Seikoen Tea Factory: Itoigawa Batabatacha Traditional Herbal Blend

Batabata-cha also known as furicha is a rare traditional folk tea drank in the areas of Niigata & Toyama prefectures. 

50g | 10g

Batabatacha is said to have originated in Toyama prefecture. This particular tea is made in Itoigawa, Niigata prefecture. It is a blend of hojicha, roasted soybeans, tea flowers and kawara ketsumei. As a"furicha" this is traditionally whisked, similarly to matcha, using a specially shaped long chasen. The name "batabata" comes from the sound the tea makes when it is whisked. 

Steeping notes: 5g | 400ml | 95°C | 5mins

To make Seikoen batabatacha in the traditional way they advise to boil the blended tea in water. Add a pinch of salt and whip the drink with the long chasen. This will leave a foam on the top of the tea bowl. 

• Producer: Seikoen Tea Factory (tea finishing factory)
• Ingredients: kawara ketsumei (Chamaecrista nomame), roasted green tea (hojicha), roasted soybeans, tea flowers (camellia sinensis flowers)
• Region: Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture

About the producer: One of the few tea factories based in Northern Japan, Seikoen specialises in the use of a traditional cooling room, a yukimuro or literally "snow room", to age tea leaves and increase their umami flavour content. 

Short video on making Batabatacha from Itoigawa