Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Bogar.
Hi Erin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After living in Japan, my husband and I gained a deep love of Japanese culture and the unique juxtaposition of traditional and modern that exists throughout the country. Japanese tea culture and the way tea is incorporated into the day-to-day became a ritual that we loved for both the way it helped us slow down and energized us in a more even-keeled way than coffee. Drinking green tea quickly became a daily part of our lives.
When we moved back to the US from Tokyo, we craved the fresh and ever-present green teas we drank on a daily basis while living in Japan. But as it turns out, these teas are difficult to find stateside. So, we decided to search out the farmers and producers making these teas and help make these beautiful, high-quality teas more available in the US. We officially started Southern Record Tea in 2019. Our mission is to share the unique Japanese green teas that rarely make it out of the country, and in the process help small, family-run farms thrive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When we started Southern Record Tea, we both had full-time jobs and we had a brand new baby. It made for a slow start but also grounded us in the value of creating a business that allows us to balance work and the family time that’s so valuable to us as parents of young kids. So, we’ve had to be patient but persistent in growing.
The most rewarding part of the business, which has kept us energized and pushing forward, is connecting with the tea farmers, building relationships, learning more about what they do and how they care for the land, and supporting these small growing farms. Our hope is that as we grow larger, we can help the farms we’re connected with grow as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of Southern Record Tea. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Based in Austin, TX, we source unique, high-quality Japanese green teas from small, family-run farms. We offer a variety of loose-leaf teas and matcha from farmers and producers dedicated to producing the finest quality teas using sustainable, natural, and organic farming practices. We carry a range of single-origin and multi-cultivar teas.
Our mission is to share unique Japanese teas that rarely make it out of the country, and in the process, help small, family-run farms thrive. Lately, we’re excited about connecting with and supporting the growing number of women-run farms in Japan. Many of these farms have been in the same families for generations and historically run by the men of the family, but we’re starting to see a shift with farms being run by daughters.
We’re a family-owned business run by husband and wife duo Blaine + Erin Bogar. After living in Japan, we developed a deep love of tea as well as an appreciation for the high level of care and attention the Japanese give to the creation of their products, foods, and experiences. We enjoy sharing the beauty and experience of Japanese tea.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The tea industry in Japan has been in decline for many years. There’s an aging population of tea farmers who often don’t have family members planning to take over their farms when they retire. There’s also been a shift within Japan to more people drinking bottled green tea, which is created with lower quality tea. Both of these situations put at risk the cultivation of high-quality, nuanced green teas.
You can think of it like single-origin coffee or premium wines. The best teas have nuanced flavors and aromas, which makes drinking them a unique experience. Japanese tea farmers are starting to see an increased interest and appreciation in premium green teas in the US market and other countries outside of Japan. Much like the third wave coffee movement, we’re hoping to help educate people about the wide array of Japanese teas available and make them more accessible. In the US, we’re starting to see a rise in high-quality ready-to-drink matcha drinks. We’re curious about expanding our offer in this direction and beyond matcha, providing high-quality ready-to-drink loose-leaf Japanese teas as well.
Pricing:
- Asatsuyu Ceremonial Matcha (30g) $36
- Oyako Premium Ceremonial Matcha (30g) $45
- Yoshiwara Sencha (50g) $26
- Sayama Hojicha (80g) $28
- Gyokuro Soheki (50g) $30
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@southernrecord.com
- Website: https://southernrecord.com/
- Instagram: southernrecordtea
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernrecordtea
Image Credits
The image of the three Japanese women in front of the tea farm “Image source: Kirokuen Tea Farm”
