CHIDORI

Description First harvest 2026 CHIDORI is the final addition of our collection of 2026 limited-edition of premium organic koucha made by Harashima san in Yame. Only 40 bags of 30g were made. On the nose, CHIDORI is a delightful bouquet. Reminiscent of white flowers, cranberries, and oranges, with some reviewers suggesting mango and almond notes. Although its Assam lineage suggests a tart astringency, CHIDORI instead creates a luscious mouthwatering sensation without any of the sharpness one might expect. The aftertaste is barely herbaceous, with a powerful sweetness and refreshing feeling. Once finished, a winter cookie fragrance lingers. CHIDORI is unusual, with a fullness that is not accompanied by richness, per say--that can be found in our other, more buttery koucha offerings from Chiyonoen--but instead is deeply refreshing. This outstanding koucha is made from the exquisite Izumi cultivar, one of the rarest cultivars in Japan, which yields a delicate, floral and light-bodied liquor, which is typically amber, clear, and bright, in short, consistent with its name, "fountain." Harashima san's koucha originates from tea leaves cultivated in the Yame mountains at 500 meters elevation, where cool mountain air and mineral-rich soil develop the tea's distinctive character. Each year, the master producer creates limited experimental batches, yielding only a handful of kilograms of each release. This represents a rare opportunity to experience a small-batch, artisanal koucha crafted with precision and care. IKKYU is honored to share Harashima san's work with Japanese koucha enthusiasts worldwide. We hope you will enjoy this tea as much as we did so that we may ask Harashima san to make it again next year !