Sakura
We source our sakura leaves from a JAS organic certified farm in Ehime. The cultivar "Youkou" (陽光) used for the tea was specially bred by our farmer's father and has a heartwarming story that has even been adapted into a film in Japan. The former middle school teacher was deeply affected by the impact of the Second World War on his students; although he had promised that they would be reunited under a cherry blossom tree (sakura), he was never to see many of them return from war. With unwavering determination and countless setbacks, he dedicated the next two decades to a very special project: growing a sakura that could grow and thrive in both hot and cold climates. This cultivar was developed not only to fulfil the promise to his students, but also to serve as a symbol of peace and commemoration of fallen soldiers around the world. For more than 40 years, the Foundation has planted more than 20,000 of these cherry blossom trees all over the world - from the Vatican to Madagascar, Mexico to Azerbaijan, the deep pink flowering Youkou Sakura can be found as a symbol of peace and tolerance among nations.
Yunnan Moonlight
The highlands of Yunnan have a generally mild, subtropical climate right up to its altitudes. This is due to the mostly south-facing slopes, which are thus climatically strongly influenced by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
This tea is grown in the Wuliang Mountains above the town of Pu Er, far from any industry or main traffic arteries at an altitude of 1500m. In fact, the historic Tea Horse Road to Tibet passes through the tea fields. Traditionally, various comparatively large-leaved cultivars are grown in Yunnan, some of which go back to very old tea plants.
Only the best young buds and youngest two leaves are chosen for the tea, and only a few kg are produced each year. The buds are first pre-fermented indoors according to a secret procedure, and then traditionally sun-dried.
