Crude tea – “Aracha” – in Japan, it is usually stored in a very cold place immediately after picking and then serves as a base material for production of other teas. This form is rather rare in the market. This tea is from the first flush from shaded teayards in Kagoshima, southern Japan.
Shading of original tea plants has a long tradition. In the Kagoshima region in southern Japan (with the still active Sakurajima volcano), tea plants in the most suitable estates are covered with special nets (kabuse). Shading only lets 50 % of sunlight through. Growing in half-shade closely resembles the conditions of wild tea plants. Shaded tea develops more active substances and distinctive highly aromatic scent.