🌱 New Tea Has Arrived: Deep-Steamed Shincha & Farmers' Shincha
🌱 Why Shincha Is Still Special
Every spring, I look forward to welcoming Shincha to CHA CHA TEA.
For those of you who have been enjoying our Shincha every year, you may already know how special this season.
And if you've never tried Shincha before, this may be the perfect time to discover the fresh taste of a new tea season.
This year, we are excited to welcome two Shincha teas again to CHA CHA TEA: Deep-Steamed Shincha and Farmer's Shincha.
🍵 What is Shincha?
Shin-cha means "new tea" in Japanese. It is the new tea of the year—the first harvest of the season.
In Japan, green tea is usually harvested several times from spring through fall. The first harvest, Ichiban-cha, is especially appreciated for its fresh, refreshing aroma. In Kyoto, Japan, we have a tradition of celebrating Shincha in May. So, these are the May 2026 crops.
I once told my husband that, as Japanese people, we are very serious about new tea in early summer and new rice in the fall. He said, "You Japanese are very serious about everything!"
Hahaha. Maybe that's a stereotype—but I took it as a compliment. 😊
🌿 This Year's Shincha
I am excited to share two different expressions of Shincha with
Our Deep-Steamed Shincha has a rich, full flavour, with lots of umami and a fresh aroma.
Our Farmer's Shincha feels a little softer to me, with a gentle sweetness.
They are different, but both offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the freshness of a new tea harvest.
💚 So, Why Is Shincha Still a Big Deal?
These days, we can enjoy fresh green tea all year round. With better ways of preserving tea, we can enjoy good-quality green tea long after the harvest season.
At CHA CHA TEA, I am grateful to be able to share Japanese green tea with you throughout the year.
But Shincha is still special.
There is something about brewing tea from a new harvest and celebrating the arrival of a new tea season.
Many of our customers look forward to this time of year. And for me, it is always exciting to share that experience with you.
🫖 Come Taste the New Tea Season
If you already look forward to Shincha every year, welcome back. And if you've never tried it before, I hope you'll come and discover what fresh tea tastes like.
This week, you can taste our Featured Tea in-store at CHA CHA TEA. Come try the new harvest, compare the two teas, and see which one speaks to you.
I can't wait to share this year's Shincha with you.
Come and join me—let's celebrate the new tea season together! 🍵