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Winners of O-CHA Pioneer Award 2021

Academic Research Award

Excellent academic research related to tea

MIZUKAMI Yuzo, Ph.D.

(Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, NARO)

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Elucidation of tea odor using sniffling gas chromatograph

Introduced sniffling gas chromatograph and identified four compounds as new tea odor components. Odor extract dilution analysis revealed how much each odor component affects the original odor of tea. It is expected that "visualization of odor", which has been difficult until now, will spread to many fields related to tea and will greatly contribute to the development of the industry.


 

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; Kawasaki Kiko Co., Ltd.; Shizuoka Seiki Co., Ltd.

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Development and dissemination of NIR analyzer for Sencha, Black tea, Tencha (Matcha)

There was an issue left that sensory evaluation is affected by many factors. NIR analyzer for Senha, Black tea, Tencha (Matcha) is the de facto standard which is stated in figures. It is expected that the tea industry will be dramatically promoted by stabilizing the quality of crude tea at high level, conducting fair trade, promoting the distribution of tea, and expanding domestic and overseas consumption.


 

O-CHA Special Award

Excellent global achievements related to tea and the contribution of spreading Japanese tea

KINEZUKA Toshiaki

(Chairman of Hitotono Shizenwo Tunagukai)

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Pioneer of pesticide-free tea cultivation and dissemination activities of organic farming

In 1976, he made a Pesticide-free tea society with consumers in consideration of Japan's future, food safety, and environmental protection. This philosophy has been passed down to today, and the society became an agricultural production corporation "Hitotono Shizenwo Tunagukai" and continue to disseminate information on pesticide-free tea cultivation nationwide. Now, we feel the need to appreciate his long-standing activity as a sustainable agricultural practitioner.


 

Katharine BURNETT, Ph.D.

(Professor, University of California)

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The founder of "Global Tea Initiative", a group that researches global tea interdisciplinary

She founded "Global Tea Initiative (GTI, tea culture and scientific research)" in 2015. The group is engaged in tea promotion activities from a global perspective with experts and companies in a wide range of fields and various partners. It is expected the contribution to the spread of Japanese tea, such as by disseminating the functionality of Japanese tea from the United States in collaboration with University of Shizuoka.


 

CHAllenge Award

Ambitious efforts to drive the future of tea

WASHIZU Kyoichiro

(Representative, Ochazome Washizu.)

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Creation of a new tea dyeing industry by fusing Shizuoka tea and traditional crafts (Suruga Wazome)

In addition to drinking, he regards tea as the Shizuoka's largest resource and creates a fashion and fabric industry that combines the dyeing technology of Shizuoka's traditional craft "Suruga Wazome" with the "tea industry". He continues the activity with the aim of creating a new tea dyeing industry and culture.


 

Arahataen Co., Ltd.

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Product development that expands the possibilities of tea

They have been developing wide lineup of tea products with functional claims such as Japanese Puar tea, GABA tea and tea with salacia, and a collaboration series with high school students etc. Based on the premise of "delicious tea", they are trying to add value and make the appeal of tea known to various generations.