FROM FARM TO CUP
Harashima Estate
Masashi-san, the head of the estate, represents the third generation of the Harashima family as tea farmers, tending to tea fields first planted by his grandfather and processing all his teas himself.
Miyazaki Estate
Miyazaki estate was founded in the 1930s as a family farm producing rice and green tea. When Akira-san, the present head of the estate and a good friend of RAVE, took over the family business, all tea had already been growing without exposure to agricultural chemicals for more than a decade.
Watanabe Estate
They say it rains 35 days a month on Yakushima island, and that unique climate turns out to be great for tea plants! Since most part of the island is designated as a National park, the farming land is quite limited. Watanabe estate is the oldest certified organic tea producer on the island, and they have been truly committed to sustainable & natural farming ever since the estate's foundation - not chasing quantity, but focusing on quality instead.
Masui Estate
Masui family has been growing tea in Kawane area for more than 150 years, but it's Etsuro-san, the current head of the family, that brought unique approach to the estate. His concept is very close to RAVE's - he considers tea to be similiar to wine, and employs his growing & tea-making skills to fully express each varietal's potential. He is also the pioneer of GABA tea manufacturing, perfecting his craft for almost 40 years - from the very first days the technology to enrich tea with GABA was discovered.
