Irie chaen

Shunnosuke Irie has followed in the footsteps of his father Toshiro-san, by farming completely organic tea farms in the mountainous terrain of Kurogi Town, Yame in Fukuoka. Irie Tea Garden is located on the summit of Mount Kugiyama, about 450 meters above sea level.
For over 40 years, they have been growing tea here completely pesticide-free. Walking amongst the tea fields really showcases the thriving biodiversity of Irie Chaen. Dragonflies, ladybugs, earthworms and butterflies are in abundance and even a wasps nest can be seen looming over a field of Yabukita protecting the leaves from pesky insects, which Shunnosuke pointed out to me with pride.
Soil is also of great importance to the Irie family. The tea gardens of Irie Chaen are all natural and fertilized only with natural products sourced locally, with high sources of minerals and nutrients. This terroir shines through in Irie teas.