Green tea
Japanese Teas
Chinese green teas
Our Chinese green teas come from the eastern region of China spanning from the south of Fujian to the upper eastern region of Anhui. We strive to offer the utmost quality of ethically-sourced green teas from select farms throughout the eastern region.
Our Mao Feng comes from the region of Anhui, whose tea cultivation dates back to the Song Dynasty. Buddhist monks were thought to be the producers of this tea and cultivated it on Yellow Mountain.
Our Dragonwell comes from the famous West Lake in the Zhejiang region. Zhejiang is known as “the land of silk and tea,” and has been raising tea since the Song Dynasty.
Our Jasmine Pearls come from the Fujian region; specifically Fuzhou, which is known as the center for jasmine teas. Jasmine tea cultivation goes back to the early period of the Tang Dynasty.
Japanese green teas
Most Japanese teas are very pure green teas. The unique production processes and Japan’s climate produce distinct qualities. Most tea in Japan is steamed to reduce oxidation, a process unique to Japanese teas. We offer a selection of Japanese teas, including a sencha—a pure loose-leaf green tea, a genmaicha—a tea mixed with toasted rice, and a hojicha—a roasted tea. We also offer matcha—check our matcha section!
Our Asanoka Sencha is from the City of Kagoshima in Shizuoka prefecture. Shizuoka prefecture is the largest tea-producing region in Japan. Tea first came to the region in the 12th century, when the supreme monk Myoe brought tea seeds from Kyoto to the Seiken-ji temple in Shimizu, Shizuoka. The tea industry began later in the region when Shoichi Kokushi brought tea seeds from China in 1241. His vision was to start a tea industry in the region and became known as the father of Shizuoka tea. Sencha, a pure green tea, is the most common tea in Japan, and our Asanoka Sencha is an especially flavorful version.
Our Premium Genmaicha is from the City of Yame in Fukuoka prefecture. Fukuoka prefecture is on the island of Kyushu, which is a newer area for tea production in Japan. The island of Kyushu may have been the first area in Japan to become aware of tea when it was first brought by Buddhist monks from China. Tea may have been brought to the region by Samurais from the Heike clan during the Kamakura era (1185-1333). The city of Yame has become a very big tea producer in recent times and has an ideal climate for tea growing. Tea from this region makes a very tasty genmaicha. Genmaicha is tea mixed with toasted rice and has a toasted flavor.
Our Organic Flowery Hojicha is from Miyazaki prefecture. Miyazaki prefecture is also on the island of Kyushu and has become one of the largest tea producers in Japan. There are currently many different types of tea production taking place in Miyazoka, with a great variety of teas. Our Organic Flowery Hojicha comes from a master producer in the area. Hojicha is a roasted tea that is popular to drink at night. Ours has a unique, wonderful flowery aroma and sweet taste, unlike any other Hojicha.