Shincha - Japan's First Tea Harvest of 2024
The eagerly anticipated first harvest of the year has arrived, and we are excited to present our 2024 Shincha Collection to you. Discover what makes Shincha special, learn about this year's excellent growing conditions, and explore our unique Shincha teas, each with its own distinct flavor and story with us.
What is Shincha?
Shincha, translating to "new tea" in Japanese, is the very first harvest of Japanese green tea, specifically sencha, each spring. Known for its freshness and premium quality, Shincha is prized for being the first flush of leaves after the plants awaken from winter dormancy. This first harvest is rich in nutrients and flavorful oils that have accumulated over the winter, offering a tea that is uniquely sweet and less astringent than tea harvested later in the year. Celebrated for its vibrant vitality and the pure essence of spring it embodies, Shincha provides tea enthusiasts with a taste that is both exquisite and ephemeral, available only in limited quantities each season.
What makes our 2024 Shincha special?
This year's Shincha harvest stands out due to its resilience to a colder March followed by a warm April. These conditions allowed for a normal-sized harvest with high-quality tea leaves. The warm temperatures and sufficient rainfall in April helped the plants recover well, ensuring the leaves are full of flavor. Additionally, there has been no frost damage to the buds, preserving their natural oils and nutrients. This year, our Shincha offers a fresh, vibrant taste that is characteristic of the first harvest of the season.
Introducing 2024 Shincha Collection
Our 2024 shincha collection has just been released and is now available for purchase. This year’s selection showcases a variety of unique Shincha teas, each with its own distinct appeal. Due to high demand and limited availability, we recommend placing your orders early to ensure you don't miss out.
Temomi Shincha
- Our Temomi Shincha is a premium, hand-rolled tea created by our own Kazue Sugimoto and five other skilled artisans. This special tea is prepared annually towards the end of April. If you're looking for a truly unique and luxurious experience, Temomi Shincha offers an unmatched quality and rich flavor that is perfect for treating yourself.
Hashiri Shincha
- "Hashiri" means "early season" in Japanese, and our Hashiri Shincha is made from the first leaves harvested in late April. These tender leaves are softer and produce a tea with a distinctive sweetness that many anticipate throughout the year. Often regarded as the embodiment of spring in Japan, Hashiri Shincha is celebrated for its fresh and vibrant flavor.
Hachiju Hachiya Shincha
- Harvested on the eighty-eighth day of spring, Hachiju Hachiya Shincha is made following an age-old tradition believed to be the best time for tea picking. This special timing is considered by farmers to yield the finest tea, associated with wishes for longevity and health. Tea lovers and connoisseurs look forward to this release each year, making it a highly coveted part of our collection.
How to Brew Shincha
Follow this simple brewing guide to prepare the perfect cup of our Shincha.
Tea Type | Amount of Tea | Amount of Water | Water Temperature | Steeping Time |
Hachiju Hachiya Shincha | 1 Tbsp. (5g) | 12 oz. | At least 175 °F | 30-60 sec. |
Hashiri Shincha | 1 Tbsp. (5g) | 12 oz. | At least 175 °F | 30-60 sec. |
Temomi Shincha | 1/2 Bag (5g) | 2 oz. | 100 °F | 2 min. |
We are thrilled for you to experience the 2024 Shincha collections, which promises to be a delightful treat for tea lovers. Renowned for its subtle umami flavor, this year's collection is sure to enchant your senses. We invite you to explore our Shincha offerings and cherish the unique flavors that come with the first tea harvest of the year.