Shincha Tasting Class at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, July 18th

Photos from last Saturday's tasting class at Rainier Valley Cultural Center in Seattle. Thank you to Northwest Tea Festival for hosting this World of Tea event, and for allowing me to share Charaku Fine Japanese Tea with the local tea community! I usually don't take many photos since I'm presenting, but one of the guests, Heather Porter, posted a great summary on her blog,HanamichiFlowerPath.com. Check it out!

Sifting the matcha in preparation for the day's class.

Pottery on display to discuss Japanese tea wares: Kyusu & Dobin, Yuzamashi & Houjiki, Yunomi & Chawan.

Teas loaded and ready for tasting! Cherry bark tea canisters from Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture. They were my father's.

They've settled a bit since pouring, but a few of the teas we tasted (10 total) were (l-r): Gyokuro, Karigane, Genmaicha, Houjicha. The full line-up was: Asamushi Sencha from Usuki, Oita; Chuumushi Sencha from Hayato, Kagoshima; Fukamushi Secha from Kawan, Shizuoka; Tamaryokacha from Gokase, Miyazaki; Gyokuro from Yame, Fukuoka; Karigane from Asahina, Shizuoka; Genmaicha from Kawane, Shizuoka; Houjicha from Kagoshima, Matcha from Nishio, Aichi (served with Tokara wagashi;) and cold-infused (rei-cha) Kukicha from Kagoshima. A full morning of Japanese tea!

"Asagao" (Morning Glory) wagashi from Tokara. Sweet plate, also with Morning Glory motif, by Sayo Horimizu of Mashiko. Tea Bowl in background is vintage Soma-yaki from Fukushima.

Biwa (Loquat) Mochi from Tokara. Tea Bowl in background is Shino-glazed Summer Tea Bowl by Sachiko Furuya (Honolulu, HI.) Sweet plate is from Soeya kiln in Mashiko.

Matcha Chawan (Tea Bowls) ready to serve.

Rainier Valley Cultural Center, a great place for events!

2015 SHINCHA!

Shincha (New Harvest Tea) is in! Omataseshimashita (Thank you for waiting.) We've had the 2015 new harvest teas in since last month, but have been making some upgrades to the Charaku website which have delayed this announcement. Many have ordered by e-mail or phone already, but all of our 2015 teas are available at www.charaku-tea.com now.

We've also got a limited amount of 2014 stock available at 20% off. Inventory includes a few packs each of Oita & Yakushima Organic Sencha; Uji, Hayato, & Tanegashima Sencha; Asahina Karigane, and Kagoshima Kukicha. As our teas are all nitrogen-flushed to preserve freshness, these teas are still flavorful well into 2016. If you'd like to purchase some, please contact me by e-mail, info@charaku-tea.com.