{"title":"Guricha","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGuricha\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cspan\u003eぐり茶, \"curly tea\")\u003c\/span\u003e is different from sencha both in appearance and taste. Guricha is steamed and fashioned into comma-shaped leaves by omitting the final kneading process. We recommend guricha for those who like sencha's taste but may think sencha is a bit strong. Consequently, we say guricha is a milder version sencha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[***]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTamaryokucha\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/kamairicha11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614500\" alt=\"Kamairicha\" style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/kamairicha11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614500\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e You are familiar with types of Japanese teas such as sencha, matcha and genmaicha. However, there is a type of Japanese tea called \u003cem\u003et\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eamaryokucha\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cspan\u003e玉緑茶)\u003c\/span\u003e. It means \"ball green tea.\" As the name implies, this tea is not shaped like a needle, but is instead somewhat coiled or comma shaped. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere are 2 types of tamaryokucha. One is \u003cem\u003ekamairi-cha\u003c\/em\u003e and the other is guricha. Both are roughly the same shape, however, kamairi-cha is produced by pan-firing and guricha is produced by steaming. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCurrently only 2 prefectures produce these teas. Ureshino City in the Saga prefecture located in the southern island of Kyushu produces both kamairi-cha and guricha. Additionaly, a few cities in Shizuoka prefecture produce guricha. The total amount of both productions is less than 1% of all Japanese teas. So \"unique\" is a good descriptor for these teas!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere does the name \"Guri\" comes from?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWe have often said that \u003cem\u003echa\u003c\/em\u003e means \"tea\" in Japanese. So, you may be wondering what \u003cem\u003eguri\u003c\/em\u003e means in Japanese. If you know more Japanese, you probably know that \u003cem\u003eguri\u003c\/em\u003e by itself doesn't mean anything. We really don't know how the name \"guricha\" came into existence. But, of course, there are various theories about the origin of guricha:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA name representing its shape which looks like what is called a \u003cem\u003eguri guri\u003c\/em\u003e or \"round lump\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e A name describing its shape, like \u003cem\u003ekuri kuri,\u003c\/em\u003e meaning \"big and round\". We often say a child's eyes are cute in a \"kuri kuri\" sort of way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Named after a Japanese guri pattern which is similar to a western Paisley pattern.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Choose whatever origin appeals to you. More importantly, enjoy the flavor of this unique tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGuricha is produced in a different way than traditional Japanese tea. Normally after picking, tea leaves are steamed, kneaded and rolled. Just before the last kneading process, the tea leaves are rolled like ball. A final kneading process makes tea leaves straight, as in sencha. For guricha, that final process is omitted which leaves the tea the shape of a in a \"comma\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/chinese-gunpowder-tea11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614551\" alt=\"Chinese Gunpowder Tea\" style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/chinese-gunpowder-tea11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614551\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSurprisingly, guricha was originally produced to export to Russia around 1930. In the early 1900s Japan exported green tea much more than it presently does. Most of all Japanese teas were exported to the US, but that market declined when black teas from India started to become more popular.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eConsequently, the Japanese tea industry looked for other tea markets abroad. It was found that some Japanese teas that were being exported were mixed with Chinese tea and sold in Russia. So, they made a tea with a shape similar to Chinese Gunpowder tea which was popular in Russia. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis opened a new market for Japanese tea manufacturers. Unfortunately, the export did not last long because of WWII. After the war, some Japanese tea exporters found another tea market in North Africa, especially Morocco, and started exporting guricha to compete with Chinese Gunpowder tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGuricha became popular because it was considered an important vitamin C source in the desert areas. But again, it only lasted several years because of an unstable political situation while Chinese and Taiwanese tea remained strong in that market. Guricha eventually became popular domestically and, fortunately for us, is still produced even though production has diminished.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGuricha's Flavor\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" alt=\"Gricha image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/guri-mizuiro11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614355\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/guri-mizuiro11112019_160x160.jpg?v=1611614355\" data-mce-style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe key to guricha's flavor comes from the production process. Since the final kneading process is omitted, the fibers of the tea leaves are not broken down as much as they are in the production of sencha. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThus, the extraction of flavors is slower than other Japanese loose-leaf tea. This results in a milder flavor that is less bitter. See for yourself; you can do a comparison between guricha and a good quality sencha.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"guricha","title":"Guricha","description":"\u003cp\u003eGuricha is different from sencha both in appearance and taste. This tea benefits from a specific manufacturing process that creates a tea similar in appearance to the pan-fired teas of China. Guricha is steamed and fashioned into \"comma\" shaped leaves by omitting the final kneading process. We recommend Guricha for those who like sencha's taste but may think sencha is a bit strong. Consequently, we say guricha is a milder version sencha. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Ureshino, Saga\u003cbr\u003eHarvest: First Flush \u003cbr\u003eCultivar: Yabukita\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAromatic leaves brew a milder and less astringent cup than a typical sencha. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDen's Preferred Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeaf-water ratio: 2-3 g (~1 tsp)\/4 oz\u003cbr\u003eWater: 180°F; Steep: 45 sec\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e2nd Cup\u003c\/span\u003e Water: Boiled; Steep 15 sec\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","brand":"Den's Tea","offers":[{"title":"2 oz (56 g)","offer_id":47527558643927,"sku":"1902","price":13.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 lb (454 g)","offer_id":37506767683742,"sku":"1903","price":92.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/products\/guricha2019.jpg?v=1756840424"},{"product_id":"organic-guricha","title":"Organic Guricha","description":"\u003cp\u003eVery rare organic Guricha in Japan. It has the unique, mellow taste that is typical to guri tea with a very clear flavor and floral aroma. We hope you will enjoy it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Masayoshi Houmatsu and his father are pioneers of organic guricha and have been working hard to perfect their craft. Initially, it was thought that it would be difficult to produce delicious guricha using organic methods, but through strong family ties, Houmatsu-san pursued his passion to produce an environmentally safe and beautiful tea. That passion is poured into this guricha, resulting in a truly delicious tea, which is produced in small quantities. We thank Houmatsu-san and his father for their efforts and for giving us the opportunity to handle this precious organic green tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrigin: Nagasaki \u003cbr\u003eHarvest: First Flush\u003cbr\u003eCultivar: Yabukita \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA mild “green” taste, slightly bitter, but is full-bodied with a hint of something floral like jasmine flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDen's Preferred Brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeaf-water ratio: 2-3 g (~1 tsp)\/4 oz\u003cbr\u003eWater: 180°F; Steep: 45 sec\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e2nd Cup\u003c\/span\u003e Water: Boiled; Steep 15 sec\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Den's Tea","offers":[{"title":"2 oz (56 g)","offer_id":47527557660887,"sku":"3125","price":17.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 lb (454 g)","offer_id":44134342361303,"sku":"3126","price":122.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/files\/guricha500-logo.jpg?v=1756840285"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/3909\/6222\/collections\/1460515b7098cfa9eece51b9e9efaaf9.jpg?v=1699685890","url":"https:\/\/denstea.com\/collections\/japanese-green-tea-guricha.oembed","provider":"Den's Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}