Juroku-cha Day (16-Tea Day, Jūroku-cha no Hi)

What Is Juroku-cha Day?

March 16 is "Juroku-cha Day," established by Asahi Soft Drinks Co., the maker of "Juroku-cha" (literally "16 Tea"), and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2018. Because the company wants people to enjoy the tea all year round, the day actually falls on the 16th of every month, not just March. It is meant as a day to drink Juroku-cha, a blend of 16 ingredients, and to think about your own health and the people you care about.

The Product's History and Blending Philosophy

Juroku-cha is a pioneer of blended tea in Japan, created using a unique formula rooted in traditional East Asian thinking.

• Born in 1985: The tea was originally developed by the cosmetics company Chanson and sold as tea bags from 1985. From 1993, through a tie-up with Asahi, it was sold as a canned drink (later also in PET bottles) and became a nationwide hit.
• "Six organs, six viscera, four tastes": The number 16 is said to come from East Asian health thinking: the "six organs and six viscera" (6 + 6) plus the "four tastes" — sweet, bitter, salty, and sour (4). Sixteen ingredients were blended based on this idea.

Going Caffeine-Free

Juroku-cha has repeatedly revised its ingredients and design over the years.

• Caffeine-free: Since 2005, Juroku-cha has contained zero caffeine, making it a hydration option people of all ages, including pregnant women, can drink without worrying about the time of day.
• Allergen care: A 2019 renewal swapped out some ingredients so that the tea contains none of the 27 specified allergenic ingredients listed under Japanese labeling rules.

Fun Facts About Juroku-cha

• 16 ingredients: Pearl barley, barley, sicklepod seed (hab-cha), brown rice, corn, loquat leaf, and Cassia mimosoides are among the grains, beans, and wild plants in the blend.
• A changing lineup: Black soybeans and sesame were added in 2000, persimmon leaves were replaced by germinated brown rice and shiitake in 2012, and mandarin peel gave way to yuzu peel in 2020 — the 16 ingredients have changed many times.
• A "four seasons blend": In 2004, the tea adopted a "four seasons blend" that changed the ingredient ratios by season.
• A rival from the same year: Coca-Cola Japan's Sokenbicha blended tea also debuted in 1993 (nationwide from the following year), and the two have long been seen as rivals.
• Born in a health boom: Canned Juroku-cha arrived in 1993 amid a health boom, and the novelty of "16 healthy ingredients" helped popularize blended tea as a category.

Ideas for Enjoying Juroku-cha Day

• Take your time sipping Juroku-cha, mindfully noticing each of the 16 ingredients and savoring the complex, layered harmony of the blend
• Pair Juroku-cha with your meals — Japanese, Western, or Chinese — and rediscover how well it complements different cuisines for a healthier table
• To mark the day, swap one afternoon coffee for a caffeine-free drink
• Check the ingredient list on the label and look up a few ingredients, such as pearl barley or brown rice, as a conversation starter

Balanced Hydration Brings Calm Stability to Body and Mind

March 16 is a day to learn from the "perfect balance" created when diverse elements come together as one, and to bring that same balance into your own life. Even on busy days, incorporating a variety of elements — just like Juroku-cha — and finding your own harmony can bring out a flexible, resilient kind of energy. That sense of being nourished and balanced from within will guide you toward a freer, healthier future. May today be a refreshing and comfortable day!