The Ultimate Arena of Quality

Every year, the world of Japanese tea buzzes with excitement as prestigious, highly anticipated tea competitions take place. These evaluations are held both within individual tea-producing regions and on a grand, nationwide scale, bringing together the absolute finest leaves harvested earlier that spring for a thrilling masterclass in quality.

During the judging process, the newly harvested leaves are subjected to incredibly rigorous examination.

Experts meticulously analyze the physical appearance—looking for a pristine, vibrant gloss on the dry leaves—before evaluating the liquor once brewed. They judge the clarity of the color, the complexity and depth of the aroma, and, of course, the balance and refinement of the flavor profile. Winning an award at these competitions is the ultimate badge of honor for tea farmers, signaling to the world that their craftsmanship has achieved absolute perfection for that vintage.