Tea and Stories from Nagasaki

We are thrilled to welcome the tea expert and former colleague Marjolein Raijmakers back to Postcard Teas. Marjolein is from Ikedoki Tea and will be bringing delicious tea and stories from Nagasaki.

Ikedoki Tea is a small project based in Higashisonogi, Nagasaki that aims to highlight the teas and stories of tea producers within this somewhat forgotten tea region. Nagasaki only produces about 1% of Japan’s tea, with the main speciality being tamaryokucha: a little known Japanese green tea slightly different from sencha. She works closely with local tea producers as well as with local government to help support Nagasaki tea industry as a whole. Whilst Nagasaki is fairly unknown as tea region, it plays a pivotal role within the history of tea. When tea arrived from China in the 12th century, it first passed through Nagasaki before spreading eastwards to more famous regions like Uji. Additionally, the first recorded tea to reach Europe in 1610 was brought by Dutch merchants trading from Nagasaki; that first tea was likely produced in Nagasaki or neighbouring Saga (which were one region at the time). With Nagasaki being the sole connection point to the outside world during the 200 years of isolation of Japan, there’s a rich history connected to trade and cultural exchange.

Marjolein will be bringing tea from several producers across different tea regions within Nagasaki: from Sonogi, the tea capital of Nagasaki, from volcanic Unzen, from the hills of Saza, to the new (and only) tea producer on Tsushima Island. We will taste tamaryokucha, kamairicha, kōcha and more.

Marjolein has been living in Nagasaki for almost 3 years, slowly exploring the different tea regions within the prefecture and is excited to come to Postcard Teas to share about her experiences, tell the stories of Nagasaki tea and share some of the tea gems she’s discovered so far.