Binchotan, still relatively unknown, might not mean much to you yet. You may have heard of it referred to as black gold or white charcoal. If not, we are here to shed some light on this unique product and its rich history.

History
Binchotan is an ancient product that traces its roots to Japan. It is named after Bicchūya Chozaemon (備中屋長左衛門), a charcoal producer in Tanabe (Wakayama Prefecture), who began selling this new form of charcoal (炭 or Tan). Before the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Wakayama Prefecture was known as Kishu. To distinguish the original product from its various imitations, it was named Kishu Binchotan, after the region.

Originally, Binchotan is produced from Ubame oak. This type of oak is hard and has a tighter grain compared to regular oak. Harvesting Ubame oak is a challenging task since the trees often grow on hilly terrain. However, the effort is worthwhile when considering the unique end product with its distinct resonance. This resonance becomes evident when two sticks of the finished product are struck together.

Production Process The production process of Binchotan is unique and requires a lot of patience. The entire process, excluding the collection of wood, can take up to 10 days. Here, we break down the process step by step.

1. Preparation
   To produce Binchotan, it is essential to gather the wood. The wood grows in hilly areas and is harvested by both man and machine. After selecting the appropriate trees, they are bundled and transported to the factory. In the factory, the wood is processed to the correct length.
2. Combustion Phase
   The combustion takes place in large kilns, big enough to walk through. Inside these kilns, the wood bundles are placed manually. To initiate the combustion, lighter wood is added. Once ignited, the opening is sealed with bricks and clay. Small holes are then made to allow moisture and steam to escape and to add extra oxygen. The combustion is controlled and occurs at lower temperatures for approximately six days.

After this period, the wood is recognizable as charcoal, and the moisture has evaporated. While the production process for regular charcoal would be nearly complete, Binchotan goes a step further. The temperature is raised one last time to 1000 – 1200 degrees Celsius, allowing the charcoal to burn further for a day. This process makes the charcoal stronger, denser, harder, and purer, with a higher carbon content (95%).

Once the charcoal has burned sufficiently, it is removed from the kiln and placed into an iron drum. The drum is then immediately sealed with clay to prevent oxygen from entering and further burning the charcoal. The charcoal remains in the drum for a day to ensure it is fully extinguished. After it is fully extinguished, the Binchotan is removed from the drum and is ready for packaging.

This amazing authentic process makes Binchotan a unique product.