First of the new 2026 spring teas!

Single Cultivar Sencha Shoju from Iba Takahiro Tea Garden on the southern island of  Tanegashima. 

50g

Shoju is a rare cultivar grown by Tanegashima Island tea farmer Iba Takahiro, shaded for about 10 days, harvested in the third week of March making it one of the earliest teas harvested in all of Japan. 

Iba-san says he determines when to start shading the plants after the second leaf bud appears, and decided to harvest around the 4th leaf bud appearance then harvesting a bud and 3-4 young, tender leaves. He pays careful attention to the leaf growth at this time of the year to determine the perfect timing.

Steeping Notes: 5g | 60°| 1min | 100ml-200ml 

Re-steep the leaves multiple times. Gradually increase the water temperature and lessen infusion time

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Cultivar: Shoju
• Harvest: Mid-Late March 2026
• Region: Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima
  

Tanegashima Island is a small Japanese island located in the southwestern region of the country, off the coast of Kyushu, known for its rich history and natural beauty. Because if it’s southern latitude, tea fields on the island are some of the earliest to be harvested in Japan, with the first harvest occurring at the end of March.