ShiZen Tea
Yuzu WAKOCHA - Premium Organic black tea "Wakocha" with organic yuzu from Shizuoka Kawane - 50g
Yuzu WAKOCHA - Premium Organic black tea "Wakocha" with organic yuzu from Shizuoka Kawane - 50g
Couldn't load pickup availability
A fragrant yuzu wakocha from Kawane, Shizuoka.
Fragrant yuzu peel leads the aroma, while Kawane wakocha gives the cup a smooth Japanese black-tea base.
What the cup is like
Smooth Japanese black tea with fragrant yuzu peel and a clean citrus finish.
First cup
Use hotter water for more citrus aroma, or shorten the steep slightly for a lighter cup.
A Fragrant Yuzu Wakocha from Kawane, Shizuoka
This Japanese black tea — known in Japanese as wakocha — comes from Taruwakien, a family-run tea garden in Kawane, Shizuoka, along the upper Oi River. Made from Yabukita leaves co-fermented with bright yuzu peel from the start, it brews hot into a fragrant cup: citrus aroma over a mild, naturally sweet wakocha base.
Wakocha — Japanese-style black tea — is still a small category in Japan, accounting for only a couple of percent of the country’s total tea output. Among that small category, the Taruwakien approach of fermenting the tea leaves and yuzu peel together gives this cup a citrus character that is woven into the wakocha base from the start of fermentation.
We like this tea hot, in a small pot, paired with afternoon sweets or after a meal. The yuzu peel sits clearly on the nose, while the wakocha base stays gentle — a mild, gently sweet black tea with soft tannins and a clean citrus finish that suits everyday drinking.
New to Japanese black tea? Our short guide explains how wakocha differs from green tea and from overseas black teas: What is wakocha?
Who This Tea Is For
- For people who want a fragrant, citrus-forward Japanese black tea
- For black-tea drinkers who prefer a milder, gentler cup over a strong, tannic one
- For green-tea drinkers looking for an occasional change of pace that still feels distinctly Japanese
- For afternoon and after-meal hot brewing, with or without a small sweet
- For comparing this tea with nearby ShiZen Tea cups
What Makes This Tea Different
- Co-fermented with yuzu peel from the start: Unlike typical flavored teas where fruit is added after production, this tea is fermented together with yuzu peel. The result is a more integrated citrus character that sits clearly on the nose without overpowering the tea base.
- Kawane wakocha character: Kawane is a mountain tea district in Shizuoka along the upper Oi River. The Kawane terroir gives this wakocha a mild, gently sweet character with soft tannins and a clean finish.
- Yabukita cultivar: Yabukita is Japan’s classic sencha cultivar. When used as a wakocha base it produces a soft, naturally sweet cup that carries the yuzu aroma well.
- Taruwakien craftsmanship: Taruwakien is a family-run tea garden in Kawane with over thirty years of tea-farming experience. This Yuzu Wakocha is one of their signature small-batch teas.
How to Brew Yuzu Wakocha
Hot Brew (recommended)
- Tea: 3g
- Water: 150ml / 5 fl oz
- Temperature: 95 C / 203 F
- Time: 3 minutes
Wakocha brews hot. At 95 C / 203 F, the yuzu opens clearly while the wakocha base stays mild and naturally sweet. The cup develops over 3 minutes without going harsh.
Second Infusion
- Water: 90-95 C / 194-203 F
- Time: About 60 to 90 seconds
Iced Wakocha
- Tea: 4g
- Hot water: 150ml / 5 fl oz, then pour over ice to chill
- Time: 2 minutes hot, then ice
For an iced cup in warm weather, brew strong hot first, then pour over plenty of ice. The yuzu aroma stays bright; the cup turns into a refreshing citrus-leaning iced tea.
Is This Tea Organic?
Not as a finished tea. The tea leaf we use is certified organic through both the grower and the tea factory, and the yuzu itself is certified organic fruit. To label the finished blend as organic, every later step also has to be certified for organic handling, including the fruit-processing and packaging facilities. Because the yuzu processing facility is not certified for organic handling, we do not present this finished Yuzu Wakocha as organic.
Teas to Try Alongside This One
Yuzu Wakocha is a fragrant, citrus-led change of pace. These green-tea and matcha companions give clear contrasts beside it.
- Honoka Wakocha: the other end of the wakocha range — a floral, perfume-like single-cultivar wakocha from Izumi (Sashima, Ibaraki). Side by side, the two show how broad Japanese black tea can be.
