Wazuka – the heart of matcha in Japan

Wazuka, a mountainous area near Kyoto, is considered the heart of Japanese matcha. Here, the tea bushes grow high in the mountains, where the challenging growing conditions contribute to the unique quality of the tea. Because the tea bush grows at night, the leaves develop more slowly in the cool altitude, giving a more concentrated aroma and flavor. The chill is also enhanced by the dense morning fog that is common in the region. In Japan, people talk about high, middle and low grown tea – and tea from high-altitude areas such as Wazuka and Uji is considered particularly exclusive. Unlike flatter areas such as Kagoshima, where tea grows faster, the slow-growing leaves in Wazuka give a matcha with depth and complexity.