{"title":"Suitable for Sparkling Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSparkling tea is a newer way of drinking tea that has been spreading in recent years, and some high-end restaurants and cafes have taken it up. Rather than mixing tea with bottled sparkling water or brewing it in sparkling water, you cold brew the tea first and then carbonate it in a soda maker such as a Drinkmate. Made with a tea that suits it, the result is a revelation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"b29","title":"Wild Black Tea","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Black Tea Made from Wild Tea Growing Deep in the Mountains of Yunnan Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild Black Tea is a strong black tea made from wild tea growing deep in the mountains of Yunnan Province. Wild tea refers to tea growing naturally in the mountains, untouched by human hands.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is characterized by a honey-like sweet aroma, strong body, and profound richness unique to wild tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in minerals, it improves blood circulation, making you feel warm and relaxed almost instantly.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F951F0DF-1894-430D-AC8F-941ACD71D306.png?v=1614601516\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Black Tea Made from Leaves Harvested from Wild Tea Trees\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C7161E64-87F2-45EA-B72F-F70234602154.png?v=1614601610\" alt=\"Harvesting Wild Tea\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea trees refer to natural tea trees growing in remote mountain areas of Yunnan Province, not old trees over hundreds or thousands of years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n  When we first introduced Wild Black Tea around 2013, black tea made from wild tea was very rare and difficult to obtain. However, by the 2020s, black tea made from wild tea became a kind of boom, and everyone started making wild black tea. Unfortunately, many of these teas have not been well-managed, resulting in an over-fermented, stuffy smell, or lacking top notes, leading to unsatisfactory quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5358359D-10CF-42F6-BDDA-D4F56455C6AD.png?v=1614601694\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea Infusion\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Well-made Wild Black Tea should have a very complex aroma and a strong aftertaste with profound richness unique to wild tea. Depending on the water used to brew the tea, the aroma changes significantly. With the right water, it has a honey fragrance similar to Oriental Beauty tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/E87C907B-A16B-4D88-8A90-D3E58D1F3950.png?v=1614601755\" alt=\"Wild Black Tea Leaves\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    What is Wild Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Our wild tea is harvested from the  mountain in Lincang, Yunnan Province. Wild tea refers to tea growing naturally in the mountains without any human intervention.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Almost every store or site specializing in Chinese pu-erh tea has \"wild tea,\" but I would say that 90% of them are not wild tea but tea harvested from old tea trees cultivated by ethnic minorities near their village or in their tea garden.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    True wild tea should grow in the mountains without any human care.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A man in an old cultivated tea tree beside tall mossy wild tea trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_02_1719317248.jpg?v=1719317256\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_02_1719317248.jpg?v=1719317256\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Deliciousness of Wild Vegetables\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In spring, Japanese people often eat wild vegetables, which are very tasty. Cultivated vegetables taste completely different from those grown in the mountains even those they are replanted.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The sweetness is particularly notable. Wild tea is very sweet, like wild vegetables harvested from the mountains, leaving a sweet aftertaste in the throat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I have never tasted such a mellow and sweet tea in my life. Wild Black Tea is one of the strongest teas sold by HOJO, making you feel tea intoxication immediately after drinking.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It warms your body instantly, making you feel relaxed right away.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/5EF94331-3B6B-41C0-8102-A0DA748D3313.png?v=1614601850\" alt=\"Wild Tea Aroma\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Grape-Like Aroma\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While many wild teas are bitter and cater to enthusiasts, Wild Black Tea is an exception.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Like wild vegetables that vary in bitterness, wild tea flavors vary by tree. The Ai Lao Shan wild tea sold last year was slightly bitter.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In contrast, Wild Black Tea has no bitterness. It has a strong woody aroma, and after drinking, a faint aroma of wild grapes or dried apricots lingers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Additionally, this tea has a smoky aroma. Interestingly, the smoky aroma present before drinking disappears in the mouth.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I carefully selected teas from nearly 20 different wild tea regions to find non-bitter teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Loved by Children\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    My children also love this tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Good tea is rich in iron, similar in nature to human body fluids and breast milk.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although the aroma doesn't seem suitable for children, when brewed, they often say, \"It has a strong flavor and is delicious.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    They repeatedly ask for refills, and by the time they finish drinking, their faces are flushed and their bodies are very warm.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in iron, it is said to be good for modern people who are often iron-deficient.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u0026nbsp;\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    How is Wild Tea Different from Regular Tea?\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea grows amidst fierce competition with other plants. In the dim forest, tea leaves strive to reach sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, the tea tree only has leaves at the top where it receives sunlight. Despite the tree's size, the few leaves contain a high concentration of minerals.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Without pruning or fertilizers, the wild tea tree grows very slowly, resulting in small, dense cells that produce rich flavors like freshly harvested wild vegetables.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Rich in iron, it is also beneficial for those who need iron. Wild tea leaves are characteristically brownish, even when fresh.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Old tea trees on a hillside and a hand holding young leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_01_1719317173.jpg?v=1719317180\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d27e_01_1719317173.jpg?v=1719317180\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The above photo shows tea trees hundreds of years old. High-quality raw pu-erh tea is made from such old trees.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, these old trees are not wild tea. They are old and high-quality tea leaves, but they are classified as \"cultivated tea.\"\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Wild tea trees in a forest, with close-ups of bark and a shoot\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d22e_02_1719317301.jpg?v=1719317303\" id=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ly_d22e_02_1719317301.jpg?v=1719317303\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This is a wild tea tree growing deep in the mountains, a few hours' walk from the nearest village.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea grows at altitudes around 2000m and above, with trees ranging from young to over 1000 years old. The buds stretch upwards, seeking sunlight.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Video of Wild Tea Exploration\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This video shows my wild tea exploration, giving you a better understanding of wild tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k6WRvgJl80g\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932460806320,"sku":"b29ca","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932460839088,"sku":"b29cc","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932460871856,"sku":"b29cb","price":10400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932460904624,"sku":"b29cv","price":34200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/b29_06.jpg?v=1737905825"},{"product_id":"w04","title":"Gu Shu Yinzhen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Gu Shu means \"old tree\" in Chinese. This tea is produced from old tea trees that are several hundred years old. The tea trees are owned by minority ethnic groups in Yunnan who strictly follow the traditions of their ancestors.