ShiZen Tea
Honoka WAKOCHA - Japanese black tea from the rare "Izumi" cultivar, Sashima 20g
Honoka WAKOCHA - Japanese black tea from the rare "Izumi" cultivar, Sashima 20g
The Lost Blossom
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A rare Izumi wakocha with a gentle black-tea cup.
A quick first read of the cup, the first brew, and the closest nearby tea to compare.
What the cup is like
A lighter Japanese black tea for people who want floral aroma and soft tannins rather than a heavy cup.
First cup
Brew this first cup once, then adjust leaf, water temperature, or time to your taste.
A Floral, Perfume-like Japanese Black Tea from Sashima
This Japanese black tea — wakocha — comes from Yoshida Chaen in Sashima, Ibaraki, made from Izumi, a once-lost cultivar revived by the Yoshida family. When the dry leaves meet hot water, the cup opens with a striking floral, almost perfume-like aroma over a soft, naturally sweet base. The tannins are surprisingly gentle — closer in character to a fine sencha than to a strong overseas black tea.
Wakocha — Japanese-style black tea — is still a small category in Japan, accounting for only a couple of percent of total tea production. Within that small category, Izumi stands apart for its floral brilliance: a clear bouquet of spring flowers and a sweet richness in the background, supported by an unusually low astringency and a soft mouthfeel.
We like this tea hot, in a small pot, in the afternoon. The aroma lifts on the first pour and lingers on the finish; the cup is gentle enough to enjoy on its own, but distinctive enough that you notice it from the first sip.
New to Japanese black tea? Our short guide explains how wakocha differs from green tea and from overseas black teas: What is wakocha?
Who This Tea Is For
- For people curious about Japanese black tea (wakocha) but unsure how it differs from overseas black teas like Assam or Ceylon
- For black-tea drinkers who prefer a softer, more aromatic cup over a strong, tannic one
- For green-tea drinkers ready for a fragrant change of pace that still feels distinctly Japanese
- For hot afternoon brewing, small-pot tasting, or a 20g trial size that suits both gifts and personal exploration
- For comparing this tea with nearby ShiZen Tea cups
What Makes This Tea Different
- Izumi, a once-lost cultivar: Izumi was originally developed for export as a pan-fired green tea and disappeared from production as the market changed. It is a descendant of the Benihomare black-tea cultivar and carries a rare potential for full oxidation as a black tea. Yoshida Chaen spent years bringing it back; its defining character is a floral brilliance — spring-flower aromatics with a sweet finish — unlike any common wakocha cultivar.
- Sashima terroir: Sashima is a historic tea district in Ibaraki, distinguished as the source of the first Japanese tea exported to the United States in 1859. The Tone River brings fertile soil and the cold winters produce robust, flavorful leaves.
- Yoshida Chaen craftsmanship: Yoshida Chaen has made tea in Sashima since 1839. The 6th-generation owner Masahiro Yoshida builds the tea from the field up — minimal organic fertilizer, careful soil cultivation, and machinery operated as an extension of the hand, adjusted to the leaf condition every day.
- Award-recognized producer: Yoshida Chaen's work has been recognized in major Japanese tea competitions. Their Japanese black tea received a 5-star rating at the Premium Tea Contest 2020, and their Japanese green tea has taken the Highest Gold Award at the World Green Tea Contest. These recognize Yoshida Chaen's broader work, not this specific 2024 Honoka lot.
How to Brew Honoka
Hot Brew (recommended)
- Tea: 2.5g (about 2 servings)
- Water: 150ml / 5 fl oz, just-boiled (100°C / 212°F)
- Time: 4 minutes
Pre-warm the teapot and cup to let the aroma rise more clearly. The first cup leads with the floral aroma; tannins stay soft even at full boiling.
Second & Third Infusions
- Water: 100°C / 212°F
- Time: 60 to 90 seconds for the second, slightly longer for the third
Honoka holds up to three or four infusions. Later infusions soften further, with a fresher, more refreshing character — a useful contrast to the first floral pour.
Iced Brew
- Tea: 4g
- Hot water: 150ml / 5 fl oz at 100°C / 212°F, then pour over plenty of ice
- Time: 2 minutes hot, then ice
For a chilled cup in warm weather, brew strong and hot first, then chill over ice. The floral aroma carries through into the iced cup.
About This 2024 Lot — Why a Spring 2024 Wakocha Can Be at Its Best Now
Unlike green tea, Japanese black tea is fully oxidized and behaves differently with time. A fully oxidized tea does not fade in the same way a fresh sencha does in the months after harvest; sealed and stored carefully, it can mellow — its aroma rounds, its tannins soften further, and the cup becomes more integrated.
This Spring 2024 lot has had time to settle since harvest. We are pouring it now because it is in a particularly good drinking window: the floral aroma is at its rounded best, and the cup feels softer and more cohesive than it would have at first release.
To enjoy it well: keep the bag sealed and away from heat, light, and strong odors. Once opened, drink within about three months for the brightest aroma.
