“Shiso-Infused Kenko Bancha” is a fragrant Japanese tea created by Ocha no Sankouen, a specialty Japanese tea shop in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It combines Izumo Bancha with tea made from red shiso, bringing together the roasted aroma of bancha and the fresh, distinctive fragrance of red shiso in a refreshing and easy-to-drink blend.
The tea uses Izumo Bancha, made by roasting tea leaves harvested in autumn until they develop a fragrant, toasty character. It is blended with Shiso Tea, made from red shiso carefully grown by farmers in Matsue City and dried for use as tea.
The base of the blend is Izumo Bancha, made from autumn-harvested tea leaves that are carefully roasted to bring out their rich aroma. Its clean, refreshing character and gentle roasted flavor provide a mellow foundation for the distinctive fragrance of shiso.
Unlike teas with a rich and intense flavor, bancha is light and easy to enjoy. It pairs naturally with meals and is also ideal for relaxing with a cup when you want to take a quiet break during the day.
The other key ingredient is red shiso grown by farmers in Matsue City. The carefully cultivated leaves are dried and prepared as shiso tea before being blended with the Izumo Bancha.
The distinctive fresh and aromatic character of shiso creates an interesting contrast with the mellow roasted flavor of bancha. With each sip, the gentle toastiness of the tea and the refreshing fragrance of shiso spread across the palate, making it an enjoyable choice for a relaxed tea break.
Shiso is a fragrant herb that has been part of Japanese food culture for centuries. Its distinctive refreshing aroma makes it useful not only as a culinary herb but also as an ingredient in tea.
Shiso-Infused Kenko Bancha allows you to appreciate this characteristic aroma together with roasted bancha. Taking time to enjoy its fragrance as you drink makes an ordinary tea break feel especially relaxing.
Shiso-Infused Kenko Bancha can be enjoyed either hot or cold depending on the season. In winter, brew it with hot water and enjoy it as a fragrant shiso bancha. The warm tea is ideal for slowly appreciating the rich aroma of both the roasted tea and shiso on a cold day.
In summer, it can be chilled and enjoyed as an easy-drinking everyday beverage, much like mugicha, or roasted barley tea. Its clean and refreshing character makes it particularly pleasant on warm days.
At Ocha no Sankouen, carefully cultivated tea leaves are selected with an emphasis on bringing out the individual qualities of each ingredient.
The fragrant Izumo Bancha and aromatic red shiso from Matsue have distinctly different characteristics. Combining them creates a blend that is approachable and refreshing while still offering a unique local character.
“Shiso-Infused Kenko Bancha” is a fragrant local tea made by combining Izumo Bancha with red shiso grown in Matsue. Its roasted tea aroma and refreshing shiso fragrance make it easy to enjoy throughout the year.
It is equally suited to a quiet winter moment with a warm cup or a refreshing summer break with chilled tea. Enjoy Shiso-Infused Kenko Bancha as a simple way to experience Shimane’s local ingredients and the care that goes into its tea culture.