Tsutsuji is a best-in-class tea produced for exhibition at Japan’s National Tea Competition. Our partner Shinya Yamaguchi works directly with several revered farmers to source the raw material to produce this incredible tea. Tsutsuji reveals a dignified aroma and deep, resonant flavor emblematic of Yame sencha—an expression distinct from the gyokuro more commonly submitted in competition. Year after year, Tsutsuji continues to impress with its remarkable sweetness, driven by its pure Saemidori pedigree, and a round, buttery mouthfeel rarely encountered. We are proud to offer this tea as a true benchmark—an expression of Yame at its highest level.Shincha is an indicator of the arrival of spring, and this young, fresh green tea is sold for only a small window of time, roughly one month. We're selling our 2026 selections as pre-orders, launching them as soon as the teas are harvested. Domestic pre-orders will ship as soon as the tea arrives in our Brooklyn warehouse—typically within 2 weeks of launch.
