Renowned throughout Japan as pioneers of organic tea cultivation, the Nishi family has been one of our strongest partners for organic sencha since 2006. Every year, the Nishi family produces a special batch of hand-picked shincha honoring the first growth, new tea of spring. Less than 2% of all Japanese tea is harvested by hand, so we are always thankful and eager to share such a special tea.

Shincha literally means “new tea” and represents the first harvest of the tea bushes in spring as they emerge from winter dormancy. Shincha is fresh and vibrant while being widely celebrated and anticipated by tea lovers. The shincha season starts in the south of Japan and progresses northward into the cooler high mountain regions of central Japan and Shizuoka.

Based on its character, the Saemidori cultivar is the first tea to be harvested in the spring due to its inherent growth cycle. This Saemidori tea bush cultivar is a crossbreed between Yabukita and Asatsuyu and produces a vivid, bright green infusion. Elegant yet vivacious, it bestows fresh and clear spring energy.