Hoshinomura Terroir

Nature's Perfect Design

The village's name, Hoshinomura, carries the poetry of its famously clear night skies, literally meaning 'the Village of Stars' ('Hoshi' for star, 'mura' for village).

The profound flavor of "Hoshino Shizuku," a depth unrivaled by others, is the miraculous result of this region's unique "Terroir" fused with the philosophy and skill of the farmers who are deeply rooted in this land.

A Natural Environment Blessed by the Heavens for Supreme Quality

  • Topography and Mist: Hoshino village is nestled in steep mountains, creating a significant temperature difference between day and night. This gentle stress slows the tea leaves' growth, allowing them to store abundant nutrients and develop a condensed, rich flavor. Furthermore, a thick morning mist that occurs throughout the year acts as a "natural shade curtain," protecting the delicate new shoots from harsh sunlight. This naturally suppresses the conversion of savory umami components (L-theanine) into astringent catechins—an effect akin to the "kabuse" (shading) process used for Gyokuro, performed by nature itself.

  • Soil Nurtured by the River: The vibrant, life-filled soil of this land is a gift from the Hoshino River (part of the Yabe River system). Over millennia, nutrient-rich sediment from the volcanic mountains upstream has been carried down and deposited, creating this fertile alluvial soil. Furthermore, the stone-walled terraced fields built on the steep slopes are not only beautiful but functionally critical. They provide excellent drainage, preventing root rot by allowing excess rainwater to flow away quickly, thus creating the ideal physical environment for the tea plant's roots to grow deep and strong.

  • The Perfect Chemistry: What makes Hoshino's terroir even more special is that this rich soil is naturally "weakly acidic" (pH 4.5-5.5), which is optimal for the tea plant's growth. This specific quality is key, enabling the plant to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil and channel that power directly into its leaves.