Producer
Role & Contribution
Yamaguchi leads the Hoshino Tea Garden, where he produces King of Green HOSHINO Super Premium for Royal Blue Tea. He also carries out the tea processing for King of Green HIRO Premium, a traditional hon-gyokuro (伝統本玉露) of the Saemidori cultivar grown at the tea garden of master grower Hiroshi Yamaguchi in Hoshino Village, Yame City. King of Green HIRO is credited to his craftsmanship alongside the garden's cultivation methods.
He is the maker of The Gyokuro Hojicha KAHO, a roasted gyokuro built exclusively from the stem portions (karigane) selected from first-flush gyokuro leaves, from Hoshino Village in Yame City. Royal Blue Tea states he selected the local leaves himself and crafted the tea exclusively for the brand. The finishing is a long-duration, light roast (浅炒り焙煎); according to Royal Blue Tea the technique demands subtle adjustment and precise timing, and has been praised by chefs in the culinary world.