[Horaido Tea Shop]
Located in the Teramachi Kyogoku shopping district in Kyoto, Horaido Tea Shop is the birthplace of genmaicha (brown rice tea). The genmaicha here is called “Horaicha” after the name of the shop.
Founded in 1803, Horaido Tea Shop is a long-established shop specializing in Uji tea with a history of over 200 years. The store's name comes from “Mount Horai,” where a hermit lived in an old Chinese tale, and was named with the hope that “drinking Horaido Tea Shop tea will help you live a long life.” Incidentally, “Uji tea” refers to tea produced in the rich natural environment of Uji City and surrounding towns in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, and in recent years, it is also produced in the Chutan region of northern Kyoto Prefecture. Matcha, gyokuro, sencha, bancha, and all other types of green tea are produced, and all are known for their high quality.
Genmaicha is a tea made by blending tea leaves with roasted rice and drinking it with its aroma. Inspired by the rich aroma of yuto (hot water poured over rice) served during kaiseki meals at chaji (formal tea gatherings) in the Taisho era, Horaido Tea Shop created this original blend. Bancha is a generic term for tea that can be brewed and guzzled with boiling water, and at Horaido Tea Shop, hojicha and genmaicha are also considered as a type of bancha. Genmaicha is low in caffeine due to the inclusion of rice and the reduced amount of tea used, making it safe for everyone from children to the elderly to drink. It is easy to drink, goes well with rice, and is also useful as a tea to drink before bedtime to take a break.
I came to know about Houraido when I heard that my friend visits there every time she comes to Kyoto to buy souvenirs, and I had no idea that there was a tea shop where genmaicha was born so close to the Sanjo Showroom. Recently, I have been brewing genmaicha in a teapot after meals and enjoying its rich aroma. If you buy tea at Horaido Tea Shop, please stop by the Sanjo Showroom.
Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html
Horaido Tea Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wBfxDYCZHSUFggs16
References
https://www.kyoto-teramachi.or.jp/horaido/
https://www.kyotokan.jp/read/read-5769/
https://rurubu.jp/andmore/spot/80026390
