After moderate temperatures at the beginning of spring, an extreme episode of frost affected the mountainous area of Yame (Fukuoka, northern Kyushu) in early April 2018, a few weeks before the first harvest. The village of Hoshinomura, famous throughout Japan for making the gyokuro of the country, was seriously affected.
Some producers, such as IKKYU partner Takaki san lost entire fields overnight, the leaves 'burnt' by frost. Thankfully, the whole production wasn't lost. As dependent on nature as every farmer around the globe, the producers take this kind of hardships and setbacks in stride and will work even harder to recover. Still, more than ever, they will appreciate the support and friendship of green tea lovers from all around the world.
