A major production area of tea with sprawling tea farms
Yame, located in the southwestern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, is famous throughout Japan as a place where tea was introduced in the 15th century and tea cultivation has been flourishing since ancient times. Yame, known for the cultivation of high-quality tea leaves, is also a production center for a high-grade green tea called Gyokuro.
Well-drained volcanic soil is great for tea farming
As Japan has many volcanoes, one can find many tea farms at the foot of these volcanic mountains. For example, famous tea regions such as, Shizuoka and Kagoshima are close to Mt Fuji and Sakurajima respectively. Similarly, Yame is located near Mt. Aso, another volcanic mountain. Well-drained volcanic soil is suitable for growing tea. Especially in Yame, the soil is covered with leaf mulch from the forest, and an abundance of minerals and nutrients contained in that soil make a great environment for tea farming.
Fog is a color
In Yame, mountain fog occurs in hilly areas where there is a temperature difference in the morning and afternoon. River fog can be found in flat areas where there are many flowing streams. When fog covers the tea farms, the plants try to store those nutrients, which intensifies the flavor and creates shine in the tea leaves.
Tea is a part of everyday life
Just as people used to grow their own rice and vegetables in their fields, people in Yame used to grow tea in their backyard for their own consumption. In today’s Japan, where people drink tea out of packaged plastic bottles, it is a true luxury to see people in Yame still holding onto the tradition of brewing tea.
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