Kamairicha

Kamairicha Tokusen — Issin-en (Miyazaki) • artisanal, pan-roasted green tea

Issin-en (一心園) is a family farm that cultivates its organic plantations in the Hinokage area of ​​the mountainous Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū. Their main profile is kamairicha – a traditional Japanese green tea roasted in a pan – which is a rarity in Japan and a specialty of the southern regions (Miyazaki in particular). The Tokusen (“special selection”) batch is fragrant, round and clean in the mouth, with low bitterness and a long sweet finish.

Origin & style

• Region: Hinokage, Nishi-Usuki, Miyazaki – steep, mountainous plots.
• Producer: Issin-en (Kai family) – organically grown, without pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
• Style: kamairicha – pan-roasting (kama) instead of steaming, which gives the leaves their slightly curved, “comma” shape and nutty-toasted aromas.

Processing in brief

Freshly picked in spring, the leaves are heated in a high-temperature iron pot ( kama ) for green enzymatic “fixation,” followed by gentle twisting and drying. The hand-controlled temperature and time give Tokusen its round, clean, low-bitter style.

Flavor profile

• Aroma: toasted grain, roasted soy, slight caramel-honey tone.
• Taste: nutty, bready, with delicate green-spicy layers; silky body and clean balance.
• Finish: long, sweet, clean, with minimal astringency.

Recommended preparation

Japanese (kyusu) method

• 5 g tea / 200 ml soft water
• 80–85°C
• 1st pour: 60–90 sec • 2nd: 20–30 sec • 3rd: 45–60 sec

Western method

• 3g / 250ml
• 80–85 °C, 1.5–2 minutes
• Second pour: +30–40 sec.

Cold brew / cold soak

• 8–10 g / 1 liter
• Refrigerate for 6–8 hours
• Result: a clean, nutty-toasted, coolly sweet cup, almost completely free of bitterness.

Pairing & occasion

• Roasted seeds, lightly smoked cheeses, savory pies, light chocolates.
• For an afternoon relaxation or a caffeine-free evening tea.

Note: Kamairicha is sensitive to too high a temperature – it is recommended to set it between 80–85 °C and work with soft (low TDS) water.