Teas to Try Alongside This One
Honoka is a floral, aromatic Japanese black tea. These three companions help frame it from different angles in one small tea selection.
- Yuzu Wakocha: the same category, the opposite lead character — citrus-forward, co-fermented with yuzu peel from Shizuoka. Side by side, the two show the range of what Japanese black tea can be: floral and gentle (Honoka) vs. bright with yuzu citrus (Yuzu).
- Saemidori Sencha: a fresh, mellow Japanese green tea to alternate with Honoka during the day. Same family of leaf craftsmanship, different cup — green-tea umami in the morning, wakocha aroma in the afternoon.
- Organic Sencha Superior: a mellow spring-pick organic sencha from Kawane. Useful as a sensory anchor — it shows how light and clean Japanese green tea tastes, which makes Honoka's floral aroma stand out more clearly when you taste them in sequence.
Choosing a Few Teas
This tea ships directly from Japan. If you are choosing a few teas together, Honoka pairs naturally with a daily sencha and a fragrant or matcha-based green tea so you can taste the range of Japanese tea side by side.
Comparison FAQ
What is wakocha (Japanese black tea)?
Wakocha is Japanese-style black tea — tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have been fully oxidized (the same general process as Assam, Ceylon, or Darjeeling) but grown and finished in Japan. It is still a small category in Japan: most Japanese tea is green tea, and wakocha accounts for only a couple of percent of total production. Compared with common overseas black teas, Japanese wakocha tends to be softer in tannin and more aromatic.
How is Honoka different from Yuzu Wakocha?
Both are Japanese black teas, but they lead with very different character. Honoka is a single-cultivar wakocha from Izumi — its lead character is a floral, perfume-like aroma with very soft tannins and a clean finish. Yuzu Wakocha is a Yabukita-based wakocha co-fermented with yuzu peel from the start — its lead character is a bright citrus aroma over a mild wakocha base. Same category, non-overlapping appeal: choose Honoka for floral Izumi aroma, Yuzu for citrus brightness.
Is a Spring 2024 wakocha still fresh?
Yes — and this is a good drinking window for it. Unlike green tea, wakocha is fully oxidized and does not fade quickly in the months after harvest. Stored sealed and away from heat and light, it can mellow over the following year — the aroma rounds and the tannins soften. The 2024 Honoka lot we are pouring now is at a particularly rounded, integrated point.
How is this different from common overseas black teas like Assam or Ceylon?
Overseas black teas like Assam, Ceylon, and English-breakfast styles are typically full-bodied and brisk, with stronger tannins that hold up to milk and sugar. Honoka sits at the opposite end of the black-tea range: low tannin, soft body, aromatic. It's most often enjoyed hot, with the aroma as the focus — closer in feel to a fine sencha than to a brisk breakfast black tea.
Is this tea organic?
Honoka is not certified organic as a finished product. Yoshida Chaen builds the tea from the field with a focus on minimal organic fertilizer and soil cultivation, but the finished tea does not carry an organic label. For Japanese tea that does, see our Organic Sencha Superior or Organic Matcha.
Can I cold brew Honoka?
Cold brew is possible, but Honoka rewards hot brewing more clearly — the floral aroma opens up best in just-boiled water. For a chilled cup, brew strong and hot first (4g in 150ml at 100°C for 2 minutes), then pour over plenty of ice.
FAQ
Q. How soon will my order be shipped?
A. We typically ship orders within 1-3 business days. In the rare event that an item is out of stock, it may take longer. If that happens, we will contact you directly to discuss the options.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. If there is a quality issue, damage, defect, or wrong item, please contact us within 30 days so we can arrange a refund or replacement. Unopened tea in its original factory-sealed package and unused tea ware can be returned within 14 days. Opened tea cannot be returned for food-safety reasons. Orders can be cancelled before shipment. Please see our Refund Policy for the full terms.
Q. Is this tea organic?
A. This tea is not certified organic. It is produced in Japan under Japanese agricultural standards. If you are looking specifically for certified organic tea, we recommend our Organic Sencha or Organic Matcha.
Q. Will I have to pay customs and import taxes?
A. For U.S. orders, import duties and related charges are currently handled by ShiZen Tea when applicable, so you should not normally be asked to pay customs charges on delivery. For other countries, customs duties, import taxes, or local fees may vary depending on your country's regulations and may be charged to the buyer. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure.
Q. Can I track my order?
A. Yes, tracking is available for all orders. Once your order has been shipped, you will receive a confirmation email containing your tracking number and a link to track your package.
Q. How much caffeine does this tea contain?
A. Yes. Like other Japanese green teas, this tea contains caffeine. The exact amount can vary depending on the tea amount, water temperature, and steeping time. If you are sensitive to caffeine, we recommend enjoying it earlier in the day.
Q. How should I store the tea?
A. Please store the tea in a cool, dark place, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. After opening, seal the package tightly and enjoy it as soon as possible, while the aroma is still fresh.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
A. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) as well as PayPal.