Gallery - The Green Gem from the city of Makinohara, SHIZUOKA

Deep in the rich nature of Shizuoka, there spreads the most extensive tea plantation in the whole of Japan, a plateau covering 5,000 hectares. The city of Makinohara is home to one of the finest teas made in Japan, and thanks to City-Cost, I’ve had the pleasure of trying the Shizuoka Sencha Tea, which I’d like to introduce to you in this article. This gem from Shizuoka comes in 15 tea bags processed through the FUKAMUSHI method, which directly translates to “deep-steaming”, a method which allows for a much smoother taste and less bitterness (that can often be tasted in lower-quality teas). This article will be of interest especially for those who consider tea to be an essential part of your life, like it is for me! Where is Makinohara? Situated just about halfway between Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, facing Suruga Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the city of Makinohara is home to the largest tea plantation in Japan, and is also home to a surfing population invited by its beautiful coastline. If you like travelling into the vast nature of Japan like I do, you’ll find this place quite laid back, filled with nature loved and cared for by its citizens. Like many places in Japan, the more you dig, the more culture you’ll find! So, if you have a driver’s licence and can rent a car or own one, I highly recommend taking your weekends to adventure around the city, starting from its coast into the mountains. You can find a camping ground right by Shizunami beach to fully immerse yourself in its nature! So, what’s so special about this tea? Before starting the par-tea, knowing what makes a ‘good tea’ is helpful. It is currently understood that tea grown in warmer regions with a full day of sunlight reaches its full potential. Soil is also a significant factor when growing tea, and Makinohara was very well suited for this as weak acidic soil helps achieve its quality. Assuming these conditions are met, you’ll need to consider the method by which these leaves are harvested and treated. This is where the traditions passed down through generations come in! Each region, with its unique techniques, allows for its distinct flavouring, which many love and appreciate! Makinohara is well known for its FUKAMUSHI method. This method originated in Makinohara and is known for its bitter-less taste, allowing for a smoother drinking experience. So how did it taste? As a person who drinks all kinds of tea throughout the day, from burdock tea to rooibos tea, I found it very easy to drink, with a warm softness to its taste. It may not be for you if you are looking for a kick to your day, but rather if you are looking to catch your breath on a busy day. Something you’d like to drink on a cold morning when planning your laidback day. Each sip of the Sencha Tea from Grinpia, will let you experience and appreciate the love of Makinohara, Shizuoka. Hence, its the perfect tea to offer your guests when they ask for something warm to drink. It may even be a point of conversation as the tea processed in FUKAMUSHI produces much darker green colour, which is easy to pick up for even those who don’t drink it often. Overall? I’d rate it a good 8 out of 10 (assuming there’s no such thing as 10/10)! Best way to enjoy it?Personally, I like to make green tea with boiled water cooled to about 70℃ (158℉). Dip the tea bag between 30-60 seconds. Dip the tea bag 4-5 times and you are set! These tea bags make it easy to enjoy this tea wherever you are. You can also make this using cold water, allowing an even sweeter taste and a higher level of amino acids. It isn’t so common for tea leaves to have the best of both hot and cold worlds, which is what makes green tea so special. This versatile use can come in handy for those who love to switch up their style over the seasons to come. Interested? For those who love experiencing the very best, get a taste of these teas from Makinohara. It will help you kick back, relax, smooth things over, and help your crea-tea-vity in places you need! Or maybe, if you’ve already tried it, I’d love to hear your opinion! Otherwise I wish you have a brew-tea-ful day (^▽^)/ This post is supported by Makinohara City, one of City-Cost's Supporters helping City-Cost bloggers to enjoy life in Japan and engage in new experiences.