Japanese black tea

[Salsero]

I've never heard of Japanese black tea before, but Tfactor claims to have some. I have enjoyed their Assams, so I have some trust in them.

http://tinyurl.com/ytuvfn

Maybe when I run low on Assam I will order some of this too.

[Space Samurai]

Ah hell yeah, I'm all over this.

[Chip]

I had researched Japanese black tea some time ago. This is from the Kagoshima Prefectoral Tea Research Experiment Station notes. Google Kagoshima black tea for more info. But there was a long period of experimentation into black tea production in Kagoshima that was simply experimentation, never really came to fruition.

Also, I have read where one Japanese producer sold a black tea blend last year, calling it Japanese black tea. But upon reading it, it had Japanese green tea mixed with Darjeeling black.

Here is the chronology of the black tea experiment. Copyright © 1998-2007 Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST).

1901 Makurazaki Branch, Tea Experiment Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was established. The black tea breeding experiments specified by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry were transferred to the Station.
1929 The black tea breeding experiment designated by Ministry of Agriculture was commenced. The station was opened as Kagoshima Agriculture Experiment Station Chiran Branch. (Kisanukihara Chiran Cho)
1934 The station was renamed Kagoshima Agriculture Experiment Station Chiran Black Tea Branch.
1939 Makurazaki Black Tea Experimental Farm of the branch was established.
1940 The station was moved to the current location (Nagasato Chiran Cho).
1946 The designated black tea breeding experiment was ceased.
1953 The designated black tea breeding experiment was resumed.
1954 The 25th anniversary was held.
1958 The station was separated from Kagoshima Agriculture Experimental Station and reformed to Kagoshima Tea Experiment Station.
1961 According to the set up of Makurazaki Branch of Tea Experiment Station of Ministry of Agriculture, the designated development experiment of new black tea varieties was transferred to the branch.
1969 As the promotion of the black tea production by the national and prefectural policies was discontinued, the main emphasis was placed on the studies on green tea.
1978 The characterization certification examination specified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was initiated (rupture type freezing damage).
1979 Green Tea Experiment Factory and Tea Farming Training House were set up.
1980 Makurazaki Experiment Station was closed. Commemorative ceremony was performed for the 50th anniversary of foundation.
1982 Tea Farming Department was set up in Kagoshima Prefectural Agricultural College.
1983 Osumi Tea Guidance Center was closed and reorganized to Osumi Branch, Kagoshima Prefecture Tea Experiment Station.
1985 The first issue of Research Report of the Tea Experiment Station was published.
2003 Tea Farming Department was closed.

[Salsero]

Wow, Chip, you go the full distance when you research something! I gather your take on this tea is "caveat emptor."

[Chip]

Wow, Chip, you go the full distance when you research something! I gather your take on this tea is "caveat emptor."

Indeed...besides, not sure I like smokey barbecued black tea even if it is grown in the shadows of my mountain.

[hop_goblin]

RU kidding Chip! It sounds del-ish!

[bambooforest]

Did I hear someone say Japanese black tea?

Sounds interesting and almost hard to believe....

If indeed it is the real mccoy this goes to teach us all that truth is indeed stranger than fiction...

[scruffmcgruff]

The real mccoy? What's the deal with this saying and tea? I've heard it twice in two days...

[ABx]

Someone's gotta try it and give us the low-down

[Chip]

Someone's gotta try it and give us the low-down

In this case, I will go with the "ignorance is bliss" mantra. 2 years ago, I would have been all over this black tea, but I am much more focused and content these days.

But I am curious anyway, so, I think Salsero should buy this since he is the king of samples. Or Hobs since he thinks it sounds delish.