Tea leaves are a vital crop, and they require dedicated plantations as well as a significant amount of post-harvest processing. Tea plants, like fruit trees, can continue to produce fresh leaves for generations. They are densely grown and kept cropped to roughly waist height. The tea harvest occurs on a biweekly basis throughout the growing season, requiring an ongoing effort from a large workforce. Tea must be processed near the farm, as the leaves begin to degrade unless quickly treated after harvest.
An Index of Teas
Here is a list of all different types of tea that you might encounter in case your samurai wants to share a knowledgeable conversation about the teas of the Empire.
An Index of Teas
Here is a list of all different types of tea that you might encounter in case your samurai wants to share a knowledgeable conversation about the teas of the Empire.
- Jade Petal Tea - One of the only medicines known to combat the Taint, jade petal tea is not a true tea, but instead a tincture made from rice shōchū and a special flower known as a jade lotus. These flowers are grown in Crab lands using water infused with jade powder, resulting in edible petals containing the jade’s spiritual properties. Kuni Wardens carefully control production and distribution of the tea and maintain records of all in the Emerald Empire to whom they provide it to. This is done both to monitor its effects on those suffering from the Taint and to ensure there are no Tainted individuals outside of their records. There are frequent attempts to steal tea supplies, and the Kuni are ruthless in tracking down and punishing anyone caught with illicit quantities.
- Crystal Blossom Tea - From the Dragon Lands where it thrives in their high mountains, but only close to where the trees give way to the perpetual snows.
- Pearl Dew of the Fourth Bridge - A Rare and Valuable Crane Tea, much sought after.
- Golden Needle - A Phoenix blend of tea, scented with pine, citrus, and sun-roasted leaves.
- Sharp Returns - Comes only from a plant growing in the garden surrounding the teahouse The Field of Sharp Returns in the Karada District of the Ekohikei in Otosan Uchi. It is unique, almost legendary in quality.
- Kaori Tea - An unusually restorative tea from the Kaori tea farm in the Uebe Marshes in the Anshin Province of Daidoji lands.
- Barley Tea - Cheap tea, drunk by peasants, minor clan samurai, and those without the good taste to drink anything more worthwhile.
- Jewel Dew and Hotei’s Smile - Varieties of long tea that can be tied together to create blooming tea bulbs
- Blooming Teas - Balls of dried tea leaves and flowers, tied together in such a way that, when hot water is added, the tea leaves spread to expose the inner flowers, such as purple dried globe amaranth, in a beautiful display. The bulbs were first created by the Shinjo and are used for special occasions in the Unicorn lands, but the Doji have learned and appreciate the practice, even if it does not replace the proper tea ceremony
- Quiet Wind Tea - A good tea from Kaiu lands, grown in the sprawling tea farms of Quiet Wind Plain.
- Golden Pearls Blend Tea - A rare blend of tea, Seppun Ishikawa's favored blend.
- Moonlit Snow Tea - A rare and excellent blend of tea served in Otosan Uchi
