Yame First Pick Hashiri Shincha - Limited Time

Grown in the historic tea fields of Yame, this Hashiri First Pick Sencha captures the very first taste of Japan’s new harvest season. “Hashiri” means the earliest arrival of the season, and in Japanese tea, hashiri shincha refers to the first spring leaves picked before the main harvest begins. These young leaves are tender, vibrant, and full of the fleeting freshness that tea lovers wait all year to experience.

Yame’s tea legacy dates back centuries, when tea seeds and cultivation knowledge were brought to the region from Ming China. Today, Yame remains one of Japan’s most respected tea regions, especially admired for its refined gyokuro craftsmanship, deep umami, and elegant sweetness. Its misty mountain climate, mineral-rich soils, and dramatic temperature shifts between day and night help produce teas with remarkable depth, softness, and clarity.

This sencha is made from a single cultivar: Saemidori. Saemidori is one of our favorite Japanese tea cultivars because it brings together everything we love in a high-quality green tea: vivid green color, gentle sweetness, deep umami, and very low bitterness. A cross between Yabukita and Asatsuyu, Saemidori inherits balance and structure from Yabukita, while carrying the lush sweetness and umami richness of Asatsuyu—sometimes called “natural gyokuro” for its naturally mellow character.

That is why Saemidori has become so popular among tea producers and tea drinkers. It creates a cup that feels rich and elegant without being heavy, sweet without being sugary, and savory without becoming harsh. In this Yame hashiri shincha, Saemidori’s best qualities shine beautifully: a fresh spring aroma, a smooth mouthfeel, a glowing green liquor, and a layered taste that moves from tender steamed greens to soft umami, sweet grass, and a clean, refreshing finish.

If you enjoy the deep umami of Yame gyokuro but want something brighter, fresher, and easier to enjoy every day, this first pick Saemidori sencha is a beautiful expression of the new harvest.

How to Brew

5g | 180–200ml kyusu/Japanese teapot | 165°F (74°C) | 60 seconds

Expect a smooth, sweet, umami-rich cup with fresh green brightness, gentle vegetal notes, and a clean lingering finish.

Cold Brew

1g per 50ml room temperature water | Steep 1 hour in refrigerator

Clean, sweet, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather.

Notes: Fresh Greens, Sweet Grass, Umami, Spring Vegetables, Soft Melon