Approaching the Depth and Effort of Japanese Tea Making
When you deeply understand the manufacturing process of Japanese tea, you will be surprised by the differences from oolong tea and black tea. For example, oolong tea is completed simply by boiling after being fermented to a certain degree.
On the other hand, black tea becomes a finished product by simply leaving the plucked tea leaves in their natural state to allow fermentation to progress. While oolong tea and black tea are made through relatively simple processes, Japanese tea requires significantly more effort in its manufacturing process. After the tea leaves are plucked, Japanese tea must go through processes such as “rolling,” “steaming,” and “drying.” These are not simple tasks, but require advanced skills and experience to apply the optimal treatment each time while assessing the condition of the tea leaves. For example, if freshly plucked tea leaves are not steamed at the proper timing, their taste and aroma will be compromised. Even after steaming, they must be skillfully rolled to shape them and dried thoroughly. This series of processes can be said to be an accumulation of craftsmanship.
Roasting Also Has Stages—The Depth of Japanese Tea
Furthermore, the process of “roasting” is added to the manufacturing of Japanese tea. This roasting is also done in stages—primary and secondary—and the aroma and flavor of the tea leaves are carefully drawn out at each stage. Tea leaves that have had this much effort put into them are finally passed into the hands of roasters and retailers, and then delivered to consumers. You can see that a vast amount of time and the work of many people are involved in a single sip of Japanese tea. For instance, data shows that in a certain tea factory in Shizuoka Prefecture, more than five specialized craftsmen are involved when processing about 40 kg of tea leaves in an hour. In this way, “labor-intensive manufacturing” that goes beyond mere efficiency is practiced on the front lines of Japanese tea making.
Brand Power Created by Human Hands
Knowing this background, the spirit of Japanese tea making becomes visible. It is not simply relying on the blessings of nature, but an attitude where people spare no effort and “do everything possible to improve quality.” The accumulation of these quiet tasks supports the core of Japanese tea’s brand power. When you visit a manufacturing site, you are overwhelmed by their quiet passion and dedication. This can be said to be a value that goes beyond a single product called “tea” and applies to Japanese manufacturing (monozukuri) as a whole.
(To be continued)
Related Article: :Global Japanese Tea Association “Japanese Tea Kinds”
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