Shizuoka Organic Temomi Sencha 2023

Shizuoka Temomi-Cha : 99.99% of Japanese tea is machine-processed after harvest.

However, temomi-cha is entirely crafted by human hands. Over the course of approximately eight hours and through eight meticulous steps, this artisanal tea is brought to life with extraordinary care and precision.

Today, there are only a handful of artisans left who possess the skill to craft temomi-cha by hand. Recognized by the Japanese government as one of the nation’s officially designated “Traditional Skills,” this rare tea is a true cultural treasure. Even within Japan, it is scarcely available on the market.

Once a year, a special offering of temomi-cha is presented to the Japanese Imperial Household by the Japan Hand-Rolling Tea Preservation Society.
Even within this exceptionally rare category—representing just 0.01% of all Japanese tea—there are both conventionally grown teas, which may use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and organic varieties cultivated without them.

When it comes to organically grown temomi-cha, only one existed in all of Japan in 2023: Phenimax tea from Shizuoka. It was the sole hand-rolled tea produced that year using certified organic methods.

Truly worthy of the title "Legends of Japan," this is the world’s finest and most unparalleled organic temomi-cha.

How to Read the Label

Characteristics

As the leaves are carefully preserved without being cut, they maintain their natural shape. When hot water is poured over them, the leaves slowly unfurl—gracefully returning to the form they held at the moment of harvest.

The aroma evokes a spring tea field in full bloom—filled with cherry blossoms and fresh greenery. The liquor is exceptionally pale, with a refreshing sweetness that gently gives way to a deep, lingering umami on the second sip. This refined, elegant flavor is unlike anything found in other Japanese teas.

The Ultimate Indulgence — A Culinary Delight Unique to Phenimax Temomi-Cha

After enjoying three to four infusions, the tea leaves gently return to their beautiful, harvest-fresh form—making them perfect to enjoy as a culinary ingredient.
 We invite you to savor this rare experience by drizzling the leaves with a touch of olive oil and a pinch of salt, or with a dash of soy sauce and a splash of lemon juice.

A breath of Shizuoka’s fresh May mountain air and the delicate aroma of newly sprouted tea leaves unfold gracefully across the palate, filling the senses with a refreshing elegance.