Minor Heat

July 7th is "Shōsho" (Minor Heat).

As the rainy season draws to a close and the patter of rain fades, the summer heat quietly begins to rise in the air.

The "Shōsho" blend features Awa Bancha from Tokushima Prefecture, one of the rare "post-fermented teas" that remain in only a few places across Japan, combined with bamboo grass and fig leaves from Niigata Prefecture.
Within its calm, woody aroma, the soft sweetness and roasted notes of fig leaves and bamboo grass gently intermingle. The clear, refreshing sensation unique to Awa Bancha is accompanied by a subtle astringency and sweetness, resulting in a profound, mature flavor.
The hint of green, imbued with the essence of summer, gently tightens the overall profile, and a quiet lingering aftertaste spreads with each sip.

As the sunlight intensifies, iced tea becomes even more delightful. Any tea, be it green tea, hojicha, bancha, or black tea, reveals its cool distinctiveness when served cold.
Since the Edo period, it has been said that "bancha brewed during the summer heat is gentle on the stomach." Hojicha and bancha, with their clean taste, have been popular with people of all ages, much like barley tea. A cup enjoyed in the heat provides a small refreshment that hydrates the body.

If you listen to the sound of tea being poured, the signs of the season suddenly emerge.
The cicadas' calls are particularly loud during the day, transitioning to the sound of "higurashi" cicadas at dusk, and then the cool melody of crickets quietly resonates at night. Sometimes, the faint sounds of festival music from a distant summer festival might be carried on the wind.
If you close your eyes and focus on a cup of tea, even the hustle and bustle recedes. Only the aroma of the tea quietly unwinds time.

Another intense summer is expected this year.
Please, enjoy your summer moments leisurely with delicious iced tea.