{"title":"DARK","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-seo-content\" style=\"margin-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; padding-top: 35px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is Dark Tea?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark tea is one of the most unique and revered categories in the world of tea, defined by a special process called post-fermentation. Unlike other teas where processing stops after heat-fixing and drying, dark teas are created by introducing beneficial microbes to the leaves and allowing them to age and ferment over time—much like a fine wine or artisanal cheese. This living transformation smooths out any bitterness, developing incredibly deep, complex, and mellow flavor profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe World of Post-Fermented Tea: Earthy, Mellow \u0026amp; Contemplative\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRooted in rare Japanese post-fermented heritage teas and expanding to aged traditions around the world, our collection celebrates the profound depth of microbially aged tea:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Post-Fermented Teas (e.g., Awa Bancha):\u003c\/strong\u003e Crafted through traditional anaerobic lactic acid fermentation, producing a pleasantly tart, clean, and refreshing cup that is deeply comforting to the digestive system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAged \u0026amp; Earthy Micro-Batches:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally or aerobically post-fermented teas that feature rich notes of damp forest floor, sweet wood, warm spices, and a silky, lingering mouthfeel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth \u0026amp; Mellow Infusions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Time-honored processing strips away astringency, leaving a dark, amber-hued liquor that grows richer with every steeping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSingle-Origin Terroir \u0026amp; Musical Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Prelude Tea, we curate single-origin dark teas from small, dedicated farms and heritage producers. Each micro-batch in our collection is paired with a custom-crafted original piano composition tailored to its specific aging notes, aroma, and mouthfeel—inviting you to pause and experience a truly contemplative brewing ritual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes Dark Tea Contain Caffeine?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally, dark tea contains moderate to low levels of caffeine compared to fresh green or fully oxidized black teas. The microbial fermentation process and leaf maturity naturally soften its stimulating effects, while producing compounds that promote digestive health, making it an exceptionally grounding, digestive-friendly brew enjoyed any time of day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Steep Single-Origin Dark Tea\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePost-fermented tea leaves are remarkably sturdy and thrive with high water temperatures (95°C–100°C) to fully coax out their deep, woody aromatics and layered sweetness. Dark tea can be steeped multiple times, revealing a new layer of its character with each pour. Explore our handcrafted \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/preludetea.jp\/collections\/teaware\"\u003eteaware accessories\u003c\/a\u003e or visit our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/preludetea.jp\/pages\/brewing-instructions\"\u003eTea Brewing Guide\u003c\/a\u003e for exact leaf-to-water ratios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"heart-and-hearth","title":"HEART AND HEARTH - Mimasaka Bancha","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn honest, earthy brew with a rustic charm and a gently warming character. A perfect daily tea from Okayama, evoking the comfort of a seat by the hearth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis traditional Mimasaka bancha is a true taste of a disappearing craft. While once a common daily drink in the region, this specific sun-dried, pan-fired style is now produced by only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003etwo farming families\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in all of Japan. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prelude Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40855664295971,"sku":"TBJO-HH-20","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40855664328739,"sku":"TBJO-HH-50","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"80g","offer_id":40855664361507,"sku":"TBJO-HH-80","price":3400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g","offer_id":40855664394275,"sku":"TBJO-HH-200","price":7200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/files\/tea-dark-HH-01n.jpg?v=1763108317"},{"product_id":"wanderers-brew","title":"WANDERER'S BREW - Zairai Hama-cha","description":"\u003cp\u003eA taste of wild Japan, with savory, sun-dried notes of roasted grain and sea air. A rustic and soulful tea crafted from native Zairai plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25\"\u003eThe term \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25\"\u003eZairai (在来)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25 citation-end-25\"\u003e refers to Japan's original, native tea bushes.