Japanese Black Tea in Tea Bags (Wakōcha) and a Gentle Earl Grey Twist

January 6, 2026

Wakōcha simply means Japanese black tea: black tea made in Japan. It’s fully oxidized like other black teas, but the cup often feels mellower, cleaner, less tannic than what many people expect from “classic” breakfast-style blends.

If you like black tea, but you don’t like bitterness, wakōcha is a quiet upgrade.

Why this tea comes from Chiran (Kagoshima)

Both of these tea-bag products come from Chiran (Kagoshima Prefecture) an area widely associated with Japanese tea production and the “Chiran tea” name.

Kagoshima is also known for growing multiple tea cultivars (not just one dominant variety), which helps explain why teas from the region can feel surprisingly nuanced even when they’re simple to brew.

Two tea bags, two moods

1) Japanese Black Tea (wakōcha)

This is the pure version: no added aroma, just Japanese black tea. What I notice with wakōcha is how it can be warm without getting heavy—more “rounded” than “bold.”

Good for

mornings when you want focus, not intensity
people who normally add milk “just to survive the tannins”
black tea with food (it doesn’t dominate the table)

2) Japanese Earl Grey

Earl Grey is simply black tea flavoured with bergamot oil (or bergamot flavouring).

The nice thing about doing this on a wakōcha base is that bergamot can stay bright and citrusy without the base tea getting sharp. If you’ve ever loved the idea of Earl Grey but disliked the harsh finish, this style tends to land better.

Good for

afternoons
“I want Earl Grey, but not the aggressive kind”
a cleaner, more aromatic cup

How to brew (simple and repeatable)

Tea bags are easy method I use when I want the same cup every time:

1 tea bag per 200–250 ml water
Water: 85–90°C (hot, not violently boiling)
Time: 2–3 minutes to start
Remove the bag; don’t treat it like a soup stock.

Tiny adjustments

Want more body? Add 30–60 seconds.
Want it softer? Shorten the steep.
If it tastes dry or rough: you overdid time, not quality.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Japanese Black Tea (wakōcha) if you want:

clean, calm black tea
“everyday black tea” that doesn’t feel heavy

Choose Japanese Earl Grey if you want:

bergamot brightness
a more aromatic cup with a gentle base

Many people keep both: plain for mornings, Earl Grey for afternoons.

FAQ

Is wakōcha caffeinated?
Yes. Like other black teas, it naturally contains caffeine. (If you’re sensitive, brew a lighter cup with a shorter steep.)

What makes black tea “black”?
It’s the processing: black tea is fully oxidized, which deepens colour and flavour.

What is bergamot (in Earl Grey)?
A highly aromatic citrus, most famously used to scent Earl Grey.