- Organic Sencha: for a clean, refreshing everyday Japanese green tea to alternate with the wakocha through the day.
- Organic Matcha Superior: for a vivid whisked green tea contrast when you want a clean, umami-led cup beside citrus wakocha.
- Organic Genmaicha with Matcha: for a warmer, roasted-rice green tea with matcha color — a softer, meal-friendly contrast to the bright yuzu aroma.
Choosing a Few Teas
This tea ships directly from Japan. If you are choosing a few teas together, this Yuzu Wakocha pairs naturally with a daily sencha and a matcha to taste the range of Japanese tea side by side.
Comparison FAQ
Is this tea organic?
Not as a finished tea. The tea leaf we use is certified organic through both the grower and the tea factory, and the yuzu itself is certified organic fruit. To label the finished blend as organic, every later step also has to be certified for organic handling, including the fruit-processing and packaging facilities. Because the yuzu processing facility is not certified for organic handling, we do not present this finished Yuzu Wakocha as organic.
How is this different from Honoka Wakocha?
Honoka is also a Japanese black tea, but a very different cup. Honoka is a single-cultivar wakocha from Izumi — a rare cultivar revived by Yoshida Chaen in Sashima — with a floral, perfume-like aroma and very soft tannins. This Yuzu Wakocha is a Yabukita-based wakocha co-fermented with yuzu peel — a bright citrus character over a mild base. Same category, non-overlapping appeal: choose Honoka for floral and cultivar character, Yuzu for citrus brightness.
How is this different from Organic Sencha?
Organic Sencha is a refreshing everyday Japanese green tea from Kawane — light, clean, and lower in tannin. This Yuzu Wakocha is a Japanese black tea with bright yuzu peel co-fermented in; it is fragrant and citrus-forward, brewed hotter, and has a fuller body than the sencha.
How is this different from Okumidori with Matcha?
Okumidori with Matcha is a loose-leaf green tea coated with matcha — vivid green color, fuller body, no citrus. This Yuzu Wakocha is a black tea with yuzu peel — citrus aroma, gentle body, and a clean wakocha base. They sit in different parts of the day rather than competing.
Is this a flavored tea?
Not in the usual sense. Typical flavored teas add fruit or oils after the tea is finished. This Yuzu Wakocha is co-fermented with yuzu peel from the start, so the citrus is integrated into the cup rather than sitting on top.
Can I cold brew this tea?
Cold brew is possible, but this wakocha rewards hot brewing more clearly — the yuzu aroma opens up best in hot water. For a chilled cup, brew strong and hot first (4g in 150ml at 90-95 C for 2 minutes), then pour over plenty of ice.
FAQ
Q. How soon will my order be shipped?
A. We typically ship orders within 1-3 business days. In the rare event that an item is out of stock, it may take longer. If that happens, we will contact you directly to discuss the options.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. If there is a quality issue, damage, defect, or wrong item, please contact us within 30 days so we can arrange a refund or replacement. Unopened tea in its original factory-sealed package and unused tea ware can be returned within 14 days. Opened tea cannot be returned for food-safety reasons. Orders can be cancelled before shipment. Please see our Refund Policy for the full terms.
Q. Is this tea organic?
A. This tea is not certified organic. It is produced in Japan under Japanese agricultural standards. If you are looking specifically for certified organic tea, we recommend our Organic Sencha or Organic Matcha.
Q. Will I have to pay customs and import taxes?
A. For U.S. orders, import duties and related charges are currently handled by ShiZen Tea when applicable, so you should not normally be asked to pay customs charges on delivery. For other countries, customs duties, import taxes, or local fees may vary depending on your country's regulations and may be charged to the buyer. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure.
Q. Can I track my order?
A. Yes, tracking is available for all orders. Once your order has been shipped, you will receive a confirmation email containing your tracking number and a link to track your package.
Q. How much caffeine does this tea contain?
A. Yes. Like other Japanese green teas, this tea contains caffeine. The exact amount can vary depending on the tea amount, water temperature, and steeping time. If you are sensitive to caffeine, we recommend enjoying it earlier in the day.
Q. How should I store the tea?
A. Please store the tea in a cool, dark place, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. After opening, seal the package tightly and enjoy it as soon as possible, while the aroma is still fresh.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
A. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) as well as PayPal.