Our Loose Leaf Tea from Shizuoka
While the market is filled with green tea options, very few are truly organic. In fact, organic tea cultivation remains a rare practice, accounting for only around 5% of all tea in Japan. Our organic loose-leaf teas are a rare find, sourced from the hills of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan’s most renowned tea-growing region.
Meet Our Tea Farmers: The Kinezuka Family of Shizuoka
Nestled in the mineral-rich mountains of Shizuoka, near the base of Mt. Fuji, the Kinezuka family has been cultivating tea for decades with one simple belief:
"The taste of good organic tea is made half of tea leaves and half of the hearts of their farmers."
Their tea fields, located on mountain slopes, are part of a living ecosystem. Here, "nature not chemicals" guides the growing process. The family rely on biodiversity and balance to care for their crops: spiders, birds, and praying mantises control pests, while mycorrhizal fungi in the soil boost the health and vitality of the tea plants.
These environmental conditions also shape the tea itself. Compared to flatland farms, mountain-grown tea endures more natural stress: shorter sunlight hours, cooler temperatures, and steeper slopes. This results in thinner tea leaves rich in aromatic phytochemicals, ideal for shorter steaming times that help preserve their complexity and natural sweetness. The flavour is clean, nuanced, and deeply satisfying.
In contrast, flatland-grown tea, which exposed to more sun and rapid growth—develops thicker leaves that require longer steaming, producing a darker brew with stronger bitterness and opacity.
The family’s organic teas reflect their unwavering commitment to nature and community. They not only cultivate their own fields but also collaborate with a network of local family farms, preserving age-old traditions and supporting regenerative agriculture in the region.
By choosing our Shizuoka loose leaf teas, you’re supporting more than just a cup of green tea. You’re investing in sustainability, craftsmanship, and a way of farming that respects both the earth and the people who work it.
When you choose our Shizuoka loose leaf tea, you’re not just drinking green tea, you’re supporting a tradition of sustainability, harmony, and craftsmanship.