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Silvery tea buds resting on a white dish\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9235\/1065\/files\/GSYZ2023-7_480x480.jpg?v=1683874022\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea is made from a single tea bud, hand-plucked in early spring from high mountains. It has a sweet, grassy note with a pleasant drinking sensation reminiscent of a spring garden in the highlands. The taste is smooth and soft, with no bitterness or astringency, making it enjoyable for the whole family. The tea can be served with hot or cold water.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0929.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The old tea tree\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0929.jpg\" title=\"IMG_0929\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    The Tea is Produced from Semi-Wild Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea bushes were planted independently and grow like wild plants, surrounded by weeds that have grown as tall as the tea trees themselves. The weeds are only cut just before plucking. When I first saw the growing area, I could hardly believe there were any tea trees at all. The trunks were remarkably pale, and the leaves were yellowish due to a shortage of nitrogen. The tea trees were completely blended into the surrounding ecosystem. According to the locals, they follow exactly what they learned from their ancestors, and this tradition has been preserved for thousands of years. However, many areas in Yunnan are rapidly shifting to modern agricultural practices, making it increasingly rare to find places where traditional farming is still observed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0920.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Tea garden of Gu Shu Yinzhen\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0920.jpg\" title=\"IMG_0920\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0936.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Tea garden of Gu Shu Yinzhen\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0936.jpg\" title=\"IMG_0936\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Extraordinarily Strong Aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The main characteristic of Gu Shu Yinzhen is its overwhelming aftertaste. Once you drink this tea, the taste reaches deep down the throat, and the sweetness and flavor linger for a very long time. Since this tea is very strong, I usually limit myself to just a few cups, or else I would get tea-drunk. Thanks to the highly concentrated minerals, it leaves a warm and relaxed feeling. The tea leaves also hold up for many infusions — once I prepare this tea in the morning, I can keep brewing it until evening.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3062.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"White tea\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3062.jpg\" title=\"IMG_3062\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3069.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Brewing Gu Shu Yinzhen in Gaiwan\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3069.jpg\" title=\"IMG_3069\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    You Can Keep Brewing Over a Day\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The unique feature of this tea is that it maintains its fresh flavor throughout the day. Even if you stop brewing and leave the wet leaves for several hours, no off-flavors will develop. Instead, a pleasant fruity note emerges. I often brew this tea at night and continue into the next morning. To my surprise, the flavor was even fruitier and more pleasant when I resumed the next day.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Excellent Performance in Cold Water Brewing\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I also recommend brewing this tea in cold water, which is unexpectedly refreshing. Thanks to its strong aftertaste, even my kids love it. All you need is 5g of tea leaves in 1 liter of water, left in the fridge for several hours. If it is too strong, simply dilute it. For a fuller flavor, use water that has been boiled and then cooled down.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":44932451664048,"sku":"w04cc","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932451696816,"sku":"w04cb","price":6800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":44932451729584,"sku":"w04cv","price":22800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_3044.jpg?v=1737905698"},{"product_id":"w03","title":"Ancient Bai Mu Dan (Gushu Bai Mu Dan )","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n    Ancient Bai Mu Dan is a white tea made from one bud and one leaf plucked in March.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    At HOJO, we use tea leaves plucked from ancient trees grown naturally in Yunnan Province to produce Ancient Bai Mu Dan. This tea combines quality and visual beauty, making it extremely rare even in China. It has a floral flavor characteristic of white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea has a gentle flavor, making it popular with children, and is also recommended for cold brewing. Additionally, it is suitable for aging; when stored unopened (oxygen-free) for several years, it develops a muscat-like fruity flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To produce our Ancient Bai Mu Dan, we source fresh tea leaves from naturally cultivated, pesticide-free and fertilizer-free tea gardens in Yunnan Province and manage the processing ourselves to create the ideal white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The leaves are plucked from trees estimated to be over 100 years old, offering a deep, rich flavor that penetrates deeply.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dried white tea leaves on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2018-01-25_13.20.53.png?v=1615892740\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We created our original Ancient Bai Mu Dan using tea leaves harvested from ancient trees growing at altitudes of around 2100 meters in Yunnan Province. This tea breaks the conventional concept of white tea with its exceptional quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hazy mountain ridges beyond flowering plants and green trees\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0487.jpg?v=1615892785\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The landscape around the production area of Ancient Bai Mu Dan\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Quality of Raw Materials Directly Reflects the Quality of White Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The simplicity of white tea production means that the quality of the raw tea leaves directly affects the quality of the finished tea. Therefore, improving the quality of the fresh tea leaves naturally enhances the quality of the white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Based on our experience, the highest quality tea leaves in China come from tea gardens in remote areas of Yunnan Province, at altitudes above 2000 meters, where the trees are naturally cultivated.\u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #fff;\"\u003en Tea \u0026gt;\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14px; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.01071em;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In these area, tea gardens are not like those in Japan or Fujian Province. The tea trees are left to grow naturally, and some trees can reach the height of a two-story house.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We select tea gardens that practice complete natural cultivation\/sustainable without pesticides, fertilizers, or even weeding around the trees, and arrange to obtain raw materials from these gardens.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A worker among dense tea trees on a hillside\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9880.jpg?v=1615892853\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Fujian Province White Tea Prices Skyrocket, Leading to Mass Production\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In Fujian Province, famous for its white tea, prices have been rising continuously over the past 7-8 years. This trend started around 2000 when the concept of \"aging white tea through long-term storage\" was introduced.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Previously, white tea had to be sold within the year, but now, the older the tea, the higher the price it fetches. As a result, white tea has become an investment commodity in Fujian Province, with prices rising more than tenfold.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Naturally, to increase production and income, farmers in Fujian Province began using more fertilizers, leading to a general decline in tea quality. With high prices and low quality, HOJO has spent several years preparing to switch all our white tea production to Yunnan Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Terraced rows of tea bushes on a hillside\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4579.jpg?v=1615892913\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Typical white tea gardens in Fuding, Fujian Province\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Producing Our Own Tea Using Local Facilities\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    One frequent issue with producing white tea in Yunnan Province is the lack of proper tea processing techniques and management. Many producers in Yunnan believe that \"white tea only needs to be naturally dried\" and neglect the detailed steps, often diminishing the value of the high-quality raw materials.