Amacha

Caffeine-free Herbal

Hydrangea macrophylla var. thunbergii.

Kunohe Town, Japan

甘茶

A truly unique herbal from Japan, Amacha, or “Buddha’s Tears” is a naturally sweet (nothing added) leaf of a special varietal of Hydrangea. Harvested just before flowering, the leaf captures the sweetness of this famously fragrant plant (over 200 times as sweet as sugar!) . Grown in the remote and mountainous Kunohe town of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan.

This tea can both be ceremonial in nature, as it is traditionally used in Japan for the Buddha’s birthday on April 8, and also an every day caffeine-free herbal tea. A little goes a long way, as just a few of this delicately curled full leaf will sweeten your cup. Great on its own, as well as added to other teas to sweeten them up!