Clearspring Organic Japanese Genmaicha Green Tea - 20 Teabags

In the hills around Kyoto, the third generation of the Nagata family use special organic methods, known as Nature Farming, to produce a range of exquisite green teas for Clearspring.

The ancient farming approach used by the Nagata's builds up soil vitality by maintaining a semi-wild environment, where the plants are not overly protected and gain nourishment from repeated applications of compost made from tea clippings and dried leaves, which together with regular mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.

Whilst most tea farmers spray their plants with pesticides and herbicides 15-20 times a year, the Nagatas' tea bushes have a vigour that enables them to thrive without chemical inputs.

The Nagatas' yields may be lower than average but their plants have far less mould and blight. They remain productive for up to 40 years, twice as long as the typical tea bush treated with chemicals.

As well as growing tea, the Nagatas undertake the skilful blanching, drying and roasting processes to bring out the unique flavours of each individual blend.

What is Genmaicha Tea?

How is it made?

It is also known as popcorn tea because the grains of rice make a popping sound during the roasting process. The leaves are steamed, rolled and combined with roasted brown rice to create a unique yet authentic Genmaicha tea experience. It delivers a delicate balance of flavours combining the subtle notes of the green tea leaves with the delightfully nutty aroma of lightly roasted brown rice. It is worth noting that most common tea varieties come from the same plant - Camellia Sinensis. The difference between each tea variant lies in the way the tea is produced and processed.