The First Flush Season, Once Again.

The season of ichibancha—the year’s very first tea harvest—has arrived once more.

With the arrival of spring, tender new buds begin to appear in the tea fields. Each year, this moment reminds us of the profound beauty of Japanese tea, crafted in harmony with nature.

Throughout the long winter, the plants have quietly stored up nutrients and energy.
All of it is now concentrated in a single, delicate bud.

From Tanegashima in the south, the tea harvest slowly moves northward through Kyushu and Honshu—just like the cherry blossom front that sweeps across Japan.
Amid these ever-changing seasonal landscapes, ichibancha once again begins to grow, slowly and carefully.

To draw out the rich umami and gentle sweetness of the leaves, we pay the closest attention to every detail: the timing and length of shading, how water is managed, and how to carefully select just the right buds to harvest.

Each spring may seem the same, and yet no two are alike.
Subtle changes in climate and soil conditions create unique nuances in the aroma and taste of the tea.
At ISSO TEA, we cherish these gifts from nature and handcraft each tea with great care, just as we do every year.

To learn more about ichibancha, we invite you to read ISSO TEA SCHOOL vol.1.

ISSO TEA'S FIRST TEA

At ISSO TEA, we offer a variety of products to bring out the best in the characteristics of Ichibancha tea.

Signature Sencha

You can enjoy the delicate flavor, sweetness, rich aroma, and beautiful color of organic first-grade tea.

Yutaka Midori Sencha

You can enjoy a luxurious variety of tea made from organic Yutaka Midori first-flush tea leaves selected from the highest quality tea leaves.

Hojibo Roasted Tea

Only 5% of the rare organic first-grade tea stems are selected and roasted in a specially developed far-infrared roaster, giving off a refined, sweet aroma.

Genmaicha Roasted Rice Tea

We carefully select organic rice of the distinctly fragrant Hinohikari variety from Kumamoto Prefecture and combine it with organic first-grade tea from Kyushu to fully enjoy the balance of flavor and aroma.

Lemongrass Green Tea

This tea is made by combining organic lemongrass grown on the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture with the stems of only 5% of the rare organic first-season tea leaves, allowing you to enjoy its refreshing aroma and flavor.

Black Bean Hojicha

ISSO Black Bean Hojicha is a luxurious combination of Iwaikuro black beans, blessed with the majestic nature and mineral-rich mountain waters of Hokkaido, and rare organic first-grade tea.

Ceremonial Grade Matcha

The elegant and refined aroma, the outstanding umami and full-bodied flavor, and the beautiful deep green color are the result of the craftsmanship of Japanese artisans, achieved using organic matcha. Carefully ground in a stone mill, the fluffy foam can be enjoyed.

Click here for a list of ISSO TEA products

The First Flush Season, Once Again.

ISSO TEA'S FIRST TEA

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