Hiroshima Zairai Hama-cha - Native Bancha Dried At Beach by TEA FACTORY GEN 30g/1.06 oz

Since its founding in 1972, TEA FACTORY GEN is a tea atelier based in the Sera Highlands of Hiroshima, Japan.
They honor nature and tradition, producing tea through a fully integrated process using no chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Hiroshima native(zairai) tea

"Native tea" is tea planted and grown from seeds, and is a valuable tea that is said to account for only 3% of all tea in circulation.

Their native tea is 60 to 70 years old. The roots extend more than 2 meters deep into the ground, providing nutrients from the ground that are rich in minerals.

Additionally, because it is grown without fertilizers or pesticides, the tea may lack the concentrated umami typically prized in gyokuro.

However, it offers something even more essential: the natural sweetness of the leaf, a clean, refreshing flavor, and the untamed vitality of the land itself.

Hiroshima Zairai Hama-cha (Tenpiboshi Bancha)

This unique bancha is made from zairai (native) tea plants that are approximately 70 years old, grown without fertilizers or pesticides in a tea field. After harvesting, the leaves are sun-dried(Tenpiboshi) for about 7 to 10 days, exposed to the sea breeze from Onomichi.
The drying process relies almost entirely on natural forces—gentle sunlight and the warm, salty air of the Seto Inland Sea. During this stage, the tea undergoes a light fermentation. It is then lightly roasted to finish, preserving its green, mineral-rich character.
This tea could only be made in a calm and sunny region like the Setouchi area, where there is little wind and many clear days.
It offers a one-of-a-kind flavor profile: the toasty aroma of roasted beans, a subtle peach-like fragrance and lingering finish from the fermentation, and a faint salinity carried by the sea air.
With naturally low caffeine, it’s suitable for children and a great alternative to barley tea—especially as a refreshing drink in summer.

Tasting Notes
Natural Sweetness: ★★★
Aroma: ★★☆
Astringency: ★☆☆
Savoriness (Saltiness): ★★☆
Finish: ★★★

Recommend Way
How to Brew?

Use Teabag
Use one teabag per 200ml of boiling water (100°C).
Steep for 30 seconds.
You can re-steep with freshly boiled water for a second cup.

For Summer
For hot summer days, try it on the rocks—brew with hot water and pour it over a glass full of ice.
Alternatively, enjoy it cold-brewed: add 2 teabags to 500ml of water and let it steep for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.