Japanese black tea is called “Wakocha”. Did you know it has another nickname as “Jikocha”? "Wakocha" literally means Japanese black tea, while "Jikocha" is locally-grown black tea. In any case, both refers to black tea grown and produced in Japan, but strictly speaking, they are slightly different.
Japanese black tea was first produced around the 19th century as an export items, but it didn’t last long, and green tea has been the mainstream. But the consumption of green tea has been declining, and more people have given up their tea business.
Black tea has started to be produced again since 1990’s in hope that the local tea industry and community would revitalize and be able to be handed down to future, and now it is getting popular.
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| Wakocha and Jikocha - Yumefuki from Kagoshima- |
In other word, in 19th century, production of black tea was encouraged by the government while the current black tea production was started by tea farmers who really care about the community including its economy, environment and future.
So “jikocha” can be taken as the tea for community. If so, there are lots of “Jikocha” produced by people who try to help revitalize the local industry throughout the world.
Mass-produced tea is needed, but Jikocha, which is small-scale, but produced with a great care for the community, could help the areas and the people in the world.
