Just like last year, we’ve gradually begun the bancha harvest.
In last year’s update, I wrote about how “the demand for Kyoto tea is growing…” — and this year, it truly exploded, even making headlines in the news.
It feels like, little by little, agriculture is changing into something more rewarding, much like the rise in demand for rice as well. There’s a growing sense that farming in Japan can once again be a way to make a stable living.
I believe this is a positive change — one that ensures the next generation can continue to enjoy and sustain domestic products. That said, the reality is that there are still very few farmers actively calling out to say “please take over the farm.”