News&Articles
2026.05.09
Shincha refers to the very first harvest of green tea!
Hello everyone! In Japan, Golden Week has passed, and the fresh green leaves outside have become even more vibrant and beautiful. Yesterday, I introduced a classic Japanese poem about fresh greenery, but today, I would like to talk about Shincha (new tea).
Shincha refers to the very first harvest of green tea leaves of the year. There is an old tradition that if you drink tea picked on the "88th night" (the 88th day after the start of spring), you will enjoy good health and stay free from illness for the entire year. Compared to regular green tea, Shincha has less bitterness, a refreshing aroma, a vivid green color, and a rich umami flavor.
In Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture is very famous for its tea. I think it is an easy and great place to visit for expats living in Tokyo or Kanagawa. Taking the time to slowly brew Shincha and enjoy its aroma is a wonderful mindfulness practice. If your fatigue from the changing seasons can't be cured by tea alone, Shizuoka is also famous for its hot springs (onsen), so relaxing there might be a great idea, too!
When I was working overseas, one thing that really surprised me was finding sugar in "green tea." In the US and other countries, sweetened green tea is quite common. It was tasty, but to be honest, as someone used to the natural, earthy bitterness of Japanese tea, it felt a bit strange to me at first.
Being able to enjoy the authentic taste of green tea in Japan is perhaps an elegant experience unique to your time living here. I highly recommend picking up some Shincha at a supermarket or convenience store and taking a moment to slowly enjoy it. Even if you aren't usually a fan of the bitter taste of green tea, you will likely enjoy Shincha because it is so much milder.
