Nanbu-cha (Nanbu-tea)
Introduction
The Yamanashi-prefecture is not the most suitable area for producing tea.
As a matter of fact, outside the Nanbu town in which the Nanbu-cha is produced, the tea production in Yamanashi-prefecture is very scarce. Most of the 47 tons of tea produced in the Yamanashi-prefecture comes from Nanbu-town. Also, while 47 tons may sound like a lot, it is only considered as 0.5% of Japan's tea production in 2018.
This Nanbu town can produce a moderate amount of tea as it is located in a strip of land protruding to the south and into Shizuoka prefecture, and next to Mt. Fuji.
This town located in the Akaishi mountains, better known as the Southern Alps of Japan, has a climate and geography which is very close to that of Shizuoka. The warm temperatures and high levels of rainfall are similar to the characteristics of Shizuoka. Therefore, Nanbu town is known for producing quality tea similar to that of Shizuoka-cha, which is considered one of the 3 great teas of Japan. While Shizuoka-cha has a tendency of steaming the leaves longer in the manufacturing process to make Fukamushi-sencha, the Nanbucha predominantly produces tea of much shallow steaming, such as Sencha or Asamushi-Sencha.
The main breed of tea trees used in this area is Yabukita.
Taste
Similar to Shizuoka-cha, the Nanbu-cha is a Japanese green tea which boasts tea leaves with a rich and fantastically fresh aroma.
As the Nanbu-cha is less steamed, the aroma may be even more evident, while the taste itself may seem a little light.
History
While it is believed that the history of Nanbu-cha is old, there are many unknowns to the history of Nanbu-cha. There are documents that indicate there being a tea plantation during the Kai-no-kuni era, which was established in the 7th century. Tea pots and Chawans, or tea cups, have been excavated as well. The first mention of Nanbu-cha in historical documents date back to the Muromachi-era (1336 - 1573). It is assumed that the cultivation has been happening since then.
Nanbu-cha really became an industry only in the mid 1960s. A tea association was established in the Nanbu area, and what was previously mulberry fields were converted into tea fields.
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