Kyusu-teapot, round, black, 180 ml

The KEIKO Special Tea segment represents our "non-green" teas. Rarities that are difficult to find but have convinced that they deserve their spot on tea shelves everywhere. The KEIKO Japan Oolong Karasu is the newest addition to this range. Oolong tea is "half-fermented", which means it can be placed in between the very lightly fermented KEIKO Benifuuki teas and the Japanese Black Teas Kawanabe and Yakushima.Oolong originated in China and is translated as the "black dragon". The Japanese signs used for Oolong tea differ slightly and are a combination of the signs for crow, dragon and tea. The sign for crow on its own is read "Karasu" - giving a name to our tea.Like the Japanese Black Tea Yakushima the KEIKO-Oolong is grown in the organic tea garden of the Fujiwara family on the beautiful island of Yakushima - a lush, subtropical paradise that has been declared UNESCO world natural site. It is made from the first spring harvest of the undshaded tea plants of our signature cultivar Yutaka Midori.<b>Aroma:</b>Oolong Karasu has a particularly soft, velvety aroma with a honey-like sweetness, subtle vanilla notes and the delicate fruity taste of ripe peaches.<b>Preparation:</b>Oolong is traditionally "washed" with the first infusion by pouring hot water over it and draining it directly. You can omit this step with this oolong and let the first infusion steep at about 90°C for about 1 minute - this allows you to enjoy the full range of flavor of the tea.The tea has a clear orange-golden color in the infusion and has a very high yieald. It can be re-infused several times with a few seconds of infusion time, the infusion time can then be extended again slightly for the last infusion. <b>Storage:</b> We recommend to store the opened packade in a cool and dry space.  

Unlike regular Green Tea this Japanese green tea specialty from the 1st picking in May is slightly fermented. It comes from the tea variety "Benifuuki" and has a very high content of the antioxidative or antiallergic catechines EGCg and 3MeEGCg (EGCg3). The scent and flavor of this years harvest, when all conditions are just right during the time of the Benifuuki Spring picking surprised even us. We are delighted by this new harvest: As soon as you open the package a wonderful smell streams out, characteristic for Benifuuki and a little like that of very fine Oolong tea. The leaf structure is good and of a luscious green. In the cup the tea develops a soft green color with golden reflexions and caresses the tongue with playfully fruity and light with a subtle tartness and the elegant notes of jasmine in the scent.  Storage In order to preserve the precious flavours and ingredients of the tea as best as possible, we recommend to seal the bag well and store it cool and dark - ideally in your refrigerator or freezer.  The production and also the fragrance are similar to that of Oolong tea. However, the freshly harvested leaves are not simply heated, but steamed briefly at especially high temperatures. Furthermore, the partial fermentation does not take place in a warm environment as with Oolong, but in the dark at a low temperature. Only the further drying and pressing process corresponds to that of Oolong tea. Thanks to this special processing this unusual tea stays green like a real Japanese tea!

Hojicha (or: Houjicha) is a roasted green tea. The name is composed of the word 'hojiru' for 'toast' and the 'cha' for 'tea'. With a Horoku tea roaster you can even roast your own hojicha from your favourite green tea. KEIKO Hojicha is made from Kabusecha of the 1st and 2nd picking. Hojicha is probably the only green tea that has the right to have a red-brown cup colour. What otherwise indicates a lack of quality is in this case desired. Hochija is a great companion in both the cold and warm seasons. With its warm, mild and nut-like roasting aromas, a hot Hojicha is just right to warm up after a long winter walk. In Japan, Hojicha is often drunk with the whole family at dinner. But it is also great in the summer as a cold refreshment when you are out and about, doing sports or just to accompany your meals. Storage In order to preserve the precious flavours and ingredients of the tea as best as possible, we recommend to seal the bag well and store it cool and dark - ideally in your refrigerator or freezer.