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If withering is not properly managed, the tea leaves can turn black due to excessive fermentation caused by inappropriate temperature, air circulation, and leaf overlap during the withering process.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Such tea leaves develop a distinct flavor reminiscent of dried wood ear mushrooms, which I personally do not prefer. To bring out the best flavor from high-quality raw materials, proper management of the withering process is crucial.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Over the past few years, we have been involved in the actual production of white tea at the production sites. This experience has enabled us to produce white tea independently, provided we have the necessary facilities.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When producing Ancient Bai Mu Dan, we directed the production methods and management parameters to the workers and managed each batch to achieve the quality HOJO aims for.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves spread out in a round bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9387-1.jpg?v=1615892978\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Using Naturally Cultivated Tea from High Altitude Gardens\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The raw tea leaves for this product were harvested around 2100 meters in the southwestern part of Lincang, Yunnan Province. The tea is plucked as one bud and one leaf.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A person in a hat standing among tea trees and white flowers\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8928.jpg?v=1615893029\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding freshly plucked tea shoots and leaves\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9347_836a56d4-dd4c-4d32-ac2a-8681acf0383d.jpg?v=1789407634\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    How to Make White Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea is defined\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    How to Make White Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea is defined as tea that undergoes withering and slight fermentation without pan-frying or rolling.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea has a long history, existing for over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest types of tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Fresh tea leaves are plucked and then withered briefly in the sun before being slowly withered in the shade for several days. The dehydration stress gradually activates the tea's enzymes, resulting in slight fermentation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    If the withering time is short, the leaves retain a green color and floral flavor. Conversely, longer withering results in a slightly brown color and a fruity flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As mentioned earlier, if the tea leaves become damp during withering, they can turn black and develop an over-fermented smell similar to dried mushrooms. This product is withered for approximately 48 hours (depending on daily weather), resulting in a balanced flavor with floral and subtle fruity notes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves spread across a woven bamboo mat\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9322.jpg?v=1615893095\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves spread on tiers of bamboo racks\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/1A509DC4-A2BA-47A6-B004-570C5C4FB726.png?v=1615893281\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Achieving Rich Flavor by Avoiding Heat Processing\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    There are several methods to produce white tea. The mainstream method in Fujian Province involves a short heat treatment in a drying machine after the withering process. This helps to suppress the green-grassy note, clarifies the flavor and aroma, and brings out a sweet fragrance.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, while this process enhances the sweet flavor, it also diminishes the fresh and floral scent. The raw tea leaves used by HOJO are naturally cultivated and therefore have minimal green-grassy notes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, we deliberately omit the final heat treatment to preserve the fresh, distinctive flavor of just-withering white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When you taste Ancient Bai Mu Dan, you will notice a rich floral fragrance, a very long finish, and a satisfying body. This tea is recommended not only for white tea enthusiasts but also for those new to white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dried white tea leaves scattered on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_1122-1.jpg?v=1615893141\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry tea leaves in a white cup with a blue rim\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9334.jpg?v=1615893157\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brewed tea leaves in a white cup with a blue rim\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9338.jpg?v=1615893180\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pale yellow tea in a white cup with a porcelain spoon\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/FA973ACF-D9EB-4590-8C61-80848285B16C.png?v=1615893253\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":43880370733232,"sku":"w03cc","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932451205296,"sku":"w03cb","price":6800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932451238064,"sku":"w03cv","price":22800.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3970-2.jpg?v=1787721646"},{"product_id":"w15","title":"Silver Needle ( Bai Hao Yinzhen )","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) Made from Naturally Grown Yunnan Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen), is made from naturally grown Yunnan tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The raw material comes from a tea garden at an altitude of 2100m, near the Myanmar border in Lincang, harvested in March as the first flush, using completely pesticide-free, fertilizer-free, naturally grown tea. It is finished only by withering without applying heat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It has a very long aftertaste characteristic of naturally grown tea, with a transparent and sweet flavor without any off-flavors. It is very soft and free of bitterness, making it a tea that can be enjoyed with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Product Details\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Slender silvery tea buds on a white background\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2018-01-25_13.44.59.png?v=1615896685\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Enjoyed by Children\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Children's taste buds and noses are much more sensitive than parents might think.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, children are often the best judges of tea quality in the household. Children tend to prefer natural flavors and are less likely to enjoy flavored teas.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea is the favorite of children because of its gentle natural flavor and texture. Why not offer white tea to your children instead of juice or sports drinks?\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Tea Leaves Floating Up and Down Like Bamboo Leaves Falling\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Try brewing it in a tall glass. As the tea leaves absorb water, they gradually stand upright, aligning on the water surface like the tips of spears.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The upright leaves move up and down, reminiscent of watching a quiet bamboo grove.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Can Be Brewed with Cold Water\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) can also be brewed with cold water. If brewing with cold water, wait patiently for about an hour. Cold water brewing enhances the freshness of the flavor and brings out more sweetness, making it perfect for a refreshing drink when you come home.