Japanese Pu'Erh / Pink Tea

[umijoshi]

There's a new product on the market getting a lot of attention in Japan. It is a combination of tea leafs and black koji (a mold used to transform starch to sugar in the creation awamori and varieties of sake) spearheaded by researchers in Shizuoka, Japan. It has expanded to at least 1 company in Kagoshima (Sanshu-En). It's a spin on Pu'Erh, perhaps with a more 'controlled' approach to its production. Anyway, you can read about it below.

The following pdf was created by the innovators of this style
http://www.osadaen.co.jp/yamabuki_english.pdf

I have not tried Shizuoka's Osada-En product, but out of Kagoshima's Sanshu-En they are using one of Japan's black tea cultivars (benifuki). There are research centers being set up in Kagoshima to try out different koji/cultivar combinations on a larger scale.

I have a kilogram of it from Sanshu-En (they call it Crystal Rosé Pure) and sell it at our restaurant. So far the response from guests trying it is very positive. Sanshu-En's website is here:
http://www.tea-sanshuen.co.jp/

The tea leaf from Sanshu-En basically comes out to powder like you would expect from deep steamed green tea, with a houjicha brown color. In particular the texture is extremely rich and heavy. Some crazy flavors too.

I did a quick browse around the forum and didn't see any thread about this yet, has anyone else tried it?

[shah82]

There's a new product on the market getting a lot of attention in Japan. It is a combination of tea leafs and black koji (a mold used to transform starch to sugar in the creation awamori and varieties of sake) spearheaded by researchers in Shizuoka, Japan. It has expanded to at least 1 company in Kagoshima (Sanshu-En). It's a spin on Pu'Erh, perhaps with a more 'controlled' approach to its production. Anyway, you can read about it below.

The following pdf was created by the innovators of this style
http://www.osadaen.co.jp/yamabuki_english.pdf

I have not tried Shizuoka's Osada-En product, but out of Kagoshima's Sanshu-En they are using one of Japan's black tea cultivars (benifuki). There are research centers being set up in Kagoshima to try out different koji/cultivar combinations on a larger scale.

I have a kilogram of it from Sanshu-En (they call it Crystal Rosé Pure) and sell it at our restaurant. So far the response from guests trying it is very positive. Sanshu-En's website is here:
http://www.tea-sanshuen.co.jp/

The tea leaf from Sanshu-En basically comes out to powder like you would expect from deep steamed green tea, with a houjicha brown color. In particular the texture is extremely rich and heavy. Some crazy flavors too.

I did a quick browse around the forum and didn't see any thread about this yet, has anyone else tried it?

It has been sold before by one of the more off-the-wall tea vendor, but I can't find it anymore...

[Chris418]

http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/nadeshiko

[daidokorocha]

Yeah, I saw this stuff around a little while ago but never had any. Japan has a lot of pu'erh type teas though that are obviously much older. There has been some government investment in it but I wonder if anybody would care unless you market it as a health product.

[jayinhk]

I'd love to try some post-fermented Japanese teas!

[daidokorocha]

I'd love to try some post-fermented Japanese teas!

Check out yunomi and they have a few that are post-fermented. In fact, here is a link to a tasting set if you're interested.

http://www.yunomi.life/products/furyu-j ... asting-set

[umijoshi]

I'd love to try some post-fermented Japanese teas!

Check out yunomi and they have a few that are post-fermented. In fact, here is a link to a tasting set if you're interested.

http://www.yunomi.life/products/furyu-j ... asting-set

Thanks! It's in the mail to me now

[miig]

Ah, yes I drank through Yunomis "Hei Cha" a while ago.. there's interesting stuff there! One thing though: beware of the naughty Batabatacha

[Alucard]

One thing though: beware of the naughty Batabatacha

Does that mean it has some bite to it? I have not tried Japanese puerh but i'm interested to do so.

[jayinhk]

I bought a sampler too! The pink tea sounds interesting as well. I have a nice stash of awamori from Okinawa, so I'm already familiar with black koji!

[Alucard]

I bought a sampler too!

OK, fine. Me too.

[whatsinaname]

Me Too!

Rare treat to try a type of tea I've never tried before.

[miig]

One thing though: beware of the naughty Batabatacha

Does that mean it has some bite to it? I have not tried Japanese puerh but i'm interested to do so.

I was kidding... somewhat. The Batabatacha has a very earthy, rustic flavor without the creamyness or floweryness or bread-aromas of most puerh. I found it very interesting, but very rugged too, and its not meant as a tea in the narrower sense, but its part of a certain dish. So be prepared for an unusual experience.

In general, I think it may be a bit misleading to speak of Japanes Puerh. Maybe one should say post-fermented tea or something like that, because these teas are great and very interesting, but the ones I've tried are really very different from puerh in almost every aspect.

[Alucard]

One thing though: beware of the naughty Batabatacha

Does that mean it has some bite to it? I have not tried Japanese puerh but i'm interested to do so.

I was kidding... somewhat. The Batabatacha has a very earthy, rustic flavor without the creamyness or floweryness or bread-aromas of most puerh. I found it very interesting, but very rugged too, and its not meant as a tea in the narrower sense, but its part of a certain dish. So be prepared for an unusual experience.

In general, I think it may be a bit misleading to speak of Japanes Puerh. Maybe one should say post-fermented tea or something like that, because these teas are great and very interesting, but the ones I've tried are really very different from puerh in almost every aspect.

Thanks miig. Sounds interesting for sure. You are right about the name - seems to be called Dark Tea too at some shops.

[Bef]

http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/nadeshiko

I remember that one tasting raspberries. It's a very weird tea.