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TORIDORI TEA DATA FILE
Catalog no. TEA11. Hojicha Japanese Spices (Kumamoto)
Origin
Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan.
Producer
Rei Amano
Cultivar
Yabukita (藪北, meaning "north bush").
Harvest
05/2025, machine-picked.
Process
Green tea, steemed & roasted (ほうじ茶 hojicha). Mixed with natural Japanese spices: Japanese cinnamon (Cinnamomum sieboldii, or "nikké ニッケ" in local name
) and Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum, or "sansho 山椒" in local name). Spices were harvested on 5/2025 and 10/2024, respectively, in the surrounding forests of the tea farm.
Cultivation
Plants grow on the red volcanic soils and receive abundant sunlight at the South slope of the mountain on Isitobi Highland (石飛高原) where strong wind blows throughout the year. No added fertilizers; plants receive nutrients supplied through the green mulching, using locally collected plant residue in his farm. No herbicides or pesticides (= no agrochemicals).
Tasting memo
Very light body with balanced flavors. Pleasant spicy and herbal flavors in a toasty and slightly earthy background.
Brewing guide
[Japanese] 2-3 g/200 ml, 95-100°C 60 sec (1st), 80 sec (2nd). 2 infusions possible.
[Western] 2 g/300 ml, 95-100°C 2-3 min.
Simple baked desserts with nuts (almond, hazelnuts, chestnuts...), sweet spices (vanilla, cinnamon,...), or mellow-flavored ingredients (banana, maple syrup, brown sugar...).
[Dessert examples]
Banana bread, carotte cake, apple pie, pumpkin muffin, speculaas, frangipanetaart (almond pie)...
PRODUCER OF THIS TEA
Amatama Farm
あまたま農園
On top of the high mountain bordering two prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima in the Southern part of the Kyushu island, there is a beautiful natural tea farm of Mr. Rei Amano. Since 2020, he has been growing tea plants without any added fertilizer, instead by supporting a natural ecosystems here.
His naturally grown teas have a pure taste, reflecting the original flavors of his terroir. With this delicious tea leaves, he creates his special tea blends using the rich harvests of his mountain and the neighboring prefectures of this island. The taste to celebrate the natural harvests of his land.
Curiosity opens new possibilities
好奇心が開く新たな可能性
His natural tea farm is a very unique place where tea plants and the surrounding nature is in a good harmony. And his special tea blends, too, always give us a pleasant surprise by showing new combinations of Japanese tea and local natural harvests.
Mr. Amano told me that these all started from his curiosity, "what if I do this?". I really liked the way he told me that he is just doing what he likes! Still I can imagine it was not an easy job ― for example, quitting fertilizer is a bold decision ― but his inspirations and efforts have opened new possibilities of his tea.
With his curiosity, his projects continues to evolve. I am already so excited to hear about his stories next time I visit him again.
Erina
(updated on 16/12/2025)
New tea buds are emerging in early spring of Mr. Amano's natural tea farm on top of the mountain. Soon it is the first trimming season to prepare for the new harvest.
Spring herbs covering the bottom of tea plants. Small spring herbs like this provide a natural soil protection.