Thes du Japon has opened since this August and managed by the French Instructor of Japanese Tea, Florent Weugue. The French tea enthusiast has a great something about tea cultivar. He deals with more than 20 cultivars and more than 50 loose leaf teas by the combination of cultivar and tea type such as Sencha, pan-fired tea, black tea, oolong tea etc. For example, he lines more than 6 teas of ‘Koshun’ cultivar, containing 4 Sencha, 1 pan-fired tea and 1 black tea of ‘Koshun’, according to the webpage of the company.
If you would like to know more about cultivars he lines up, please visit this blogs written in English and French.
When I visited the shop, Florent kindly brewed two teas for tasting, ‘Omune’ and ‘Koshun’ cultivar.
‘Omune’ has not been certificated as tea cultivar yet. This cultivar had been selected from tea bushes of native variety and propagated by a sophisticated tea farmer “Omune Tokichi” in 1910s. Florent explained this cultivar has relatively less umami but just has delicate mellowness and aroma. I thought this cultivar is perfect to daily usual use.
The package of ‘Omune’ cultivar. We can see this tea is produced in Honyama tea estate in Shizuoka prefecture and recommended condition for steeping.
The infusion of Sencha of ‘Omune’ cultivar. The delicate mellowness was very delightful!
‘Koshun’ cultivar had been bred by tea researchers in the Prefectural Tea Research Institute of Shizuoka. Professor Nakamura in the University of Shizuoka is one of the breeders of ‘Koshun’ cultivar. Florent brewed very well. The cup was so aromatic!
He brewed ‘Koshun’ loose leaf tea produced in Asamiya tea estate in Shiga prefecture.
The package of ‘Koshun’ cultivar.
The infusion of Sencha of ‘Koshun’ cultivar. The aroma of infusion let me feel like smelling flowers. In addition, the aroma remaining on the cup after sipping was also attractive. I felt the residual aroma had both freshness and mellowness!
The variety of tea cultivar lined up on the shelf indicates how he devotes to explore excellent tea cultivars and tea estates.
We can see his recommended method to brew and the origin of each tea on the package.
The great selection of sophisticated specialty teas in Thes du Japon could provide us with opportunities to meet own favorite flavor!
< Shop Information >
- Address : 3 Chome 14-6, Yanaka, Taito ward, Tokyo.
- Access : Approx. 10 minutes walk from Nishi Nippori station on JR Yamanote line. Or approx. 5 minutes walk from Sendagi station on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line.
- Hours : 10:00 – 17:00.
- Holiday : Irregular. (Please check in the Facebook page of Thes du Japon)
The appearance of Thes du Japon Yanaka Shop.
I’d like to share the pictures of label on each tea package. If you’re interested in some tea, it is recommended to see its detail on the website of Thes du Japon.
< Sencha >
Sencha of ‘Fujikaori’ cultivar produced in Fujieda tea estate.
Sencha of ‘Harumidori’ cultivar produced in Kawane tea estate.
< Pan-fired green tea >
< Oolong tea >
< Black tea >