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    After brewing with cold water, try pouring hot water over the tea leaves again. You can enjoy a different flavor experience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Even if you accidentally leave it in hot water for an hour, it won't become bitter. The endlessly sweet and gentle flavor is sure to be liked by children and those who are not fond of the bitterness of tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Slender silvery tea leaves on a wooden board\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/2E46CDC9-ED48-4A77-AC13-EBC1F41E65C2.png?v=1615896750\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Issues with White Tea from Fujian Province\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Rising Prices\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since around 2010, the idea of aging white tea has become popular in Fujian Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, producers no longer need to rush to sell white tea in spring, and unsold tea can be sold at higher prices as aged tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This has led to speculation on white tea, causing prices to rise. What was once an affordable tea has become a luxury tea in recent years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    While it is possible to source white tea at high prices, the aftertaste is often shallow, making it less appealing from a consumer perspective.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\n    Pesticide Issues\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High-quality white tea from Fujian Province is primarily marketed domestically, and pesticide management is often lacking compared to tea for export.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Even if we find tea to meet our requirement in flavor, we often face issues with pesticide residues, making it impossible to source.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Although there is organic white tea in China, obtaining organic certification in China costs more than 10 thousands USD, making it unattainable for small farmers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As a result, only large-scale producers can obtain organic certification, and to recoup their investment, they use plenty of organic fertilizers and pesticides to increase yield.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In reality, regardless of whether it is organic or not, the faster the tea grows, the lower the quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I have visited many organic tea gardens, but rarely do they meet my quality standards due to their shallow aftertaste and lack of depth in flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    White Tea Has Been Produced in Yunnan Province for a Long Time\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In fact, white tea has not only been produced in Fujian Province. The history of white tea is longer than that of any other tea, and teas resembling modern white tea were being produced in various parts of China around 1000 BC.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea has long been produced in Yunnan Province as well. While Yunnan is famous for Pu-erh tea and black tea, white tea is also produced there.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, traditional sun-drying methods are used for white tea in Yunnan Province, giving it somewhat different flavor compared to Fujian white tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    The Further You Go into Remote Areas, the Better the Raw Materials and the Lower the Processing Level\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    A distinctive trend in Yunnan Province is that the further you go into remote mountain villages, the better the quality of the tea leaves.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Especially in areas near the Myanmar border, there are many naturally grown, pesticide-free tea gardens with excellent quality tea leaves.\n    \u003ca href=\"..\/pages\/about-golden-tea\" style=\"color: #fff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    We can obtain dream-like tea leaves with a very long aftertaste and strong flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    However, going to remote areas also means that producers often lack adequate production facilities and processing skills, leading to improper processing of the excellent raw materials.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Especially, the plucking standards can cause inconsistency during withering, requiring management from the plucking stage and strict quality control.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Producing Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) Using Fujian Methods, Not Yunnan Methods\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    I have relationships with various farmers who owns the garden of naturally grown tea in Yunnan Province, so the challenge was how to process these high-quality raw materials effectively.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When white tea is made using traditional Yunnan methods, it often results in poorly processed white tea with brown leaves, like the common Yue Guang Bai.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Therefore, I selected a producer from my contacts who had the management capability to produce white tea, and spent a month teaching them how to set up the equipment and produce Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen).\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Through continuous improvement every year, we have now reached a point where we can produce tea of  ideal quality. The raw material is completely pesticide-free, naturally grown tea from a tea garden at an altitude of 2000m in Lincang, harvested in March as the first flush.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A hand holding a spoon of pale yellow tea over a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/9F43580A-E7F8-47F5-BB13-0EAB1CAB770C.png?v=1615896808\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brewed Silver Needle leaves in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C4FE2B4F-7E75-4341-9281-986A6589BAD2.png?v=1615896849\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Yellow-green tea leaves unfurled in a glass pitcher\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/F1E8A62D-0DB2-4FEB-A162-BD27B2831CBE.png?v=1615896877\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Completion of Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) with Unprecedented Deep Aftertaste\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea has a very long aftertaste characteristic of naturally grown tea, with a transparent and sweet flavor without any off-flavors.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Despite the long aftertaste like Pu-erh tea, it is elegantly finished like white tea from Fujian Province. The long withering process results in a milder and creamier mouthfeel.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Brewed yellow-green tea leaves in a white cup\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/ACEED8C0-A415-4A08-A85A-FAEB07E5A81D.png?v=1615896932\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    It is good to drink immediately, but if you age it for several years while unopened, sweet flavors like honey, muscat, and peach will develop. White tea can also be delicious when cold-brewed, making it popular with children.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Uncertain Future Production of Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen)\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To produce Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen), only the buds are plucked, but this task is not familiar to the ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province, making it very challenging to persuade them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Only 400-500g of tea leaves can be plucked per day, and after processing, each person can only produce 100g of tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Due to the difficulty in plucking tea this time, I was told, \"We don't want to pluck it next year.\" I plan to convince them to continue producing it, but the future of this tea remains uncertain.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"20g (small bag)","offer_id":44932451074224,"sku":"w15ca","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g (in can)","offer_id":44932451106992,"sku":"w15cc","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"120g (large bag\/40g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932451139760,"sku":"w15cb","price":9300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [40g x 3 bags] x 5 bags)","offer_id":44932451172528,"sku":"w15cv","price":38400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_2952-1.jpg?v=1737905690"},{"product_id":"w25","title":"Ancient White Tea ( Gushu Bai Cha )","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green and silvery tea leaves in a metal scoop\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4846-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ancient White Tea (Gushu Baicha) is made from tea leaves plucked from old trees, using one bud and two to three leaves. It is a luxurious white tea that combines a floral flavor with a long, lingering aftertaste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Metal bowl filled with tea leaves covered in fine white down\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7603\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4771-1.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea from High-Altitude Old Trees\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Ancient White Tea is made from tea grown in sustainable, naturally cultivated gardens at an altitude of 2100–2200 meters in Zhenkang County, Lincang City. The tea leaves are sourced from a garden owned by a friend and fellow tea producer with whom we collaborate. Due to the high altitude, old tree age, and natural cultivation, the tea grows very slowly, and the first flush is not harvested until April. Slowly grown tea is rich in minerals and polyphenols, resulting in a deep aftertaste and a long finish.