Thank you very much for helping us create this new product, Yuzu Sencha.
After all the work (see below) and excitement, the product is finally ready for you.
Click here to be the first to try this Yuzu Sencha.
(It is only available on Amazon for now.)
I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support in bringing this new product to fruition. Your assistance throughout the four-month process has been invaluable and greatly appreciated.
Please see below all the results of the votes you cast and the journey to making this a reality.
Thank you very much!
Where We Started
February 2023
The holiday season was over, and we wanted to create a new product.
Rather than coming up with an idea as usual, we wanted to create something with our Green Tea Club community.
We decided to ask everyone what kind of product they should consider.
We put out our first survey to ask you what kind of products you want us to make.
We were overwhelmed by everyone's response (thank you!), and here is the result of this.
Round 2 - What Flavor?
March 2023
It appears that the majority of individuals prefer unsweetened tea. After reviewing numerous comments, we have compiled a list of potential non-sweetened tea options that we can develop.
We also requested suggestions for new flavor ideas.
Here is the result of the second survey (thank you again!).
The winner was Yuzu Sencha.
The second winner was Sakura Sencha.
When we were doing this, the cherry blossoms were blooming and beautiful, so it is too bad that Sakura didn't win.
The loser was Grape Sencha ... did someone say that was my idea? (oh boy)
Round 3 - Package Design
April 2023
The next step for the new product was to create a package design.
You have helped us design packages many times in the past.
Here are the past design contests you helped us with.
- Gokuzyo Aracha Design Contest (January 2022)
- Issaku Design Contest (November 2021)
- Nozomi Design Contest (July 2021)
- Gyokuro Design Contest (February 2021)
- Matcha Design Contest (April 2019)
As I am writing this, I am realizing that the stunning package designs that have become familiar to us are all thanks to your support and assistance. I appreciate how much you always have our backs.
Thank you so much for all your support and help all the time.
Here are the results of the contest:
The left one - White Background with Large Yuzu won. The other two were almost tied.
Round 4 - Production
April - May 2023
Back in April, during the package design phase, we began sourcing the product. Fortunately, we managed to acquire all-natural dried yuzu peel from Gokasemachi in Miyazaki (宮崎県 五ヶ瀬町), which we then blended with Kamairi cha.
Miyazaki Prefecture, located in the Kyushu region of Japan, is well-known for the quality of its citrus fruits, including yuzu. Here are a few reasons why Miyazaki Yuzu is considered exceptional:
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Climate and Environment: Miyazaki has a warm, subtropical climate with abundant rainfall, making it an ideal environment for growing citrus fruits. The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is believed to help enhance the sweetness of the fruit.
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Tradition and Expertise: Japanese farmers in regions like Miyazaki have been cultivating yuzu for generations. They've refined their growing and harvesting techniques over the years, resulting in a high-quality product.
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Flavor and Aroma: Yuzu from Miyazaki is known for its distinctively strong aroma and flavor profile that is both tart and slightly sweet, making it a favorite in Japanese cuisine. Yuzu is often used in sauces, teas, desserts, and alcoholic beverages.
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Health Benefits: Like other citrus fruits, yuzu is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which can help boost the immune system and improve skin health.
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Unique Usage: Yuzu's unique aroma is not only used in food but also in baths (yuzu-buro) on the winter solstice. This is a Japanese custom believed to ward off colds and flu.
We learned that Kamairi cha, a roasted tea, traditionally matched well with yuzu peel, so we decided to use Kamairi cha. (You can learn a bit more about Kamairicha here.)
Result - It is available for you now!
As we finally come to the end of this remarkable journey, I want to pause to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this process. Your creativity, insights, and unwavering enthusiasm have been the driving force behind the creation of our newest product, the Yuzu Sencha.
From the beginning, you all stepped up, offering your unique perspectives and preferences in our surveys, contributing to a shared vision of a brand-new tea experience. From the flavor selection to the package design, your involvement was integral to shaping the final product. Your commitment to quality and your passion for exceptional tea have resulted in a Yuzu Sencha we can all be proud of.
This journey has reminded us all of the extraordinary power of community. The Green Tea Club is not just a gathering of tea lovers, but a family that contributes to the growth and innovation of our beloved products. I am deeply grateful for your continual support and am excited for you all to finally taste the fruits of our collective labor.
And so, without further ado, we're thrilled to invite you to be the first to savor this exciting new flavor. You can Buy Yuzu Sencha now exclusively on Amazon.
We trust that you will find the Yuzu Sencha as extraordinary as the journey we embarked on to create it. Your feedback and reviews will be welcomed and highly appreciated, as they will not only guide others but also shape the future of our next product developments.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and involvement. Here's to many more exciting journeys together and a future steeped in delicious tea discoveries.
With love and gratitude,
Kei Nishida and the team from Japanese Green Tea Co.
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