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-24 citation-end-24\"\u003eUnlike modern cultivars which are propagated from cuttings as clones, Zairai plants grow from seed, meaning every single bush is genetically unique.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This diversity creates a wonderfully complex and soulful cup with a character that cannot be replicated—a true, untamed taste of the Hiroshima terroir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prelude Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40855665279011,"sku":"TBJH-WB-20","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40855665311779,"sku":"TBJH-WB-50","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"80g","offer_id":40855665344547,"sku":"TBJH-WB-80","price":6000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/files\/tea-dark-WB-01n_abd408aa-e489-45ff-b4b3-2251171a36f1.jpg?v=1763368302"},{"product_id":"alchemists-dark","title":"ALCHEMIST'S DARK - Koji Kurocha","description":"\u003cp\u003eA mysterious transformation of flavour, yielding earthy, subtly tart, and sweetly complex notes. This rare dark tea is fermented with the same koji used for sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe use of koji (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ccode\u003e麹\u003c\/code\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), Japan's \"national mold,\" is the secret to this tea's alchemy. For centuries, this powerful culture has been the cornerstone of Japanese culinary arts, transforming simple rice into sake and soybeans into miso. In this rare tea, the very same process unlocks a profound depth and a smooth, mellow character, creating a cup that is both uniquely Japanese and deeply comforting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prelude Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40855666229283,"sku":"TDJS-AD-20","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40855666262051,"sku":"TDJS-AD-50","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":40855666294819,"sku":"TDJS-AD-100","price":6000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g","offer_id":40855666327587,"sku":"TDJS-AD-250","price":14000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/files\/tea-dark-AD-03n.jpg?v=1763104128"},{"product_id":"the-monks-funk","title":"THE MONK'S FUNK - Kamikatsu Awa Bancha","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn ancient, funky rhythm of lactic sourness and surprising refreshment, prized for its unique character. A rare fermented tea from the mountains of Tokushima.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-28\"\u003eLocal legend in Tokushima attributes the origins of this unique tea-making method to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-28\"\u003eKobo Daishi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-28 citation-end-28\"\u003e (the monk Kukai), one of the most revered figures in Japanese Buddhism.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e It is said that he introduced the process to the villagers for its health benefits. This history is steeped into every cup, offering a taste of a folk tradition that has been passed down in these mountains for centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prelude Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40855666425891,"sku":"TDJT-MF-20","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"40g","offer_id":40855666458659,"sku":"TDJT-MF-40","price":3400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"80g","offer_id":40855666491427,"sku":"TDJT-MF-80","price":6400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/files\/tea-dark-MF-07n.jpg?v=1763202851"},{"product_id":"fermented-fugue","title":"FERMENTED FUGUE - Goishicha","description":"\u003cp\u003eA complex fugue of fruity acidity and earthy sweetness, born from a rare two-stage fermentation method preserved for centuries by the Otoyo Goishicha Cooperative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe creation of Goishicha is a masterful two-part process. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-38 citation-end-38\"\u003eFirst, the steamed tea leaves undergo an aerobic fermentation with a special mold, which develops their deep, earthy base notes.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-37 citation-end-37\"\u003eNext, the leaves are packed into barrels, pickled, and fermented a second time with lactic acid bacteria.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This anaerobic stage creates the tea's signature fruity acidity and profound complexity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-36 citation-end-36\"\u003eThe final tea is then cut into small squares, resembling the black stones from the game of \"Go,\" from which it gets its name.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prelude Tea Company","offers":[{"title":"20g","offer_id":40855666622499,"sku":"TDJK-FF-20","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"50g","offer_id":40855666655267,"sku":"TDJK-FF-50","price":4400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g","offer_id":40855666688035,"sku":"TDJK-FF-100","price":8300.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/files\/tea-dark-FF-10n_6c4204bc-5599-4286-b12a-9b9693826652.jpg?v=1763106722"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/9769\/4755\/collections\/tea-dark-FF-08.jpg?v=1763172660","url":"https:\/\/preludetea.jp\/collections\/dark.oembed","provider":"Prelude Tea Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}