TeaChat

From the following site: http://tea-charaku.com/production_areas/

One thing that occurred to me to find and post is a map of regions of Japan that produce tea, and the quantity of tea they produce. From the previous thread and many news articles published there, there have been reported cases of excessive levels of radiation found in Shizuoka. To my knowledge this has been the farthest set of tea fields in which many (or any?) batches of tea were found to have excessive levels of radioactive material. As such, I would be hesitant of anything from the growing regions north and east of Shizuoka.

As the colors on the map indicate the amount of tea produced in each area. While Shizuoka is a large production area, most of the areas I listed as being skeptical of, as they are much closer to the Fukushima plant being north and east of Shizuoka produce much less tea than the area's south and west. While blending does happen, I venture to guess most blenders would be hesitant to blend in tea from the known problem areas. I say this in part because due to Japanese history they are potentially one of the most sensitive nations to the possible effects of radiation.

I feel this map is beneficial in showing that there are still many many growing regions which are minimally affected by the problems with the Nuclear power plant.

Thanks Adam!

There are other regions not labeled that are significant producers. Is there another map we could past along with this one that shows all the "players?" (Also perhaps the location of Fukushima)

This would be most helpful to those who are newer to Japanese tea or simply never had the opportunity to view maps of growing regions of Japan. But this really helps to put things into perspective.

Thanks in advance ...

Chip, sadly I could find no map that was ideal for both instances, so I will add this map:


The power plant is in the region numbered 8. Shizuokua is the region numbered 38. In the map in the first post Kagoshima is the other dark blue area, which in this map is number 18.

That is actually perfect ... readers can simply cross reference. Thanks again.

This info in addition to the maps posted by Adam should help pinpoint where 99% of your Japanese teas are coming from geographically. Please let me know of any errors or additions. Remember, we are trying to keep this relevant to the West.

The three most common regions/prefectures for Japanese tea to the West are Uji, Kyoto; Kagoshima; Shizuoka

A few of the more common tea producing regions that are not prefectures (prefecture listed here to help illustrate where they are located) Prefectures are bold to help:

Uji is in Kyoto (as shown on the first map)
Ureshino is in Saga (Kyushu Island)
Yame is in Fukuoka (Kyushu Island)


And a few lesser know regions/prefectures whose teas are found in the West, although rarely. Prefectures are bold:

Kumamoto - some sencha
Mie
Miyazaki - some sencha
Nara
Nishio, Aichi - some matcha comes from here, neighbors Shizuoka prefecture
Sayama, Saitama - some sencha, but very uncommon. The sencha is most often named Sayama. North and east of Shizuoka.

I think it is probably a good thing to point out that the previous hot link is a "simulation", not an actual measurement based study. It is easy to focus on the nice graphics and miss that statement in the text.

best,

.............john

Chip wrote:This info in addition to the maps posted by Adam should help pinpoint where 99% of your Japanese teas are coming from geographically. Please let me know of any errors or additions. Remember, we are trying to keep this relevent to the West.

The three most common regions/prefectures for Japanese tea to the West are Uji, Kyoto; Kagoshima; Shizuoka

A few of the more common tea producing regions that are not prefectures (prefecture listed here to help illustrate where they are located) Prefectures are bold to help:

Uji is in Kyoto (as shown on the first map)
Ureshino is in Saga (Kyushu Island)
Yame is in Fukuoka (Kyushu Island)


And a few lesser know regions/prefectures whose teas are found in the West, although rarely. Prefectures are bold:

Kumamoto - some sencha
Mie
Miyazaki - some sencha
Nara
Nishio, Aichi - some matcha comes from here, neighbors Shizuoka prefecture
Sayama, Saitama - some sencha, but very uncommon. The sencha is most often named Sayama. North and east of Shizuoka.

Many thanks for the great summary, Chip! This is a real help for us who are just starting to learn about Japanese teas.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

I thought the video on this link was pretty good and relevant: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

I'm not saying it's accurate, but it's one side of the story.

The footage showing the tea harvest is pretty cool.

Moderator edit: I am merging this topic into the Radiation topic already open.

How can I trust a country that possibly sells radioactive tea blended with non radioactive tea?
This is exactly what should be AVOIDED.
On the contrary it's actually been done by some unscrupulous seller in Japan.

Source: http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/10/dilu ... ended.html

http://savechild.net/wp-content/uploads ... 0/otya.gif

a.serrao wrote:How can I trust a country that possibly sells radioactive tea blended with non radioactive tea?
This is exactly what should be AVOIDED.
On the contrary it's actually been done by some unscrupulous seller in Japan.

Source: http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/10/dilu ... ended.html

http://savechild.net/wp-content/uploads ... 0/otya.gif

Again you are citing the same blog ...

You are generalizing when you say, "How can I trust a country ... " since it is not the country that is doing it, but a manufacturer.

If this is true, then the name(s) of any company conducting such a practice should be disclosed. It is likely in this case that it is an obscure company or one selling w/i Japan only since to export would be overtly risky.

Again, know your vendor, ask questions.

Also to take this generalization steps further ... what of Indian and Chinese tea? Talk about shady practices that cause contamination of tea, there are manufacturers within these countries who sell contaminated tea.

... what about food ... the list can go on and on.

I am not saying to ignore such things, but keep it in perspective and know your vendor (choose one as close to the source as possible) and ask the right questions. Reward those with your business.

a.serrao wrote:How can I trust a country that possibly sells radioactive tea blended with non radioactive tea?
This is exactly what should be AVOIDED.
On the contrary it's actually been done by some unscrupulous seller in Japan.

Source: http://ex-skf.blogspot.com/2011/10/dilu ... ended.html

http://savechild.net/wp-content/uploads ... 0/otya.gif

I think everybody understands that you are not going to buy japanese tea any time soon, so really why bother posting about it ?

Maybe I shouldn't comment, but your remark about the japanese country really saddens me...

Obviously, it's bothering him still. I think he's still trying to justify his position by any means possible, which is why he painted the whole country with a broad stroke. Complains about Japan, yet cites this article which is an expose by a Japanese newspaper.

That said, I don't doubt there are companies doing this. There is a lot of Shizuoka tea left over from 2011 that hasn't been dumped. It's not as easy as burning it either. I'm going to be extra vigilant in this regard.

I heard the third harvest has practically no cesium in it anymore. I think the real threat isn't that tea which will be harvested next year, but this mixing thing does have potential. Most likely, my shop will not sell Shizuoka tea in 2012 either, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Anyway, I think I'll go have a cup of delicious Yame kabusecha.