King of Green RIICHI Premium

A 400-Year Uji Lineage. The tea is made by Toshikazu Yoshida, the 16th-generation head of the Yoshida family, tea producers in Uji, Kyoto for 400 years. Royal Blue Tea's website and social media identify the maker interchangeably as Riichi Yoshida and as Toshikazu Yoshida, the 16th-generation Yoshida. According to Royal Blue Tea, the origin of Uji tea is traced to seeds brought from Song-dynasty China by the Zen monk Eisai in the early Kamakura period, which were then given to Myoe Shonin of Kozan-ji Temple in Toganoo, Kyoto.^{[1],[2],[3],[4]}

Cultivation & Extraction. The tea is cultivated using the traditional natural-style (自然仕立) method, which includes compost farming, shading with reed screens (yoshizu / 葦簀), and building up soft, airy soil — a labor-intensive approach Royal Blue Tea describes as rarely seen today. Leaves are hand-picked (手摘み). Processing is carried out by master Riichi Yoshida and JA Kyoto Yamashiro. The bottled tea is produced by a non-heated cold extraction process lasting three days.^[1],[4]

Appearance. Poured into a wine glass, King of Green RIICHI Premium shows a clear yellow brilliance reminiscent of a deeply aged white wine. Royal Blue Tea also describes the color as a pure golden luster resembling mature white wine.^[1]

Nose. The aroma is described as vivid, reminiscent of aged white wine, expanding further on the palate.^[3]

Palate. On the palate the vivid aroma expands, carrying a fragrant sweetness that Royal Blue Tea describes as creating a sense of excitement, with a sweet, fragrant flavor that expands when sipped.^[1],[2],[3]

Glassware. King of Green RIICHI Premium is intended to be served in a wine glass, where its clear yellow, aged-white-wine-like color and expanding aroma are displayed.^[1]

Royal Blue Tea recommends King of Green RIICHI Premium as a pre-meal, aperitif tea for entertaining guests, owing to its vivid and impactful character.^[3]

Production. The tea is grown and processed in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, in the garden of master Riichi Yoshida, with processing carried out by Riichi Yoshida and JA Kyoto Yamashiro. The bottled tea itself is made by Royal Blue Tea.^[1]