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea trees and grass in a garden with mountains behind\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7591\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3629.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Refreshing Citrus Flavor\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    To bring out the best characteristics of Ancient White Tea, we pluck using one bud and 2–3 leaves rather than one bud and one leaf. Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle), made from a single bud, and Bai Mudan (White Peony), made from one bud and one leaf, both have a creamy texture due to their high amino acid content. In contrast, one bud and 2–3 leaves contain more polyphenols, resulting in a cleaner taste and a more pronounced floral flavor. Ancient White Tea has a refreshing citrus character and a clear, transparent taste.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry green and silvery tea leaves in a white bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7602\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4870-2.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Hand holding a spoon in a white bowl of pale yellow tea\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7595\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4877.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Green and silvery tea leaves on a white dish\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-7594\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4871.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Enhanced Flavor with Aging\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Teas with high polyphenol content are well suited for aging. In the case of white tea in particular, aging in an oxygen-free environment further enhances its flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Pile of green and silvery tea leaves on a dark surface\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7597\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4851.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Non-Heat Processing of White Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    White tea is made without applying any heat, which preserves the enzymes in the tea leaves. After plucking, the leaves are spread on mats in a well-ventilated indoor space to slowly release moisture through withering. This dehydration stress activates the leaf enzymes, triggering a gentle fermentation. Unlike oolong and black tea, where heat is applied after withering to halt fermentation, white tea is continuously withered and simultaneously dried until fully dry.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Man spreading tea leaves by hand on a bamboo mat\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7593\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3944.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Bamboo tray filled with dry tea leaves covered in fine white down\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-7592\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3985.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Ideal for Cold Brew Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    This tea is also excellent when cold brewed. As a guide, 5g of tea leaves can yield about 2 liters of cold brew. Simply soak the leaves in water and refrigerate for about half a day. Be sure to remove the leaves after brewing. Using water that has been boiled and cooled will further enhance the flavor and aroma. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for several days. Children love it too, so it is well worth trying.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":43880369848496,"sku":"w25cc","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932438524080,"sku":"w25cb","price":5400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932438556848,"sku":"w25cv","price":18700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/products\/IMG_8415.jpg?v=1737905528"},{"product_id":"w30","title":"High Mountain White Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry white tea leaves in a stainless steel bowl\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8731\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8418.jpg?v=1641395076\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain White Tea is a white tea made from one bud and two leaves plucked at an altitude of 2100m to 2300m. It has a soft taste and a refreshing flavor that reminds one of grass, perilla, honey, and peaches.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Since the tea garden is far from the village, the amount sourced is limited, making it a rare tea.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Large dry white tea leaves in a white cup\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8745\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/w30_03.jpg?v=1713923309\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Tea Garden Untouched by Humans for Decades\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain White Tea is made from tea harvested from Bai Yan Shan in Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, at an altitude of 2100m to 2300m, and nearby mountains. The tea trees are estimated to be 100 to 150 years old. The tea garden has been left unattended for decades, and the tea trees have become semi-wild. In China, such tea gardens are called \"wild tea gardens.\"\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Forested mountain ridges fading into haze\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8746\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/w30_02-1.jpg?v=1713923310\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Honey Fragrance Formed by Leafhoppers\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In addition to the high altitude, the characteristic of High Mountain White Tea is that it comes from tea gardens with plenty of sunshine. Tea from sunlit gardens has a very floral flavor. Moreover, sunlit tea gardens are prone to leafhoppers, resulting in many tea leaves that have been attacked by them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When bitten by leafhoppers, the tea tries to resist by biosynthesizing a substance called terpenoid, which is equivalent to antibodies in humans.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When this substance is changed through fermentation and aging, it forms a honey fragrance similar to that found in Oriental Beauty. Even in its fresh state, High Mountain White Tea has a faint honey fragrance. Generally, the honey fragrance becomes more pronounced as fermentation and aging progress. It is expected that High Mountain White Tea will develop a clearer honey fragrance (muscatel flavor) after being aged in an anaerobic environment for several years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/en-en\/blogs\/blog\/posts-895\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    High-Altitude Tea is High-Quality Tea\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    When sourcing tea, we invariably prefer tea gardens at high altitudes. As you can imagine, the climate in high-altitude areas allows for strong sunlight and high temperatures during the day, while nights cool down rapidly. This results in vigorous photosynthesis during the day and minimal consumption activities at night, making the tea rich in components and giving it a more dense flavor and aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Not just tea, but vegetables, wild plants, and fruits from high-altitude regions have an absolute advantage in quality.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Dry white tea leaves in a white cup on a patterned surface\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8737\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8435.jpg?v=1713923121\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"A cup of pale tea beside a cup of brewed leaves\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8736\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_8445.jpg?v=1713923123\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    High Mountain White Tea has a refreshing flavor reminiscent of perilla and herbs, with a hint of peach, and a sweet muscatel aftertaste. It features a smooth mouthfeel and a transparent flavor. In addition to brewing with hot water, we also recommend brewing with cold water. It might also be interesting to let some of the tea age for a long time without opening the package to bring out the muscatel flavor.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":43880369815728,"sku":"w30cc","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":44932438458544,"sku":"w30cb","price":6200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":44932438491312,"sku":"w30cv","price":20700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_4110-2.jpg?v=1787720261"},{"product_id":"w37","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Cake 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n    Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea is one of our staple products. Every year, we specially order the raw materials and finish them using our unique processing methods.