Terroir - Kagoshima Saemidori -

The Alchemy of Kagoshima: Turning Challenge into Character

 

At ShiZen Tea, we travel across Japan to find exceptional teas and share their stories. We are honored to introduce you to a special Saemidori we discovered in the sun-blessed region of Kagoshima.

 

A Land of Blessings and Trials

 

Kagoshima is a region at the southern tip of Japan, a place of immense natural energy. When we visited, we were struck by the power of the landscape. The active volcano, Sakurajima, stands as a symbol of the region, and its past eruptions have blessed the land with a unique soil called "Shirasu."

This soil is light and drains water exceptionally well, which is ideal for growing healthy tea. This, combined with the region’s famously bright and abundant sunshine, creates teas with a distinctly cheerful and vibrant character. It is this sun-filled energy that we wanted to capture and bring to you.

However, Kagoshima is not simply a paradise. It is a land that demands growers to deeply understand the characteristics of nature, to constantly engage with it, and to apply their ingenuity. The very soil that drains so well struggles to retain nutrients, and the volcano that enriches the earth sometimes covers the fields in ash. Furthermore, in the mountainous areas and basins, the rivers and topography frequently generate a deep mist. This mist acts as a natural veil, gently shielding the tea leaves from the harsh sun. As the sunlight softens, the tea’s astringency is suppressed, and its rich umami components are slowly nurtured.

 

Answering Nature with a Quiet Wisdom

 

What impresses us most when we speak with the growers in Kagoshima is their powerful attitude of overcoming these challenges with wisdom and skill, turning them into unique strengths.

This philosophy is perfectly embodied in the story of "Yutakamidori," a variety that is now famous as a representative of Kagoshima. This variety was once poorly regarded in other regions, dismissed for being "too astringent". The growers of Kagoshima, however, saw its other possibilities. Through persistent research into their own unique techniques—such as covering the tea plants before harvest and employing a deep-steaming method—they transformed what was once considered a "flaw" into a rich, full-bodied sweetness.

This attitude of believing in the value of an overlooked characteristic and maximizing its appeal through technique is a common thread that also runs through their history of boldly shifting from black tea to green tea in a time of crisis, and their technological innovations to overcome the difficulties of volcanic ash.

They do not simply obey or fight against nature; they understand it, engage with it, and coexist. And this dedicated philosophy is deeply alive in the "Saemidori" variety we have chosen for you.

We feel compelled to bring this Kagoshima tea to you because we believe its flavor is infused with the sincere and earnest spirit of its growers.