During a recent trip to Uji, I participated in a hands-on workshop that changed how I view Japanese tea - not just as a drink, but as a source of powerful, natural skincare (I didnt know, excuse my ignorance!!) . We created a hand balm using tea seed oil (茶の実油), which comes from the seeds of the same Camellia sinensis plants used for making tea. The process was thoughtful, intimate, and deeply connected to the land.

Before this, I had no idea that the tea plant produces seeds, let alone that these seeds are packed with a golden oil rich in skin-loving nutrients. Most commercial tea farms avoid letting their plants flower or seed, because those processes take energy away from leaf production. But in abandoned tea fields, nature takes its course. Flowers bloom, seeds grow—and those seeds become an untapped treasure.

What’s fascinating is just how much work goes into creating even a small amount of oil. To make just 1 liter of tea seed oil, you need about 100 kg of seeds. That’s roughly thousands of individual seeds. When we cold-pressed the seeds during the workshop, we saw just how precious every drop was. The yield is only about 10% by weight—meaning that 10 kg of seeds will produce just 1 kg of oil. This low yield is one reason why the oil is so rare and cherished.

Tea seed oil isn’t just rare—it’s also incredibly nutritious for the skin. It contains up to 70–80% oleic acid, making it deeply moisturizing and easily absorbed. It also carries a high amount of vitamin E (often more than olive oil), along with beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, phytosterols, and other antioxidants. All these compounds help fight oxidative stress, support skin elasticity, and calm irritation, making it ideal for people with sensitive or dry skin.

We used the freshly pressed oil to make a soft hand balm, blending it with natural waxes and butters. The result was smooth, nourishing, and subtly scented—no added perfumes, just the gentle essence of the tea fields themselves. Because the oil is so stable and antioxidant-rich, it doesn’t go rancid easily, and feels light on the skin without any greasiness.

In skincare, tea seed oil can be used in:
Facial oils and serums (absorbs quickly, great for sensitive skin)
Hand and lip balms
Hair oil treatments
Nail and cuticle care

One of the things I appreciated most was the sustainability aspect. These seeds came from fields that had been left unused—yet they still had value. By pressing them into oil, we not only created high-quality skincare, but also supported local communities and revived forgotten land.

This experience helped me realize how deeply connected Japanese tea culture is to nature, not just through drinking tea but also through using every part of the plant. Tea seed oil is more than just an ingredient—it’s a symbol of care, patience, and respect for natural resources.

If you ever get the chance to try making it yourself, I highly recommend it. Whether you're a tea lover or a skincare enthusiast, you'll walk away with something meaningful—both in your hands and in your heart.

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