──Ma No Thé──
Deep in the mountains of Gifu, Higashi Shirakawa, and the misty Kurokawa region, the carefully selected tea leaves are
Embracing the tranquility of nature and the sincerity of the craftsman, a single cup reflects the depth of time.
The cool air where day and night meet, the mist that softens the sun, the environment that softens the bitterness and develops the flavor,
It's like a stage prepared for tea leaves.
We sit in the space and savor the moment . We pick each bud one by one for that moment.
──The world of Japanese aesthetics in tea──
Wearing geta sandals, you can feel the beauty of serenity and manners with every step you take.
Eventually, you will arrive at the "ma-no-za" (a space between the seats), where a cup of tea will be brewed.
A moment to savor the time, feel the space, and face yourself.
Higashi Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture - a mountainous area with mountains ranging from 260m to over 1,100m above sea level. The Kurokawa region, enveloped in tranquility, is a special area where the finest tea leaves are grown, even among the "Mino Shirakawa Tea" which is distributed in very limited quantities nationwide.
In this region, where fog is particularly prevalent, the strong sunlight is naturally softened and photosynthesis is moderately suppressed, naturally controlling the production of catechins, which are the source of bitterness. As a result, theanine, a flavor component, accumulates in abundance, creating a mellow, elegant flavor with a delicate balance of sweetness, umami, and a hint of bitterness.
Ichibancha is the first tea leaves picked that year from tea trees that have survived the winter. The new leaves contain a lot of umami ingredients, are highly nutritious, and are characterized by their excellent aroma and flavor. At "Amanoza 00", we carefully select only the highest quality of Ichibancha tea, and put it through a careful process from tea processing to roasting and finishing.
The resulting tea leaves are soft to the touch, and when you put them in your mouth, a pure fragrance spreads softly. The aftertaste is quiet and long, as if the silence of the mountains itself is reflected in the water.
It is an experience that sharpens the five senses with each infusion and allows you to find the "space" to face yourself. It is a time to regain the contours of yourself that are often overlooked in the hustle and bustle. It is as if you are pouring into your heart the memories of the earth that reside in the tea leaves and the tranquility that nature provides.
In particular, for the "00" first-flush green tea, we use special screw cans that are excellent at preserving freshness in order to seal in the vivid aroma and flavor of the freshly picked tea.
A soft, clear fragrance spreads like morning mist rising among the mountains. The careful picking of each bud and leaf, combined with a sealing technique that seems to stop time, brings out the beauty of the "space" that resides in each cup to the fullest.
The story of that moment begins with this number "00".
