{"title":"Dark Tea","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur Organic Mori-machi Dark Tea is a dark tea made in Japan. What we call \"dark tea\" is tea that involves some sort of fermentation process to make it. Different than something like kombucha, with dark teas \u003cem\u003eonly\u003c\/em\u003e the tea leaves are fermented and not the brewed tea. This tea is reminiscent of the well-known dark tea made in China called \u003ci\u003eshóu\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cem\u003e p\u003cspan\u003eǔ'ěr\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. The Organic Mori-machi Dark Tea has a similar taste profile to this tea due to the fermentation process it undergoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[***]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReal Black Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250423-026.jpg?v=1750870346\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eUnlike the general tea classifications of green, black and oolong that we use in the US and Japan, China has their own unique tea categories which include: green, yellow, white, blue, red, black and flower teas. Dark tea belongs in the black tea (Chinese: \u003cem\u003ehēichá\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cspan\u003e黑茶)\u003c\/span\u003e category in China. What we in the U.S. call \"black tea\" belongs in red tea (Chinese: \u003ci\u003ehóngchá\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cem\u003e, \u003c\/em\u003e紅茶) category in China. Dark tea is also known as \"post-fermented tea\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFermentation Processes for Mori-machi Dark Tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/pu-erh-tea-fermentation-processes.jpg?v=1611596305\" alt=\"Fermentation Processes for Mori-machi Dark Tea\" style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are a number of steps in the fermentation process:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMoisture is added to tea leaves so that kuro koji bacteria (a fermentation starter) will be more active. A blender is used to incorporate the moisture evenly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe wet leaves are sterilized naturally with high heat steam to remove unwanted bacteria. After sterilization, kuro koji is spread evenly to start the fermentation process.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eTea leaves develop heat during the fermentation process and a temperature sensor indicates to the producer when it is time to move the tea leaves around. This movement prevents the leaves from getting too hot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eOnce the fermentation level has been reached, the leaves are sterilized (high heat steam) again to stop the activity of the kuro koji. Leaves are then fired in a roasting machine to make them aromatic and flavorful. This also keeps the quality superior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250423-030.jpg?v=1750870378\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDark tea is known as \"diet tea\". While drinking tea might help you to lose weight, it isn't always the case. Still, the fermentation process produces gallic acid. Gallic acid works with the catechins in tea to control the activity of bile. Bile emulsifies fat and makes it absorb into your body. Catechins and gallic acid are thought to work together to block the fat from being deposited in your body. This is explained in more detail in the following press release:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNew elements found in microbial fermentation tea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" alt=\"News\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/ShizuokaShimbun_240x240.jpg?v=1611596645\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShizuoka News. March 23, 2011 \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMicrobial research and development company \"RIVERSION\", located in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka-Prefecture (President: Denbei Kawamura) found two new polyphenols in its development of microbial fermentation tea. These two polyphenols suppress the diabetes enzyme of diabetes in adults. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA joint research project was conducted with Shizuoka University and Saga University. Microbial fermented tea is an innovative tea using a microbe scientifically confirmed not to make aflatoxin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIt [the microbe] is a raw component found in Japanese green tea and, during its process (moisture control sterilization - microbial fermentation), catechins are degraded and new polyphenols are created. These new polyphenols have been named \"Teadenol A\" and \"Teadenol B\". \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eTests of eighteen obese rats show that visceral fat, neutral fat and cholesterol decrease and that weight was lowered in all eighteen rats. This microbial fermentation tea has also successfully passed food safety tests. Mr. Kawamura explained that, \"the raw material for this microbial fermentation tea is green tea which ensures a stable production throughout a year. In addition, tea high in catechins is suitable as a raw material and, thus, the use of second flush green tea will significantly help Japanese tea farmers\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250423-037.jpg?v=1750870579\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTaste\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIf you are familiar with fermented tea, you might expect the taste to have a strong, earthy flavor. However, our Organic Mori-machi Dark Tea has somewhat of a toasty flavor. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/20250423-043.jpg?v=1750870663\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThere is distinct, yet, gentle sourness from the fermentation. This sourness is actually a flavor that is sought after by many dark tea \u003cspan\u003eenthusiasts\u003c\/span\u003e. It feels warm in the stomach can be soothing to smell and taste. Note that it does not contain alcohol even though it was fermented with a sake fermentation method.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mori-machi-dark-tea","title":"Organic Mori-machi Dark Tea","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eOur organic Mori-machi Dark Tea is a dark tea (\u003cem\u003ekurocha\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cspan\u003e黒茶)\u003c\/span\u003e made in Japan. It is reminiscent of the well-known fermented tea made in Pu-erh City in China and has a similar taste profile due to the fermenting process it goes through. However, it is rather unique because it is produced in Shizuoka, Japan with a new sake fermentation method in a sterile environment. This method produces gallic acid and citric acid that non-fermented tea does not have. These components have caused dark tea to be known, for better or for worse, as a \"diet tea\". \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe recommend our organic Mori-machi Dark Tea if you:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre interested in changing or adding a new beverage to your diet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlready enjoy dark tea, Pu-erh tea or any other fermented teas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre a coffee drinker who is interested in other slightly sour beverages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Mori-machi, Shizuoka\u003cbr\u003eHarvest: A blend of first \u0026amp; second harvests\u003cbr\u003eSpecies: Yabukita \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToasty, a little sour, and incredibly mellow. There is a slight saltiness to the taste as well as a buttery flavor and aroma. It lacks the dense, earthy taste that some dark teas can have. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDen's Preferred Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeaf-water ratio: 2-3 g (~1 tsp)\/4 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater: Boiled; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteep: 3 min.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e2nd Steep\u003c\/span\u003e Water Boiled; Steep 1.5 min\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Den's Tea","offers":[{"title":"2 oz (56 g)","offer_id":47527559463127,"sku":"3129","price":20.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 lb (454 g)","offer_id":37504923697310,"sku":"3130","price":153.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/Organic-Mori-machi.jpg?v=1756840439"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/collections\/2228283bc6e9d883ae447b95f6d33003.jpg?v=1750870330","url":"https:\/\/denstea.com\/collections\/dark-tea.oembed","provider":"Den's Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}