Wazuka is a small town located in the prefecture, Uji Kyoto, Japan. The city is most famous for its tea production, and its beautiful tea plantations. Every year, thousands of tourists come to Wazuka to see the tea plantations and learn about the tea production process.
The history of tea in Wazuka
The history of tea production in Wazuka dates back to the 13th century when Buddhist monks first started growing the tea plant. Tea quickly became a popular drink among Japanese royalty, and by the 16th century, Wazuka was one of the main centers of tea production in Japan. Today, there are over 100 tea growers in Wazuka, and the city produces some of the best quality green tea in all of Japan.
Wazuka's ideal climate and soil
Wazuka's climate and soil are ideal for growing tea crops. The city is situated on a plateau between two mountains, which provides protection from strong winds and bad weather conditions. The soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, which help tea plants thrive.
Tea production
Tea production is a labor-intensive process, and every step has to be done by hand. The first step is to pick the leaves from the plant. This is usually done in early spring when the leaves are the freshest. Once the leaves are picked, they are then steamed to stop oxidation. After steaming, the leaves are rolled into small pellets and dried. Finally, they are roasted to bring out their taste and aroma.
The finished product is high quality green tea with a delicate taste and aroma. If you're ever in Kyoto, be sure to take a day trip to Wazuka to see the beautiful tea plantations and learn about this amazing process!