Black tea production in Japan

First production of black tea in Japan started in 1874. Before 1874, green tea was the equally important exporting item as silk. However, black tea became more popular in many part of the world. To correspond the big demand of black tea on the world market, Japanese government invited Chinese specialist on black tea production, and planned the project for producing black tea. In 1876, Japanese government sent Motokichi Toda to India for the research and study on black tea production. After he came back to Japan from India, he traveled many different parts of Japan to give people lectures and advice. Although Japan started a production of black tea targeting for the world market, the Japanese black tea was not very popular in the world market. Compare to Ceylon tea from India, Japanese black tea had less fragrance and color. After the lot of effort, Japan succeeded to produce the black tea suitable for the soil and climate in Japan called "Benihomare" . Benihomare was made from the seeds which Motokichi Tada had brought from India. After the World warⅡ, hybrid of a Chinese black tea and Assam (from India) "Benihikari", and "Benifuki" were also introduced as a high grade Japanese black tea. After the war, black tea boom arrived. In 1955, 8500 ton of black tea was produced in Japan, and they were mainly exported to other countries. However, short after, Japan lost the world price war on black tea, and in 15 years exporting black tea stopped almost completely. Even today, small production of black tea is still continuing for the domestic demands. Since most of the Japanese black teas are made with the leaves for producing green tea, their taste is rather light. They are great for drinking without adding any milk or sugar.

(Kiyoshi Iwaasa)