The Season of Shincha Returns
As the spring light softens and gentle breezes carry the subtle scents of greenery and earth,
the season of shincha has come around once again.
Throughout the winter, the tea plants quietly gather their strength,
and with the warmth of the sun, begin to tenderly put forth new buds.
Only these very first young leaves are carefully picked to produce ichibancha—
the first harvest, and a season that lies at the heart of ISSO TEA.
Temperature, rainfall, sunlight, soil—
each year’s natural conditions shape the tea in their own way.
Even from the same field and the same grower,
no two harvests are ever quite the same.
Around the 88th night from the beginning of spring, known as Hachijūhachiya,
tea picking reaches its peak.
It has long been said that drinking tea picked on this day brings longevity,
and it is cherished as a symbol of good fortune.
Fresh young leaves, just awakened in spring, are rich in theanine—the source of umami— offering a gentle sweetness, concentrated depth, and a vivid, refreshing aroma.
At ISSO TEA, we carefully select from organically grown tea leaves, nurtured with great care throughout the year, choosing only those that embody a harmonious balance of aroma, flavor, and lingering finish.
May this year as well, the quiet contours of the season gently find their place in your daily life.
ISSO TEA – Ichibancha Selection
At ISSO TEA, we offer a curated range of teas designed to fully express the unique character of first-harvest leaves.
Available in both teabag and loose-leaf formats, each selection can be enjoyed according to your preferred style.
Experience the delicate umami and gentle sweetness of organic first-harvest tea, accompanied by a rich aroma and a beautifully clear infusion.
Yutaka Midori Sencha
A luxurious single-cultivar tea, crafted from carefully selected, high-grade leaves of organic Yutaka Midori first harvest.
Hojibo Roasted Tea
Made exclusively from the stems—only 5% of a rare organic first harvest—this tea is roasted using a specially developed far-infrared method, resulting in an elegant, naturally sweet aroma.
Genmaicha Roasted Rice Tea
Blended with carefully selected organic Hinohikari rice from Kumamoto, known for its distinct fragrance, and organic first-harvest tea from Kyushu, offering a beautifully balanced harmony of flavor and aroma.
Lemongrass Green Tea
A refreshing blend of organic lemongrass grown in the Goto Islands of Nagasaki and rare first-harvest tea stems, creating a bright, uplifting aroma and taste.
Black Bean Hojicha
A rich combination of premium Kuromame black soybeans from Hokkaido—nurtured by mineral-rich mountain waters—and rare organic first-harvest tea, offering a deep, toasty aroma with natural sweetness.
Ceremonial Grade Matcha
An organic matcha of refined elegance, featuring a sophisticated aroma, pronounced umami, and a full-bodied richness, with a deep, vibrant green color. Stone-ground with care, it produces a smooth and delicate foam—an expression of true Japanese craftsmanship.
Explore the full ISSO TEA collection here.
