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Winners of O-CHA Pioneer Award 2020
O-CHA Special Award
Excellent academic research related to tea
WANG Ya-Lei
(Chairman of Chinese Tea association of Japan)
Contribution to Japan-China tea industry and academic exchange over the years
He built a bond between Japan and China for academic, industrial, and cultural exchanges related to tea, such as inviting Chinese researchers to Japan for the Tea Science Symposium, taking care of Japanese visitors in China, and launching the Chinese tea association of Japan. He has been contributing to Shizuoka Prefecture and Japanese tea industry over 20 years through the above activities.
Industrial Technology/Product Development Award
Development of excellent technologies and products related to tea production and consumption
Tea Recerch Center, Shizuoka Prefectural Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry
Development of "Kaori Ryokucha" to drive consumer demand for green tea
They focused on "Kaori (fragrance)" that consumers require for green tea and developed "Kaori Ryokucha", sweet flower like scent without any artificial additives. They clarified the mechanism between the steaming, rolling and drying processes and the aroma, and established manufacturing method with low aroma loss. We expect the Kaori Ryokucha will promote tea industry as a new tea unique to Shizuoka Prefecture.
CHAllenge Award
Ambitious efforts to drive the future of tea
LEE Young ja
(Owner of "Tokyo Chareibo" Korean Tea & Culture House, Representative Director of Japan Korean Tea Association, Manager of the Tokyo Branch of Korean Tea Ceremony Association)
Contribution to Japan-Korea Tea Culture Exchange
As the owner of Tokyo Chareibo and the Manager of the Tokyo Branch of Korean Tea Ceremony Association etc., she has been involved in the experience of Korean tea ceremony, which is difficult to get in touch from Japan, and the demonstration activities of the tea ceremony. She has been working hard for promoting understanding and the culture exchange between the two countries. It is expected that Japan and Korea will continue to contribute to the mutual development of the tea industry.
Water Environment Research Group of The Science Club, Shizuoka Kita High School, Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology
Hydrogen production by energy-saving water electrolysis using photoreduction of iron ions by used tea leaves
They found that hydrogen can be produced safely, inexpensive, and energy-saving way with combining the reduction of trivalent iron ions to divalent iron ions using visible light and used tea leaves and the electrolysis of water at a low voltage of 1V or less due to the oxidation of divalent iron ions.
