BATA BATA CHA | TOYAMA DARK TEA, AEROBIC FERMENTATION

Traditional Japanese aerobically fermented tea from Toyama. Earthy, rich, delicious and extremely eye opening! Bata Bata Cha (ばたばた茶) is DIFFERENT. You'll find the funkiness that comes from aerobic fermentation (think Hunan brick tea or cooked Pu Er)... but tea leaves from some of the coldest tea growing regions in Japan. Please click on a video for a description of the experience. WARNING: whisking tea can be addictive. Once you start whisking bata bata, you may want to do the same for other fermented teas. Or any tea. Tea Info TYPE Dark ORIGIN Asahimachi, Toyama, Japan GPS 36.9°N 137.6°E CULTIVAR Zairai GROWER Toshiaki Hiraki A gorohachi chawan (五郎八茶碗) is the traditional vessel used for 'bata-bata cha' (ばたばた茶), a most intriguing dark tea from Toyama. This dark tea is boiled and then whisked with a double chasen (meoto chasen | 夫婦茶 筅). Brewing Guide BATA BATA CHA WATER 100ºC | 212ºF 1L | 34oz TEA 3 tbsp| 8g STEEP 20 minutes in boiling water EQUIPMENT Traditional: bowl (gorohachi) and whisk (meoto chasen)Nontraditional: pot and strainer BREWING INSTRUCTIONS To brew, boil 8 grams per litre for 20 minutes. Strain, serve in a bowl (ideally a “gorohachi”) and whisk quickly to create a rich froth. ABOUT THE GROWER Bata Bata has been grown in Toyama for over 500 years… but only one producer remains: Hiraki San. This very cool tea is created with leaves and twigs harvested during summer. The leaves are cooked, withered and fermented for over 1 month in wooden boxes. The result is a gentle, naturally sweet, very relaxing brew. Grower on the map