A honey-tea fermented beverage made with deep-steamed "Yutakamidori," a traditional tea variety grown in Shibushi, Kagoshima, known for its balance of rich umami and robust astringency.

The key tea is sourced entirely from Horiguchi Seicha, a company that operates under the motto "Igniting passion in the tea industry." ANTELOPE has taken on the challenge of bringing out a new dimension to Yutakamidori, a tea with a truly quintessential character.

To maximize the potential of the tea leaves, we produced this beverage in collaboration with, and under the full supervision of, Mr. Tajimi, owner of Tokyo's wacasu.

We extracted the unique characteristics of both cold-brewed and hot-brewed tea before blending them together. The process was incredibly thrilling; it was a tense yet comfortable period spent carefully drawing out the delicate nuances of the tea.

The fermentation profile is lower in sugar to make it easier to pair with meals.
Inspired by the pairing of "vanilla ice cream and green tea," we finished the beverage in whiskey barrels to add a subtle hint of vanilla.

It is a special product bottled without heat treatment.

Exclusively available through "Ohsumi Sazen."

Inquiries here 〉https://sazen.jp/
Instagram 〉https://www.instagram.com/ohsumisazen

〈Tokyo → Shibushi → Yasu〉

This project began with a meeting with Mr. Tajimi, owner of wacasu in Tokyo.
We first met late in the summer the year before last.

A colorful, scruffy-looking fellow walked into the factory────

After looking around the factory and showing interest in so many things, before we knew it, and without a moment’s hesitation, we were saying, "Let's make mead using tea."

Mr. Tajimi travels back and forth between Tokyo and Shiga as if they were neighboring towns.
He invited us to Shibushi with that same sense of proximity, and ANTELOPE zipped right over. That is where we met the team at Horiguchi Seicha, whose tea we used for this project.

Daisuke, the representative, seems to be constantly taking on new challenges, like the Shohei Ohtani of the tea industry. But he’s always working so hard that even when we go out for drinks with Mr. Tajimi, he’s bound to fall asleep somewhere along the way. He is that kind of person—beloved by everyone and a source of inspiration to take on new challenges.

〈Tasting Note〉
ABV is 15%. Behind the sweet aroma of wood barrels, the elegant scent of green tea rises. A rich body and honey-like texture typical of a higher ABV beverage. The finish features the characteristic umami and sophisticated astringency of deep-steamed tea. Recommended pairings include charcoal-grilled chicken, shira-ae (dressed tofu), and red bean butter sandwiches. Please enjoy this new Japanese experience.

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Style: Green Tea Mead
ABV: 15%
Carbonation: Still
Content: 750ml, 500ml
Ingredients: Honey (from Myanmar), Green tea (Yutakamidori)
Sweetness (10-point scale): 3 (Semi-Dry)
Serving Temperature: Cellar temperature (8-16°C)
Pairing: Charcoal-grilled chicken, shira-ae, red bean butter sandwich

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