Cha Qi & Tea Drunk
Qi in the Chinese language represents the lifeforce energy or the breath of life. Cha Qi is an elusive term with a slightly intangible definition. The literal translation is “tea energy”.
Hon Yama: Shincha from Japan’s ‘Shizuoka Alps’
The Hon Yama tea growing region is located along the streams and valleys of the Abe and Warashina Rivers at the base of Shizuoka’s Southern Alps. It is a renowned terroir for sencha aficionados with natural micro-climates that are exclusive to the remote inner reaches of the Shizuoka Prefecture.
Japanese Green Tea
Japan is renowned for green teas with a natural and vivid green color, fresh bitter sweetness, and famed umami flavor. This unique character is typically imparted when the tea is steam fired.
A Focused Look: Cultivars & Terroir in Taiwan
Rishi’s tea partners in Taiwan are amazing tea masters in Mingjian Village. The matriarch is Mrs. Yang Yin-Tsao and is a significant supplier for Rishi tea. Yang Yin-Tsao has devoted her life to tea but is also a true naturalist in her farming of tea, fruits, herbs, orchids, varieties of turmeric and ginger—you name it, she grows it.
Makers Spotlight: Tsuji San
Our friend and fellow Rishi, Ryo Iwamoto, a Urasenke Tea Master and Ambassador of Japanese Tea based in Tokyo and Shizuoka, had the opportunity to sit down with a 5th generation tea master, Tsuji San, including the distinction of producing tea for the Emperor and the Imperial Family of Japan for his unrivaled tencha tea farming practices and matcha productions.
Laos Forest Tea
Together Dr. Thiphavong Boupha and Rishi Tea are working to bring exquisite and rare Laos forest teas to market.
What is Garden Direct?
Garden Direct is a carefully curated selection of single-origin teas sourced from the most esteemed growers. They are packaged fresh at origin and air freighted to us immediately so we can celebrate and share our most cherished teas with you during the prime producing seasons.
Origin Spotlight: Mingjian Village, Nantou, Taiwan
Around the world, Taiwan is well-known as a country that produces highly specialized teas. The Mingjian Village is situated in the central highlands of Nantou, Taiwan and the gardens here are incredible.
Makers Spotlight: Yamaguchi San
Yamaguchi San’s farm was founded by his family in 1946 in Hoshino Village. Across Hoshino Village, there are around 120 different tea gardens, with the average age falling around 30 years.
Guayusa & Yerba Mate
Plants from the holly genus, Ilex, including guayusa, yerba mate and yaupon contain not only caffeine, but caffeine-related compounds like theobromine.
Phoenix Mountain Dancong – The Art of Tea Making
2020 is unquestionably the year of altered travel plans, rescheduling and cancellations. At Rishi Tea & Botanicals, we are fortunate to have amazing relationships with our tea farmers, which ensures we are able to access the same high quality and exceptional teas even during this chaotic time.
Gyokuro: a Flight and Look Into Terroir
Gyokuro, “jade dew”, is a rare shade-grown green tea from Japan. Shaded in a similar style to matcha, Gyokuro has a deep emerald color, rich taste, and high caffeine
Tokoname Clay
Tokoname was the location of one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan and is also famed for Buddhist and Shinto shrine statue artisans. Tokoname is often considered to be the sister city of Yixing.
Mingqian Harvest Teas
With the change in season, we see the first crops of teas being introduced into the market. One can imagine the anticipation to the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, or other sought-after wines, and correlate the same excitement for celebrated seasons within the annual calendar of the global tea harvests.
The Wild Maqui and Murta Harvest in Chilean Patagonia
We source two main components of many blends from the Chilean Patagonia territory: Murta and Maqui Berries. We work with collectors, who in turn work with regional landowners to pinpoint where these fruits are growing.
