Yamecha is tea produced in Fukuoka prefecture. It is also called “Yamecha in Fukuoka”. Its characteristic tastes are less astringent nor bitter, but are sweet, umami and bodied.
Yame area where Yamecha is produced has a proper amount of precipitation and a big difference in temperature between day and night. The tasty tea in Yame is owe to the environments suitable for tea cultivation and the blessings of nature in this area.
600 years in history of Yamecha
Yamecha was originated in 1423, about 600 years ago.
Eirin Shuzui, a monk who had trained in Ming (China today),
built Reiganji temple in Kakoo village, Chikugo province (Kurogi-machi, Yame city today). It is said to be the beginning of Yamecha that he handed down tea seeds and techniques of tea manufactures brought back from Ming to a local officer, Matsuo Tarogorohisaie.
2023 was the 600th anniversary of Yamecha and it got more attention.
Quality over quantity in Yamecha
The first plucking starts in the middle of April and the second in between the middle of June and the beginning of July in Yame. Even though it is possible to start the third plucking in the end of July or the beginning of August, but the third plucking is mostly not carried out intentionally in Fukuoka. This gives tea trees enough rest and that makes the quality of Ichibancha better in the following year. We can say that Yamecha has rarity value with taking quality over quantity.
Yame-Gyokuro is popular as a luxury brand
Fukuoka prefecture is one of the major producing areas of Sencha but it comes the first as a Gyokuro producing area in Japan. Gyokuro produced in mainly in Yame city, Hoshino village, and Kurogi town is called Yame-Gyokuro and it is regarded as one of the luxury tea brands. It has won the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fishers Award as well as the producing area award at a national tea competitive show for 20 years in a row.
In addition to that, “traditional authentic Yame-Gyokuro (Yame dento hongyokuro)” renowned as the best Yamecha is the first tea that is allowed to use the “protected geographical indication” in Japan.
It is actively promoted worldwide to be recognized as a global brand and has got praise from famous chefs in the world.
Main brands and cultivars in Yamecha
“Hoshinocha” produced in Hoshino village, Yame city in Fukuoka, has milder taste and less astringent nor bitter than Yamecha in other areas. Gyokuro in Hoshinocha has deep green color and melty sweetness. It is regarded as rare and high-quality tea due to the small quantity of production.
“Kabusecha” and “Fukamushicha” are also popular that have both the rich taste of Gyokuro and the brisk taste of Sencha.
Main cultivars in Yamecha
Yabukita Kanayamidori Okumidori Saemidori
Samidori Okuyutaka Goko Asatsuyu