Kagoshima, a tea-producing region comparable to Shizuoka

Kagoshima Prefecture is now regarded as one of Japan’s major tea-producing regions, alongside Shizuoka. The Kagoshima Tea Market, a wholesale market for tea produced within the prefecture, is located on reclaimed land along the coast near the city center. Surrounding the market are tea-related businesses known as the Tea Industry Complex. Among them is Ikeda Seicha, a tea company that has been in operation for over 70 years in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

“About 75% of Japan’s total tea production comes from Shizuoka and Kagoshima. Minamikyushu City, which produces the famous Chiran tea, boasts the highest tea production in Japan at the municipal level. The mild climate is likely ideal for tea cultivation. Kagoshima tea is characterized by its diverse varieties, including those with rich umami flavor and those with beautiful water color,” explained Kenji Ikeda of Ikeda Seicha.

There are numerous tea varieties, with over 100 types when including minor ones not registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Currently, approximately 30 varieties are cultivated in Kagoshima Prefecture, and Ikeda Seicha carefully selects and sources tea based on the characteristics of each variety.

“Tea cultivation in Kagoshima began in earnest after World War II. It further developed around 1972 when the tea market and this tea industry complex were established, fostering connections among producers. Mechanization has advanced, increasing production volumes. As the third-generation operators, we find it rewarding to enhance the brand power of ‘Kagoshima Tea’ and continue our efforts every day,” said Ikeda.

Tea Master Jyudan carefully crafts his tea.

He separates the rough tea he purchases into leaves, stems, and powder, then he roasts the tea, blends it, and delivers it to consumers as a tea of consistent taste.Mr. Ikeda has obtained the highest rank of “Jyu-dan” in tea judging and appraisal techniques at the National Tea Judging Technique Competition, which only 15 people have ever obtained in the past.This roasting and blending process produces delicious tea.

“The roasting process brings out the amino acids, catechins, and caffeine, which directly affects the taste, throat feel, mouthfeel, and color of the tea,” says Mr. Ikeda.

Mr. Nakata also tasted the Kagoshima tea brewed by Mr. Ikeda and said,

“The flavor spreads in your mouth, but the throat feel is refreshing. The aroma lingers in your mouth. It has a refined taste. Especially, the fact that it doesn’t stick in the throat is great.” He was amazed by the deliciousness.

It is said that there are five key points to a delicious tea.

The sweet aroma felt at the first sip, the aroma that spreads in the mouth, the smoothness of the throat, the refreshing sensation in the mouth, and the sweet aroma that lingers in the nose after swallowing. Ikeda-san’s tea is blended with an excellent balance of these elements.

Delivering high-quality Japanese tea to the world

Ikeda Seicha is not only committed to producing “the ultimate in delicious tea,” but also to manufacturing matcha, which is seeing increased export demand. Matcha is so popular that it is known by its English name, but providing matcha that is safe, high-quality, and acceptable to the global market requires extraordinary effort. Ikeda Seicha established a new factory dedicated to matcha in 2020, where tea leaves are finished and ground in a clean environment. By carefully processing the tea leaves using stone mills, we are able to provide matcha of the highest quality that meets international standards. Additionally, we are actively engaged in research to expand the uses and potential of tea, developing products such as “tea gargle” utilizing the antibacterial properties of catechins and a disinfectant mask spray containing green tea.

Tea is not simply grown in fields. It is the result of the wisdom and passion cultivated over generations that transforms tea leaves into delicious tea.

Ikeda-san embodies both of these qualities. We look forward to seeing him continue to expand the possibilities of Japanese tea on the global stage.

The post Mr. Kenta Ikeda of Ikeda Seicha, which delivers tea from Kagoshima to the world / Nansei, Kagoshima City first appeared on NIHONMONO.

Fukudome Small Farm handles the entire process from raising rare breeds of pigs, which are said to be the only ones available in Japan, to meat processing by craftsmen trained in Germany
, to sales
, and finally to the dinner table.

The family-run ranch pursues “happiness” that can only be created by a small family-run ranch.

Saddleback” and “Happiness Pork”, fantastic pigs

Kanoya City, located in the center of the Oosumi Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, is surrounded by the Takakuma Mountains in the north and Kinko Bay in the west. In this area, where agriculture and livestock farming thrive , taking advantage of the mild climate (an average annual temperature of 17°C) and abundant nature,Fukudome Small Farm, run by a family, is located.

Many people may associate Kagoshima with Kurobuta (black pig), but in fact, there is more to it than that. Fukudome Little Farm raises a rare breed of pig called “Saddleback. The Saddleback is a breed that originated in England and is characterized by its high fat content. In Europe, it is known as the ” phantom pig, ” and this is the only place in Japan that raises it. While ordinary pigs are shipped after about six months, Fukudome Small Farm’s Saddlebacks are raised slowly over a longer period of time (eight months). This is said to bring out the original charm of this breed. They are also raised in a clean environment with special feed and fresh groundwater. This slow and careful process produces a tender fatty meat that melts at the temperature of human skin and a delicious flavor. They also raise a breed called “Kofuku Pork,” which is a cross between a saddleback and a white pig. The Kofuku Pork has the same high quality fat and tender lean meat as the Saddleback, and it is a breed that is only raised here.

Fukudome Small Farm’s Commitment

Unlike other ranches, Fukudome Small Farm handles everything from breeding to processing and sales in a single location. This is because the company’s fundamental philosophy is to “deliver pigs raised with care by ourselves to our customers” and to “take the time and effort to raise pigs in a straightforward, careful, and painstaking manner. That is why they keep the number of pigs within their reach and raise each pig with love and care.

Meisters” highlight the deliciousness of the meat.

Fukudome Farm is a full-service farm that handles everything from sales to processing, which is also an important factor in determining the deliciousness of its products. Yoichi Fukudome, who has acquired the national ” Meister” certification, went to Germany at the age of 21 and spent 10 years learning processing techniques from various parts of Europe. Meister” is a German national certification given to those who have mastered the art. Yoichi, who is in charge of processing hams and sausages, is particular about using his own blend of spices and special mixed spices according to what he is making. The process of grinding and mixing the spices one by one with a mill grinder and knowing exactly what is in the mixture helps to bring out the best flavor of the ingredients.

You can really taste the fat, but it melts quickly and is refreshing. Nakata was also impressed by the liver pate, saying, “This liver pate is also delicious. There are things that can be done only on a small ranch. The Fukudome family has no plans to expand the size of their farm. Yoichi says, “When you do everything from raising pigs to selling them, you realize how much you appreciate pigs’ lives. The pigs grazing on the pasture looked somewhat happy.

We process and manufacture our products with a priority on making the most of 100% of the ingredients, valuing traditional German techniques and the attitude of “taking responsibility for life and using up the whole pig without discarding the fat, skin, or bones. We are proud of our meat, which is carefully and simply delicious.

The post The only farm in Japan that raises pigs of a rare breed Fukudome Small Farm/Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture first appeared on NIHONMONO.