Juroku-cha Day
Food DaysWhat Is Juroku-cha Day?
The 16th of every month is "Juroku-cha Day," established by Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., headquartered in Azumabashi, Sumida Ward, Tokyo. The date comes straight from the "16" in the product name Juroku-cha. Because the company wants people drinking it year-round, the anniversary falls every month rather than once a year.
A Blended Tea Made from Sixteen Ingredients
As the name says, Juroku-cha is a blended tea drink made with sixteen ingredients. Its caffeine-free formulation has long been promoted as something you can drink at any hour and in any season.
- Established by: Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., Azumabashi, Sumida Ward, Tokyo
- Origin of the date: the 16 in the product name, giving the 16th of each month
- The product: a blended tea using sixteen ingredients
- Why monthly: the wish that people drink it throughout the year
Why Blended Teas Took Off
Rather than a single leaf, blended teas combine barley, brown rice, beans and more, and they have grown into a major category in Japan's soft drink market. They pair easily with meals and are an obvious pick when caffeine is unwelcome.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Read the label on the blended tea you have and see what is actually in it
- Keep tea on hand at year-end parties for the gaps between drinks
- Stock something you can drink at night, and build a hydration habit
- Look for other products whose names contain a number
When the Number in a Name Becomes a Date
Plenty of anniversaries are simply a number lifted out of a product name. Juroku-cha Day is one of them -- and checking where a drink's name came from often turns up something unexpected.