Creating an Authentic Tea Experience in Your Store

Many people sip tea - and then there are those who truly savor it. In Japan, tea is an intrinsic part of culture. In addition to its daily consumption, tea has been enjoyed in centuries-old ceremonies that have become deeply symbolic. You can bring an authentic tea experience to your store, paying homage to its history and savoring every last sip. 

The Role of Tea in Japanese Culture

In Kirishima, Japan, some of the world’s finest teas have been carefully grown and just as carefully tended for over 500 years. In 2005, Yuka and Kaz Morihata, the husband-and-wife founders of Morihata International, decided to share quality Japanese products - like Kirishima tea - in outlets across North America. When their clients responded with growing demand, the couple founded Rikumo as their retail representative to introduce the best products from Japanese artisans, including tea.

Offering Retail Experiences

At our concept store, Rikumo, customers can take advantage of an in-store tea-tasting experience that will allow them to sample teas before deciding which varietal they prefer to buy. When a prospective customer comes into the store, they are offered a choice of several green and black teas, which serves as a great introduction to the world of premium Japanese tea.

Purified Water for the Best Preparation

The method you use for preparing tea can make all the difference in its taste. At Morihata, we use purified water to bring out the purity of the tea flavor. We have found the ideal way to allow the tea to display its authentic flavor is by using a water purifier. The Morihata binchotan charcoal water purifier allows the tea’s authentic flavor to emerge as the dominant taste.

Unique Process, Exquisite Taste

For sampling teas in our stores, Rikumo staff use containers with a filter and add a few generous spoonfuls of tea with purified charcoal-filtered water. This infusion method allows the teas to be ready in several hours when they are kept in the refrigerator. When staff remove the filter in the morning, the tea will stay at its best flavor level for several days.

Differences in Temperature and Flavor

Hot green tea can be a soothing experience, but the taste can change if the correct temperature is not used. For example, a water temperature higher than the recommended range of 93C – 60C will create a bitter aftertaste. To allow for the best hot green tea taste, stick with the recommended temperature range and you’ll even be able to infuse the tea several times.

Experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony

To truly appreciate the essence of tea, the Morihatas offer clients an opportunity to take the appreciation they develop from tasting a cup of their tea and discover how the traditional Japanese tea ceremony can bring them a new transformative encounter with tea. Those interested can attend Rikumo’s monthly Art of Tea workshop. This experience is the ideal experience for those who are fascinated by tea and want to learn more about it.

Enjoy Our Finest Bulk Teas

To offer your clients a similar tea-sampling experience, you must order some bulk teas. Morihata allows you to sample some of the bulk loose-leaf green tea from Kirishima. This unique brew offers its tasters a mild tea with notes of cucumber and an inviting floral aftertaste. If you want to give your clients another choice, try the bulk organic tea: a black loose-leaf tea with a mellow flavor and an astringent finish.