How we choose the teas we truly love
Kawagiri Tea is…
Unique, but never outlandish.
Drinkable, but never boring.
Not just a rare treat—but a tea you’ll want every day.
We’re tea curators. We try many teas every day and select only those that align with our philosophy.
Here’s what we look for.
Uniqueness
In modern Japan, tea has become so casual and accessible that it’s often treated like water—always present, but rarely appreciated.
Mass production, convenience, and consistency have become the norm. Fewer people use a kyusu (Japanese teapot), and many now turn to tea bags or bottled tea.
To suit this lifestyle, most teas today are blended and deep-steamed (fukamushi), resulting in mellow, easy-to-brew cups with smooth, uniform flavor.
We enjoy that kind of tea too.
But sometimes, we feel something is missing.
It’s becoming harder to encounter tea’s original character—its uniqueness.
In truth, Japanese tea is incredibly diverse.
Its flavor is shaped by countless factors: region, terroir, cultivar, organic practices, shading, steaming—and more.
Learning about these differences, and actually tasting them, is part of what makes tea so enjoyable.
When we intentionally seek out unique teas—like small-batch, mountain-grown varieties—we’re often amazed by how boldly distinctive they are.
It’s a completely different experience from commodity supermarket teas.
Take the Koshun cultivar, for example—highly herbal and aromatic.
Our first reaction was: “Wait, what is this?”
Teas like that awaken curiosity and joy. They open the door to a deeper world of tea—a world where you stop and truly pay attention to every sip.
In moments like these, tea is no longer just water.
It becomes something to reflect on—its flavor, its origin, its maker.
For us, this way of enjoying tea isn’t exactly new—it’s more of a classic approach.
But in the midst of today’s fast-paced, modern life, it can feel surprisingly fresh and deeply meaningful.
We also believe that this way of experiencing tea—slow, thoughtful, and personal—has the potential to shine light on Japan’s struggling tea industry.
That’s why we choose teas with a clear and distinct character.
We value single origin and single cultivar teas, as they make it easier to taste and understand a tea’s true identity.
But we also deeply appreciate high-quality blends crafted by skilled Chashi/ 茶師 (tea masters).
These are not simple mixes—they’re expressions of years of expertise and philosophy.
Carefully sourced, blended, and fired, they are a true form of craftsmanship.
These are the kinds of teas we’re always looking for.
Drinkability
While uniqueness is what we value, drinkability matters just as much—especially here in Canada, where many people are still new to Japanese tea and taste preferences can be quite different.
To better understand local palates, we’ve tried a variety of Japanese teas available from Canadian vendors.
Whenever we sample teas from Japan, we brew them here—because Canadian water is harder than in Japan, and that can subtly affect the taste.
We always consider which teas brew well and harmonize with local water.
We also recognize that green tea culture here leans more toward Chinese green teas, with their lighter, floral character—quite different from the umami-rich, brothy profile often found in Japanese teas.
And of course, coffee culture is strong.
That’s why hojicha’s roastiness feels familiar and approachable—we’ve expanded our hojicha lineup with that in mind.
So, what defines drinkability for us?
- Not overly bitter or sharp (astringent)
- Gentle sweetness
- Floral, lighter taste
- Balanced flavor—not just heavy on umami
- Roastiness, toastiness, or smokiness
Uniqueness and drinkability are often on opposite ends of the spectrum.
We’re always struggling to find teas that balance both—but they do exist.
Like we always say:
- Unique, but never outlandish.
- Drinkable, but never boring.
- Not just a rare treat, but something you’ll want every day.
Those are the teas we’re always looking for.
And when we find them—we can’t wait to share them with you.
Calmingness and a Positive Push
We love teas that bring a sense of calm.
Like a tea with a silky mouthfeel and gentle sweetness that leaves you mellow,
or a hojicha chai that quietly warms you from the inside out.
It’s not something we can fully explain—but we do believe in tea’s calming power.
Its ability to soothe, to comfort, and to give you a small, positive push when you need it.
We live in a busy world, and things aren’t always easy.
But even during those moments, tea can be there for you.
And if our teas can give you even a tiny moment of peace—we’re happy.
That sense of calm is always on our minds when we select our teas.
After all, this is the tea we love—and we honestly believe it’s good for you too.
