SHINCHA | The first tea harvest - Kagoshima is the first bigger tea producer in Japan!

Written by ShalomAA

Translated by A. Carnegie

20.4.2020 (Re:24.2.2022)

There are several theories about the tea industry in Kagoshima. One of the theories tells that it was transmitted with the arrival of the exiles of the Taira clan to Kinpōchōata-Shirakawa, about 800 years ago. But the promotion of large-scale cultivation and production of tea took place after the Second World War. Starting and progressing remarkably to this day. Tea produced in Kagoshima prefecture has the first highest production volume in Japan, represents approximately 30% of the market and is highly evaluated throughout the country. Kagoshima tea is characterized by its rich green tea, “the leaves are darker, the flavor thicker, and the color of the infusion is denser.” Due to the low cost of production and mechanization, the harvest is carried out up to six times a year, they are called the first, second, third, fourth harvest, also the autumn and winter harvests. In particular, the “sanbancha” (third harvest) harvest and subsequent harvests represent approximately 40% of the entire country. In Nishinoomote-shi and Minamitane-cho, the earliest tea harvesting (Hashirishincha) takes place in all of Japan in late March.

　1. “The 88 Nights” (Hachijuhachiya)

　2. Green tea, black tea and oolong tea

　3. The benefits and effects of green tea

　4. Enjoy the best flavor and all its variety

1. A few days after eighty-eight nights after the first tea harvest

This year too, February 4 “Risshun” (risshun is known as the first day of spring according to the ancient calendar) since the beginning of spring, we will soon reach 88 nights (Hachijuhachiya). This year is a leap year, so May 1 will be eighty-eight nights, and the collection of the new tea (shincha) will begin. At this time the so-called “Osojimo” (late frost) occurs, frosts are said to last until around 88 nights, but there is a word that says “Kyujukyuya no nakijimo” (last frost of the season) in some regions the Frost takes until mid-May. All of these theories are unique to Japan and are specially engineered to evoke the attention of farmers. The new tea collected on this day “The 88 Nights” (Hachijuhachiya) is said to be of high quality, and drinking tea this day will give you a long life.

2. Did you know? The tea is actually the same leaf used for black tea and oolong tea

Many people probably already know this, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea are made from the tea tree of the camellia family. The raw leaves of this tree are dried and depending on the degree of fermentation they are given, various types of tea can be obtained, such as green tea, oolong tea and black tea. Green tea is not fermented, green tea is collected, steamed at a high temperature and dried. Depending on the drying method, a wide variety of high quality teas are obtained such as “Gyokuro” and “Kabusecha”. If the “Bancha” and “Sencha” are roasted over high heat, the “Hojicha” is obtained with a delicious fragrance.

3. The more you know about the benefits and effects of green tea, the more you will like it

The more you know about the benefits of green tea, the more you will be amazed. Tea catechin is effective in bactericidal activity and has a great ability to kill cholera bacteria, and is said to be very effective against pathogenic bacteria that infect the gut, such as Shigella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, it has also been shown to be effective against Escherichia coli O157. It is said that apart from preventing cavities and bad breath, and because it has a lot of vitamin C, it has a great effect on beauty and diet. The catechin and gaba contained in green tea appear to have the effect of suppressing increased blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and preventing arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven to be effective in suppressing carcinogenic effects. How about a cup of fresh tea in the teapot this spring?

4. Enjoy the best flavor and all its variety

Enjoy a delicious tea during the day. Green tea, steamed tea, Gyokuro, Houjicha (roasted green tea), Genmaicha (brown rice tea) and Mizudashi cha (green tea prepared in cold water) depending on the type of tea, there are different ways to prepare to drink it deliciously.

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