Welcome to our Tea & Cooking herbs shop, where we proudly present the finest green teas from our trusted partner farm in Wazuka, Japan.
Located in the picturesque Kyoto region, Wazuka is renowned for its deep-rooted tea cultivation traditions and exceptional tea quality.
Over the past 70 years, Wazuka’s population has decreased significantly, with only about 3,300 residents remaining as of April 2023. This rural community relies heavily on agriculture and is home to around 300 tea-growing families. Despite its rich cultural heritage, Wazuka faces challenges due to an aging population and a lack of younger generations to take over tea farming.
The mountainous landscape of Wazuka makes large-scale tea production difficult, resulting in small batches of highly diverse teas. Nearly 300 tea farms in Wazuka take pride in their unique teas, using various cultivation methods and production techniques. This commitment to quality and tradition ensures that Wazuka tea is known for its exceptional flavour and authenticity.
Our partner’s Tea Garden is a family-owned farm with a rich history of 350 years in tea cultivation. They have maintained their tea fields with a deep respect for nature, avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilisers. This dedication to sustainable practices ensures that every cup of tea from their garden is pure, natural, and of the highest quality.
Simplifying the Tea Supply Chain
The current Japanese tea supply chain is complex, involving multiple steps that often lead to high prices or low-quality tea. The typical chain includes:
Tea farmer → 2. Agricultural cooperative → 3. Buyer → 4. Exporter → 5. Local distributor → 6. Local retailer → 7. You
At our tea shop, we streamline this process to ensure you receive the best quality tea at a fair price:
Japanese Tea Garden → 2. Us (your local retailer) → 3. You
Supporting each other on the Tea Journey
By choosing our teas, you support a wonderful tea journey that benefits everyone involved. You will enjoy high-quality green teas, while we, as your local supplier, foster a community of tea enthusiasts in UK. This partnership not only supports our small business but also aids our partners in Wazuka, who are committed to producing exceptional teas and sustaining their local community.
Join us in celebrating the rich tradition of Wazuka tea and savour the unparalleled quality and flavour that comes from centuries of dedicated cultivation. Together, we can ensure that this remarkable heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.
I first came across IVA Plants and Alex their founder at my local monthly Artisan market and decided to try the Sleep Well tea and the Rose Garden Tea. I was very impressed with the lovely aroma and the quality of the ingredients. There is an online shop but I thought I would head down to the market again to stock up. This time I bought dried Chamomile flowers, Rose buds and a Houjicha roasted greentea that she suggested for me as it is lower in caffeine. I would highly recommend all of the purchases I have made.