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Wild tea is extremely rare, and there is fierce competition among traders to obtain the raw leaves. Money alone cannot solve the problem — relationships with villagers are crucial. We work with a farming couple dedicated to production, who stay in the village throughout the season to collect the raw materials.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    In the village at the foot of the mountain, people enter the mountains early in the morning to harvest wild tea leaves and return by evening. Arriving at the village in the evening makes it nearly impossible to obtain raw leaves, as other traders would have already taken them. According to the couple, they arrive at the site early in the morning and wait for the raw leaves to come in while sharing meals with the villagers' families.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Flavor Reminiscent of Fresh and Sweet Tomatoes\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Our Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea comes in both loose-leaf and cake tea forms. The loose-leaf version features a floral flavor reminiscent of Shine Muscat grapes, flowers, and wild vegetables. It was procured last spring and is already available for sale.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The recently arrived cake tea, on the other hand, has a fruity flavor reminiscent of white tomatoes and dried grapes, owing to the slight fermentation that occurs during cake tea production. This tea is well suited to long-term aging, developing a honey-like flavor over time.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Back of a round tea cake with a dimple in the center\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-9377\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0367.jpg\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    As wild tea, it grows entirely untouched by human hands, resulting in very high cell density and a rich mineral content. This gives the tea a very deep aftertaste, with a long-lasting, full-bodied flavor and aroma.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n    Aromatic White Tea Made from Wild Camellia taliensis\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea is made from wild Camellia taliensis that grows naturally on Da Xue Shan in Lincang, Yunnan Province, China. It is extremely rare and almost never seen even within Yunnan Province.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The tea has an exceptionally strong flavor, evoking flowers, fruits, wild vegetables, and young tree bark, with a sweetness so intense it could be mistaken for a flavored tea. It features a deep body and a spreading, full richness.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n    The aftertaste is very deep, providing a relaxing feeling even when drunk normally, with some people experiencing tea-induced euphoria.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Freshly plucked tea leaves held in an open palm\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C9272916-B3B0-463D-962C-E2FEAAF8B386.png?v=1615889506\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Plucked tea leaves filling a metal bowl\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/968885F5-8DAF-4628-850D-BF5689F1DCA4.png?v=1615889561\" width=\"630\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves withering on a woven bamboo tray\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/EF72562C-E8AD-41BC-B688-A3C7B11538D3.png?v=1615889617\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003e\n    Withering Process\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves withering on stacked round bamboo trays\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/AD50E0B9-E6EC-4A71-96E7-64245AD0C2D4.png?v=1615889692\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves withering on bamboo trays stacked on a rack\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B199B5F0-1817-443F-9B1B-098C243C6321.png?v=1615889839\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Tea leaves withering on stacked bamboo trays seen from the side\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/C386C38B-31A8-4596-93EE-EC016F42A1E9.png?v=1615889854\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Rows of bamboo trays of withering leaves on metal racks\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/B7171CE4-87F2-4F46-9246-BD3FAE69DC2A.png?v=1615889883\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg alt=\"Withering dark green tea leaves on stacked bamboo trays\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/52575878-8119-4D3E-BD06-FDA9EEEA6A48.png?v=1615889901\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (small bag\/small portion of cake)","offer_id":44932435181744,"sku":"w37ca","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (cake)","offer_id":44932435214512,"sku":"w37cc","price":13500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1,000g value pack (5 pieces of cake)","offer_id":44932435247280,"sku":"w37cv","price":54000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_0370.jpg?v=1737905482"},{"product_id":"w44","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Loose 2025","description":"\u003cimg alt=\"Dark green and pale dried wild white tea leaves in a small pile\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10284\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9134.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\nCrafted from truly wild Camellia taliensis trees growing naturally in the high-altitude forests of Yunnan, this tea offers a purity and character unique to its origin.\nThis year’s unusually dry climate during the withering season was ideal, resulting in a floral and clean tea. We look forward to sharing how this year’s tea has turned out.\n\u003ch2\u003eTruly Wild Tea from a Rare Species\u003c\/h2\u003e\nDa Xue Shan Wild White Tea stands out for two main reasons.\nFirst, it’s made from truly wild tea trees that grow naturally in the mountains, completely untouched by human cultivation.\nSecond, it comes from a rare tea species called Camellia taliensis, which is different from Camellia sinensis used in most teas.\nBy “wild,” we don’t mean old tea trees or abandoned tea garden. These are trees that have grown freely in the mountain forests for generations, just like wild plants.\nWhat makes wild tea special can be felt most clearly in the finish. After drinking, the aftertaste is incredibly deep and long-lasting, lingering in the throat with a rich and heavy presence.\n\u003ch2\u003eCamellia taliensis: Tradition and Distinctive Flavour\u003c\/h2\u003e\nCamellia taliensis is a close relative of Camellia sinensis, which is commonly used to produce traditional teas across China. However, in certain mountainous villages of Yunnan, ethnic minority communities have long used Camellia taliensis instead, harvesting the leaves from wild trees, pan-frying them at home, and drinking the tea as part of their daily life. This long-standing local tradition highlights a distinct cultural lineage separate from mainstream tea production.\nThis wild white tea has a distinctive flavour profile that sets it apart. It carries a unique fruity note, often reminiscent of Shine Muscat grapes and fresh young tomatoes. Smooth, refreshing, and layered with depth, it’s no surprise that this tea remains one of the most popular in our collection.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Close-up of fresh green tea leaves held in a palm\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10285\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7490-2.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Challenges of Processing Camellia taliensis into White Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\nCamellia taliensis is characterized by its much thicker stems, which make it especially challenging to process into high-quality white tea.\nTechnically, you can make white tea by simply withering and drying the leaves. But if the process isn’t handled properly, moisture often remains trapped in the thick stems. This can lead to over-fermentation, resulting in browning and a musty, off smell. In fact, many wild white teas in the market with a dark, leathery appearance similar to wood ear mushrooms are usually the result of poor processing.\nTo avoid this, we travelled to Yunnan before the harvest season began and oversaw every step of the production ourselves. This included selecting the raw leaves, spreading the leaves properly, ensuring good air circulation, and checking the final moisture content. Our goal was to produce a tea that looks fresh and vibrant, like it was just plucked from the mountain, with a clean green appearance and a pure, uplifting flavor.\n\u003cimg alt=\"Fresh green tea leaves spread on woven bamboo trays\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10287\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7470.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Green tea leaves spread out on a white cloth\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10286\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_7489.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFloral and Shine Muscat-like Flavor\u003c\/h2\u003e\nBecause rainfall and humidity vary each year, the flavor profile of white tea can change noticeably, even when using the exact same processing method.