Green Tea Forum

lafost2 · Brown Belt Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 54

This question is directed more toward Kevin, but anyone who can answer would be appreciated. I know I've seen somewhere on the O-Cha website that the majority of China's green tea is kept within the country. With the quality of O-Cha's teas that I have tried thus far being very high quality, how can Japan export their "good" tea to the U.S.? Do they prefer to keep thier good tea in the country? Is there such an excess amount that they choose to export? I was just wondering about this because the quality of the green tea sold by O-Cha is so good.

Thanks

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 926 Location: Japan

I've never actually written on my website that the majority of Chinese green teas are stored in the country. Probably most of their green teas are sent abroad to the US and Europe. That said, I've had numerous people in the Chinese tea business tell me the best stuff never leaves the country, I might have mentioned that somewhere. For the most part, I am sure that is true, "never" is probably too strong of a word. I think the best stuff is prized more in China than it is abroad and is recognized more. The bulk of the green teas you run into in the USA are from China, stuff intended for the mass market. Even when you find Japanese green tea, rarely is it good. For example, they''re not going to send expensive gyokuro to people who would not appreciate nor pay the hefty price for it.

From my own experience, I've only ever had really good Lung Ching once and that was here in Japan. It's really hard to find a good one, no kidding. I went to a tea show in Hong Kong last year and bought the best one they had and it doesn't compare to the Japanese green teas. Not to say it doesn't exist, I'm sure it does. I occasionally buy oolong and get it from Taiwan, it's pretty good. I doubt you'd find that quality in the USA very easily.

Even in Japan, the quality can vary a lot. You don't run into a Miyabi or Yutaka here very often. They're kind of expensive here, above what the average Japanese person would pay for green tea. When I tried those the first time, I knew I had to sell them. Basically, I can get top notch green teas because I have done the homework and made the right connections. It doesn't hurt that I live here now.

There is some "private reserve" gyokuro which I could get but I already have several top notch gyokuros online now.

lafost2 · Brown Belt Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 54

Thanks Kevin!

I appreciate your quick response. Thanks for offering high quality Japanese Green Tea.