Our Loden entrepreneur, Dechen Pelden of Black Mountain Green Tea in Trongsa, recently wrapped up an incredible trip to Tokushima, Japan from 21 to 29 August 2025, with support from FAO Bhutan. This journey gave her the chance to dive deep into Japanese tea cultivation, processing, and culture, while proudly sharing Bhutan’s own tea traditions with global partners.
During her visit, Dechen explored tea farms, took part in anaerobic fermentation in Kamikatsu, and led practical sessions on Zangja (Suja) processing and tasting. She also discovered Awa Bancha a unique tea made from mature tea leaves that she already grows back home knowledge she’s eager to use to boost her business and benefit her community.
Her trip was made even more special by an invitation from Mr. Pedro from Canada, a loyal buyer and promoter of Bhutanese butter tea worldwide. Along the way, Dechen gained hands-on experience with precision cultivation, modern processing techniques, and the rich cultural nuances of Japanese tea, even participating in traditional tea ceremonies where she exchanged ideas with tea enthusiasts from around the world.
This milestone marks another step in Dechen’s mission to elevate Bhutanese tea, empower local farmers, and bring innovation and global connections back to her community. Let’s celebrate her achievements and cheer her on as she continues to put Bhutanese tea on the world stage!