\nThis year, from late March to mid-April, which is the peak white tea season, the weather in Yunnan was unusually dry. It hardly rained at all, and the air was so dry that even without spin drying, my laundry dried completely within two to three hours at the place I stayed.\nThanks to these ideal conditions, the withering process went exceptionally well. As a result, this year’s Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea has a clean taste with soft floral notes and a hint of Shine Muscat grapes.\n\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Development Over Time\u003c\/h2\u003e\nAt this early stage, the flavor is still quite mild, as it is freshly produced. However, when stored in an oxygen-free environment, its character changes gradually. From our past experience, the sweet notes become more noticeable after a few months. After about three years, a fruity note similar to grapes starts to appear. With longer aging, this flavor continues to develop and becomes more like raisins.\nOne of the unique pleasures of white tea is being able to enjoy it at different stages. You can appreciate the refreshing floral sweetness when new, and also enjoy the richer character that appears over time. We hope you will experience both the freshly made and the aged versions to see how this wild mountain tea evolves.\n\u003cimg alt=\"A small white cup filled with pale yellow brewed tea\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10283\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9154.jpg\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIncredible Impact: Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Sparkling\u003c\/h2\u003e\nDa Xue Shan Wild White Tea tastes amazing whether brewed hot or enjoyed as a cold infusion. Because white tea is processed with minimal heat, its natural enzymes are still active.\nWhen you brew it with hot water, these enzymes are activated during infusion, triggering a light fermentation that brings out a subtle fruity flavor—almost like a lightly fermented black tea. On the other hand, cold infusion keeps the enzymes inactive, allowing the tea’s floral notes and Shine Muscat-like sweetness to come through more clearly.\nIf you take it a step further by carbonating the cold-brewed tea using a device like Drinkmate, it turns into a surprisingly refreshing drink. Commercial sparkling water often has a flat or odd taste, and blending it with cold-brewed tea does not deliver the same result. Freshly carbonated white tea is vibrant, aromatic, and naturally sweet.\nWe highly recommend trying it out with a carbonation machine to create your own sparkling white tea and experience the difference.","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":45567892881584,"sku":"w44ca","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g (50g x 2 bags)","offer_id":45567892914352,"sku":"w44cc","price":6900.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":45567892947120,"sku":"w44cb","price":13500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":45567892979888,"sku":"w44cv","price":34200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9134_68fba66b-a736-45ab-bb77-d6a2167f16a4.jpg?v=1788882260"},{"product_id":"b71","title":"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: .9em; margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 30px 10px 12.5px 10px;\"\u003eWhat Is Qing Xiang Black Tea? Every year we stay in Yunnan Province, where we manage selecting fresh tea leaves, production, packing and export and we also work on developing new teas. In 2024 we developed a new style of black tea using processing techniques which is not found in conventional black tea, and we are now releasing the first tea of this style. We are not producers who own tea gardens. We borrow local producers' equipment and raw leaves, and we design and carry out the processing ourselves. This black tea was processed at low temperatures to keep avoid heat damage to the leaves, this tea is a black tea of its own that does not fit into any existing category. We had been calling it \"New Style Black Tea,\" but from now on we will call it \"Qing Xiang Black Tea.\" The Qing Xiang means refreshing flavor in Chinese We plan to release several teas one after another as the Qing Xiang Black Tea series.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9953.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eQing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from High Mountain Purple Tea from Yunnan Province, China. It uses the same High Mountain Purple Tea as our High Mountain Purple Black Tea, but a different processing method produces a completely different flavor and taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_3077.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis purple tea grows at around 2,000 m in Lincang City. Depending on how it is processed, its flavor can resemble perilla leaves, peach, or menthol.\u003cbr\u003eOur Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea has a strong floral top note that recalls Phoenix Oolong, along with a cool, fresh note of perilla or menthol. It is so different from conventional black tea that you probably would not know it was black tea unless someone told you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh leaves of purple tea \u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2589.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eThe Philosophy Behind Qing Xiang Black Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor of black tea is formed mainly by two enzymatic reactions. One is the breakdown of terpene glycosides during withering and rolling, in which beta-glucosidase releases floral flavor compounds such as linalool and geraniol. The other is fermentation by polyphenol oxidase after rolling, which gives black tea its characteristic qualities. Of the two, the former is the main reaction that produces flavor compounds reminiscent of flowers and fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Qing Xiang Black Tea series, we put the emphasis on withering to allow sufficient breakdown of terpene glycosides, while deliberately limiting fermentation. By limiting fermentation, we aim to preserve as much as possible of the fresh, floral flavor that develops during black tea processing. For this reason, the leaves remain greenish, and after brewing, their color resembles that of Phoenix Oolong leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9966.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9959.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eKeeping the distinctive aroma that appears during black tea processing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have ever watched black tea being made, you may know that the leaves give off a vibrant aroma reminiscent of flowers or menthol right after rolling. As processing continues and the leaves are heated at high temperatures, however, that aroma gradually changes into the familiar aroma we associate with black tea. In developing Qing Xiang Black Tea, we aimed to preserve as much of that flavor as possible in the finished tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack tea is generally heated at high temperatures to stop enzymatic fermentation. However, high heat also destroys the fresh floral flavor. If heating is insufficient, some enzymes remain active, allowing fermentation to go too far and produce an unpleasant, stuffy smell. To solve this dilemma, we developed a method that reliably stops fermentation while keeping heating to a minimum. As a result, we made a tea with character somewhere between white tea and black tea that does not fit into any existing category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_2347.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9942.jpg\" alt=\"Qing Xiang Black Tea Purple Tea 2024\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"letter-spacing: 2px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e9eb; padding-bottom: 12px;\"\u003eThe Qing Xiang Black Tea Series Is Also Ideal for Cold Brewing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite tea is our top recommendation for cold brewing. Unlike green tea, white tea does not undergo the enzyme-deactivating process. As a result, various enzymes remain in the leaves without being deactivated. When brewed with hot water, these enzymes become active and gradually change the flavor over multiple infusions. In contrast, when brewed with cold water, the enzymes remain largely inactive because of the low temperature. As a result, the original flavor compounds in the tea leaves can be extracted without enzymatic intervention. This allows you to enjoy flavors reminiscent of flowers, citrus fruits, and perilla leaves.\u003cbr\u003eThe Qing Xiang Black Tea series combines elements of both white tea and black tea, so it is also excellent for cold brewing. When cold brewed, it develops a vibrant flavor reminiscent of natural wine rather than black tea and tastes like an entirely different tea.\u003cbr\u003eBlack tea is generally difficult to pair with food, but this tea does not have the typical black tea character. It complements Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, making it an excellent tea to enjoy with meals.