summer solstice

June 21st marks the Summer Solstice.

It is the time of year when the days are longest, and the earth and sky are filled with positive energy.
The light reaches its peak, and then quietly begins its journey towards the next cycle. The rice paddies, having completed their planting, are blessed with rain, plants breathe with fresh vitality, and a subtle warmth permeates the wind, deepening the signs of summer.

Around this time in Japan, it's the season for "ume-shigoto" (plum work).

The ripe plums and humid air are ideal for preserving food, and people have traditionally prepared umeboshi (pickled plums) and umeshu (plum wine), praying for a bountiful harvest and preparing for the coming heat. From ancient times, the benefits of plums have been embraced as a way to nurture health and cope with the summer heat.

Although the days will gradually become shorter from now on, the heat and humidity are just beginning to intensify. It is a time to be grateful for the blessings that nurture all things, to harmonize with the cycles of nature, and to spend our days with a balanced mind and body.

This product is a refreshing cup that layers the soft, sweet fragrance of peach with the astringency of sencha green tea, accented with the invigorating freshness of holy basil.
Please enjoy its gentle taste and pleasant lingering finish.