea variety.
These steps are performed by experienced tea processors, using traditional methods passed down from generations, to produce tea that is truly unique to Shizuoka.
Are you wanting to learn more about how tea is made? We have the perfect guide for you 👉 How is tea made? Complete explanation by Tea Experts
The Terroir of Shizuoka Genmaicha
Each type of tea grown in Shizuoka has its own unique taste profile, which is influenced by factors such as the type of tea plant, growing conditions, and processing methods.
Sencha has a fresh and grassy taste, while Gyokuro is known for its rich and delicate flavor. Matcha has a rich and slightly bitter taste, with a smooth and creamy texture.
These differences in taste and aroma are what make each type of tea unique and special, and what make Shizuoka genmaicha so highly sought after by tea lovers around the world.
The factors that make Shizuoka Genmaicha Unique
The combination of the region's ideal climate and soil conditions, the use of traditional tea-growing methods, and the care and attention given to each step of the tea-growing process, all contribute to the unique qualities of Shizuoka genmaicha.
The tea grown in Shizuoka is also known for its bright green color and vibrant flavor, which are a result of the region's lush, lush vegetation and its proximity to the coast, which provides the tea with a high level of natural humidity.
If you're looking for the absolute best genmaicha, you can learn what to look for in our guide 👉 How and Where to Find the World’s Best Genmaicha Tea
How Shizuoka Genmaicha benefits from landscape
In addition to this, the region also benefits from the varied landscape. In Shizuoka, you will find a decent amount of flat land, as well as some of the more dramatic mountains in Japan including Mt. Fuji which lies on its border.
With tea plantations tucked away in between these hills and mountains, the tea plants benefits from partial shade throughout the day, which can actually produce a smoother flavor.
Where to find Shizuoka Genmaicha
Overall, Shizuoka tea is a unique and special product that is highly prized by tea lovers around the world. If you would like to try some for yourself, you can try the Matcha Genmaicha Shizuoka made by the talented farmers at Zenkouen. This tea is grown in Shizuoka, which makes it a shizuoka genmaicha.
1 comment
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