\u003cbr\u003eIf you carbonate it with a soda maker, its flavor becomes so reminiscent of natural sparkling wine that you may forget you are drinking tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"30g (small bag)","offer_id":45567928139952,"sku":"b71ca","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"50g (in can)","offer_id":45567928172720,"sku":"b71cc","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"150g (large bag\/50g x 3 bags)","offer_id":45567928205488,"sku":"b71cb","price":6200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (large bag [50g x 3 bags] x 4 bags)","offer_id":45567928238256,"sku":"b71cv","price":20700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/IMG_9953.jpg?v=1787816913"},{"product_id":"w49","title":"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea Loose 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-img_4326.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to this year’s climate, the tea has a strong flavor and the long aftertaste that only wild tea harvested in the mountains can offer. We are very pleased with how it has turned out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor stands out most when the tea is cold-brewed, and carbonating the cold brew gives a drink with a champagne-like color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis loose-leaf version is not pressed into a cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Flavor of White Tea Changes Every Year\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flavor of tea depends not only on the soil and the elevation but also on the year. Both the taste and the flavor can change greatly from one year to the next. In some years the floral flavor is strong, in others the fruity flavor, and in others a green character stands out. The climate of the year shapes the finished tea as much as the processing technique and the quality of the raw leaves, and sometimes even more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom our experience, the temperature and rainfall between Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) and March have a major influence on the flavor of that year’s tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2026, it hardly rained from Chinese New Year until the start of the tea season. Heavy rain fell on only two days in late March, the 28th and 29th, and the wild tea began to grow after that rain. With so little rain, the leaves took their time to grow. This year’s tea has a strong flavor and a long aftertaste, probably because the slow growth gave the leaves a higher cell density.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCold Brew and Sparkling: The Best Ways to Enjoy Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCold-brewed Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea has a very intense marigold and Shine Muscat-like flavor. It is so refreshing and satisfying that I would almost call it \u0026#8220;tea juice.\u0026#8221;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-img_4351.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you carbonate the cold brew with a sparkling water maker, it takes on a color like champagne, and the floral and fruity flavors are the first thing you notice when you drink it. It is a good drink to serve at dinner in place of alcohol, and it is especially appreciated when served at restaurants. Once you try it, it is hard to stop drinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor cold brewing, put 5 g of tea leaves in 1,000 ml of water and leave the container in the refrigerator for about 6 hours. If you would like to surprise your guests, make it stronger with 500 ml of water for 5 g of tea leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Cold Water and Hot Water Bring Out Different Flavors\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrewed with hot water, the tea shows a different character. Instead of the marigold-like flavor of the cold brew, matured fruity flavors reminiscent of grapes, apple and of fresh tomatoes come forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason lies in how the tea is made. Some white tea in Fujian Province is partly dried with heat, while this tea is made by farmers in Yunnan Province who wither the leaves for several days and then let them dry naturally. So, there is no heat involved in the process of making this tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-r0000216.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-r0000102.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-r0000101.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the leaves are never heated, their components stay very close to those of fresh tea leaves, and many of them are water-soluble. This makes the tea very well suited to cold brewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe enzymes in the leaves are also still active in white tea. When you brew the tea with hot water, they become active as the temperature rises, and fermentation by oxidase takes place. You might expect boiling water to deactivate the enzymes immediately, but the center of the stems takes time to heat up, and some of the enzymes become intensely active while the temperature passes through 40 to 50°C. This is why the flavor changes with the brewing temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith cold water, the temperature is too low for the enzymes to become active, so the components of the white tea dissolve into the water as they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Commitment to Truly Wild Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-img_5003.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Yunnan Province, \u0026#8220;wild tea\u0026#8221; is the local name for Camellia taliensis, a species different from the common tea plant Camellia sinensis grown in Japan, India and Taiwan. The name Wild Tea is commonly used by the locals whether the tree grows naturally in the mountains or is cultivated. It is similar to wild rice and wild strawberries, which keep the name \u0026#8220;wild\u0026#8221; even when they are grown in fields or gardens. The name alone does not tell you whether the tea comes from trees growing naturally in the mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDa Xue Shan Wild White Tea is made from Camellia taliensis growing naturally in the mountains, not from cultivated trees. Tea from cultivated trees can have a similar flavor, but tea from wild trees is completely different in the length of the aftertaste and the clarity of the flavor, and the two are easy to tell apart if you taste side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-img_4958.jpg\" alt=\"Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea 2026\" width=\"630\" height=\"420\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, as wild tea has become popular, to meet the market demands, many farmers have started planting Camellia taliensis in their tea garden. A large amount of tea sold as \u0026#8220;wild tea\u0026#8221; is now on the market, and it is becoming easy to obtain without traveling to the remote village. However, Camellia taliensis that truly grows wild in the mountains is extremely rare and very difficult to obtain, and its tea is traded at high prices even in Yunnan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have visited wild tea producing areas and tasted wild tea many times. Its remarkably deep and long aftertaste, which seems to soak into the body, is found only in truly wild tea, and this is why I am particular about sourcing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Development Through Aging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the flavor is already strong in the new tea, you can enjoy it right away. Aging is simply another option. With aging, Da Xue Shan Wild White Tea tends to develop grape-like and honey-like flavors, and you can even notice the change after just one year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePu-erh is the tea most people think of for aging, but white tea actually changes even more with age, and aging white tea has become something of a trend in recent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost tea companies and tea lovers, however, age white tea with air. Oxygen causes uncontrolled oxidation, so an oxidized off-flavor develops along with the aging. Eventually the tea takes on a flavor close to Ripe Pu-erh, with notes of dry leaves and dried fruit such as raisins, and its color also becomes very similar to that of Ripe Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on many years of experience and various experiments, we consider aging without oxygen ideal for white tea, because the tea still ages without oxygen but develops toward the flavor of fully ripe fruits such as grapes and mangoes, and toward a honey-like flavor. We remove the oxygen from each bag when we pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo age the tea at home, keep the bag unopened in a warm room, away from direct sunlight. The aluminum laminated bag blocks most light, but not all of it, so the tea deteriorates easily if left in direct sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HOJO Tea","offers":[{"title":"50g (in a bag)","offer_id":45717849866416,"sku":"w49cc","price":3600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"200g (50g x 4 bags)","offer_id":45717849899184,"sku":"w49cb","price":13500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"600g value pack (50g x 12 bags)","offer_id":45717849931952,"sku":"w49cv","price":34200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/0774\/6224\/files\/dxs-white-2026-img_4326.jpg?v=1792512206"}],"url":"https:\/\/hojotea.com\/en-en\/collections\/teas-for-sparkling-tea.oembed","provider":"お茶の専門店HOJO \/ HOJO CO., LTD.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}