Steeping Success: Behind Japan's Best Teas - By Neldon and Kei (Live Recording)

Issaku Reserve is a premium green tea masterpiece created by Mr. Arahata at Arahataen Green Tea Farm, offering a truly authentic and traditional Japanese tea experience. Handpicked once a year from new crops and crafted through a meticulous, complex process, Issaku Reserve is the farm’s highest-grade tea, produced in limited quantities and prized even in Japan. Winner of the Global Tea Championship in 2017 and 2019, this exceptional tea is made from the Yabukita cultivar and cultivated using the Chagusaba method in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil. It comes in a high-quality, air-tight paper tube canister containing 3.5 oz (100g), enough to steep 30–40 cups, with a single-serve 0.3 oz (10g) sample also available to preserve its rich flavor and outstanding freshness.

This premium matcha is crafted from the finest Japanese green tea, grown in nutrient-rich soil enhanced with compostable grasses and sugarcane through the Chagusaba method, which gives the tea a natural sweetness and exceptional flavor. In collaboration with researchers from Shizuoka University, farmers ensure that the soil quality consistently produces tea of the highest standard.

Renowned among top Japanese chefs for its unmatched aroma, this matcha is made by carefully shading the plants before harvest to boost caffeine and amino acids, then meticulously drying, de-stemming, and grinding the leaves into a fine powder. Made from the Yabukita cultivar, this 1.8 oz (50g) matcha comes in a high-quality, air-tight paper tube canister, providing a luxurious and authentic Japanese tea experience.

This high-quality teapot, handmade in Tokoname City, Japan, is specially designed for deep-steamed (Fukamushi) tea, featuring an ultra-fine mesh perfect for brewing fine tea leaves. It steeps 9 oz (270cc) and is thoughtfully crafted with a wide opening for easy cleaning, an easy-to-hold handle, and a broader surface area to enhance the tea’s flavor extraction. Made from natural red clay rich in iron, the unglazed interior absorbs some of the tea’s bitterness by pulling out excess catechins, creating a smoother and more pleasant-tasting green tea without sacrificing the health benefits of green tea’s powerful antioxidants. A Tokoname Yaki teapot offers the best of both worlds: a deliciously refined flavor and the full vitality of green tea’s natural goodness.

Our roasted green tea, known as hojicha (ほうじ茶), is crafted from freshly harvested premium green tea carefully roasted in porcelain over charcoal to maximize flavor while retaining more catechins than typical hojicha on the market. With lower caffeine and a smoother, less bitter taste compared to steamed green tea, it is an ideal choice for evening relaxation and is gentle enough for kids and pregnant women. Cultivated using the Chagusaba method in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil, this loose-leaf authentic Japanese roasted green tea, made from the Yabukita cultivar, also pairs beautifully with oily foods. Each eco-friendly resealable package contains 3.5 oz (100g) of tea, enough to steep 30–40 comforting cups.

Our premium Japanese Genmai Matcha blends roasted popped brown rice (genmai 玄米) with award-winning matcha and high-quality green tea, creating a rich, aromatic tea with a smooth, nutty flavor. This popular Japanese tea offers a milder alternative to straight green tea, featuring roasted mochi-gome (もち米) sticky rice for an added touch of premium taste.

Crafted from Fukamushi Sencha and cultivated using the Chagusaba method in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil, this Matcha-iri-Genmai-cha delivers both vibrant flavor and health benefits. Made with the Yabukita cultivar, each eco-friendly resealable package contains 7.0 oz (200g) of tea, enough to steep 50–60 cups, offering a satisfying and aromatic experience for green tea enthusiasts.

Our premium Japanese Genmaicha blends high-quality green tea with roasted popped brown rice (genmai 玄米), often nicknamed "popcorn tea" because the roasting process sounds like popcorn popping. Popular especially among the older generation in Japan for its mild flavor and lower caffeine content, this tea is easier on the stomach while still offering a rich, comforting taste. The brown rice used is premium Japanese mochi-gome (もち米) sticky rice, enhancing the tea’s nutty, aromatic profile. Made from Fukamushi Sencha and cultivated using the Chagusaba method in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil, this Genmaicha features the Yabukita cultivar and comes in a 7.0 oz (200g) eco-friendly resealable package, enough to steep 50–60 cups.

Benifuuki green tea is well-known in Japan for its natural allergy-relief benefits, helping with seasonal allergies, cedar allergies, hay fever, and even Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAD). Rich in Methylated Catechins, a potent form of EGCG, it works to inhibit mast cell responses and ease allergy symptoms.

This premium candy, made from Benifuuki tea and menthol, offers a convenient, low-calorie way to enjoy these benefits on the go. Thanks to a special soil cultivation method developed by the Arahataen research team, the candy preserves the tea’s smooth, aromatic flavor while maintaining its powerful health properties. Each piece is individually wrapped for easy use.

Benifuuki green tea, sometimes written as Benifuki, is a popular tea in Japan celebrated for its natural ability to help relieve seasonal allergies, cedar allergies, hay fever, and even Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAD). Rich in Methylated Catechins, a powerful form of EGCG known to inhibit mast cell responses, Benifuuki offers strong support against allergy symptoms. Typically associated with bitterness, the Arahataen research team developed a special nutrient-rich soil, enhanced with sugarcane, to cultivate Benifuuki with high levels of Methylated Catechins while maintaining a smooth aroma and reduced bitterness. This powdered tea, made from the Benifuki cultivar and grown using the Chagusaba method, comes in a resealable aluminum bag containing 14 single-serve stick packs (0.6g each). Simply mix one stick with hot or cold water or milk to enjoy an easy, flavorful cup without the need for a strainer or teapot.