Today we’d like to introduce you to Suil Hong.
Hi Suil, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I founded NODAKA to share my passion with the world. NODAKA means calm and peaceful in Japanese. We provide high-quality organic Japanese green tea directly from Japan’s organic tea farms. I was born and raised in Tokyo but lived in New York for several years working in international business. A few years ago, exhausted after work, I sat down to drink some green tea I had bought there. I realized it was quite different from what I was used to. I soon discovered that some green tea there was not made with leaves from Japan, despite being labeled “Japanese Green Tea.” I thought that was odd. Why is this ‘Japanese’ green tea not from Japan?” Then, I set off on a journey to discover why this is.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
During my journey, I met dozens of tea farmers and discovered what was happening at tea farms in Japan. One of the first things I learned is that 95% of tea grown in Japan stays in Japan, with only 5% sold in other countries. Also, only 3% of tea grown in Japan is certified as organic. Another problem I discovered was that the population of tea producers needed to grow faster. The average farmer is over 60, they cannot speak English, and many farmers need access to the Internet. They need to be made aware that green tea is well-received overseas. Plastic Bottled green tea has become increasingly popular for its ease and convenience. However, with huge purchasing power and a focus on profits, farmers are forced to reduce their tea prices every year. The downtrend can be associated with the shift in focus to quantity over quality. These facts are more than hard on the foreign green tea lovers who are missing out on the bulk of the country’s amazing leaves. Japanese Tea Farms are fading away, partly because they cannot sell their products abroad. I was shocked by this information and felt empowered to turn things around. I founded NODAKA to bring these fine products to the rest of the world.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about THE NODAKA?
Our approach is to bring traditional Japanese green tea into a modern perspective and the contemporary wellness spotlight. We reinvent the way green tea is consumed with a radically simple approach, preparing green tea in a minimalist way for an excellent tasting experience. Because most consumers, even in Japan, need the instruments necessary to brew tea traditionally. Also, to make the products available to a broader audience, I decided to focus on a more accessible powdered tea. Powder tea takes a little time to prepare. Just mix it in water and enjoy. Originally tea was medicine. Tea has been celebrated for its health benefits for centuries. However, 70% of the nutrition is lost when you make tea from leaves. By making your tea from a powder With NODAKA, you can enjoy the health benefits the leaves offer. Tea powder can also be used to make baked goods, smoothies, lattes, and other products. While Matcha is a well-known type of Japanese tea, I decided to introduce other types of organic Japanese teas as well, including Sencha, Genmaicza, and Hojicha.
We love surprises, fun facts, and incredible stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
We’ve been sending the teas worldwide, loved in over 20 countries and 31 prefectures in Japan so far, and doing popups at many places. Also, We’ve been collaborating with restaurants, cafe shops, retail stores, and some brands worldwide. We’re a proud member of 1% for the Planet. We give back what we borrow from the earth. Your purchase of NODAKA products directly supports environmental restoration and educational projects. We believe in the power of consumers to make big shifts. When you choose Nodoka, you’re supporting.
NODAKA is all about real human connection. We aim to be more than just a tea company. In our increasingly busy lives, it’s easy to remember the producers who spend their lives perfecting traditional crafts and techniques. We must appreciate the story behind what we use, who made it, and how it was made. We bring you a tea that is not only good for you but even better for the producers in Japan.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nodokatea.com/#
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nodoka_tea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nodokatea/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenodoka
Image Credits
THE NODOKA
