| Sencha – Japan’s most popular tea |
| A Legacy of Love and Craftsmanship The Morimoto family, headed by Haruyo and Shigeru Morimoto, are tea farmers and true artisans. Their journey began in the 1970s with a single small tea garden and a shared vision: to cultivate the finest teas using natural methods. Over the decades, their passion and dedication have transformed their dream into a thriving success, now encompassing twelve small tea garden plots and self-built production facilities. Their daughters and grandchildren often join in during the harvest, along with friends from neighboring tea gardens. We at Tchai-Ovna feel blessed and humbled to work alongside this community of tea growers. The History of Sencha While tea has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries, Sencha leaf tea only began to be cultivated in the 16th century. The tea seeds were initially brought to Japan as gifts from Chinese Buddhist monks as early as the 8th century AD. During that time, tea was a privilege reserved for religious classes, who would crush the leaves into a powder. China eventually transitioned from powdered tea into drinking whole leaf tea as an infusion. This method soon spread across East Asia. Whole leaf teas like our Sencha Okumidori gained popularity due to their ease of preparation, making them accessible to the broader population. |
Sencha in Modern Japan
Today, Japan still honors its tea heritage with Matcha, as it is still used in traditional tea ceremonies and now in modern delights such as Matcha lattes. However, it is Sencha that has become the predominant tea, accounting for over 80% of Japan’s tea production.
Morimoto Sencha is a testament to Japan’s rich history. It encapsulates the care and craftsmanship of centuries of tradition, offering you tranquility and reflection in each cup.
E-Sencha-ly
Despite its simple preparation, the complexity and depth of our Sencha is unmistakable. You can taste the dedication and history that Haruyo and Shigeru Morimoto have poured into this tea.
As ever,
Warmest regards,
The People of Tchai-Ovna