JAPANESE GREEN TEA HIBIKI-AN

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Handpainted Glasses, Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl
Limited Edition in Summer
Main Topic
[Limited] Handpainted Glasses, Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl (Summer)
Seasonal Topics & Items
Shincha News Flash! (Efforts to Keep Tea Leaves in Good Condition)
Shincha Matcha and Gyokuro are Now Available! (Limited)
Shincha is Now Available!
(Notice) Our New Website / New Smartphone-optimized Website
Dear Sir and Madam,
We at Hibiki-an THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your continued patronage and support. We are pleased to offer useful information for your healthy life and continued enjoyment of Japanese green tea. In this issue, we talk about 'Handpainted Glasses, Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl (Summer)'.

[Limited] Handpainted Glasses, Elegant Yunomi & Matcha Bowl (Summer)

We have arranged for some glass tea ware and porcelain, which are all limited edition only available this summer season. They are all designed with modern, sophisticated style, while others use traditional handcrafted techniques for a more traditional design. They will all expand in application depending on your idea. Please take a look.
[Limited] TAKE SANKAKUZU (handpainted glass: pair): US$110.00 (Now Available)
Drawing patterns of this pair of sophisticated tumbler glasses are designed in the motif of a traditional paintings of artisans who revived or established flourish schools which both played the most significant role in Japanese painting history...
[Limited] TAKEZU (handpainted glass: 330ml): US$65.00 (Now Available)
This drawing pattern is designed in the motif of a traditional painting called TAKE TORAZU, which was originally drawn by Tanyu Kano (1602 - 1672). He was the great ancestor who revived the KANO school which played the most significant role in Japanese painting history...
[Limited] SANKAKUZU (handpainted glass: 330ml): US$65.00 (Now Available)
This drawing pattern is designed in the motif of a traditional drawing pattern called KAKUZU, which was originally drawn by Hohitsu Sakai (1761 - 11829). This looks like the cranes are standing in the water (bottom of glass); a beautiful effect...
[Limited] HANA KESSHO TamaYunomi -Pair (handcrafted Teacup): US$98.00
(Now Available) This item is finished by the technique called Crystal glaze. HANA of this name means flower and KESSHO means crystal in Japanese. This porcelain Yunomi creates an aura of unique pleasant cooling sensation. It is said that it is very difficult for porcelain or earthenware to create a cooling sensation...
- Single: click below
[Limited] HANA KESSHO TamaYunomi White (handcrafted Teacup): US$57.00
[Limited] HANA KESSHO TamaYunomi Blue (handcrafted Teacup): US$57.00
[Limited] HANA KESSHO HANADA (handcrafted Matcha Bowl): US$106.00 (Now Available)
This Matcha bowl is flat and open style. The flat style was originally developed in order to choreograph coolness in the summer season in the Middle Ages. This HANADA color is quite elegant and beautiful like a clear blue sky or crystal clear aqua ocean...
Teapots / Cups category: click here
Matcha Bowls / Accessories category: click here
Are you enjoying your green moments? Hibiki-an encourages those who love to drink green tea. If you have any requests or questions regarding our teas or services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely hope that you enjoy genuine Hibiki-an Japanese green tea direct to you from Kyoto, Japan.
Sincerely yours,
Atsushi Yasui

Seasonal Topics & Items

Shincha News Flash! (Harvest at the Birthplace of Uji Tea)

We have been following the green tea sprouts from early spring when the tea trees put out their first new buds to the harvest of Shincha, the first tea of the year. Now, we bring you the latest breaking news and information from Hibiki-an's tea farm in Ujitawara in Kyoto!

Around June 20: (Efforts to Keep Tea Leaves in Good Condition)

Packaging in 20kg vacuum sealed bags
Cold storage chamber
Certification of Multiresidue GC Analysis. This analytical method covers 230 analytes. No analytes are detected.
Report of heavy metal analysis
Certification of non-radiation

Efforts to Keep Tea Leaves in Good Condition:

We make continuous efforts at every single step from harvest of tea leaves to delivery to our customers. This encompasses the harvest, finishing process, storage at the factory, delivery, and ends with our customers all over the world being able to enjoy a farm-fresh cup of Japanese green tea.

"Aracha" tea leaves, just after harvest and processing by farmers, are brought to the factory. "Aracha" tea leaves are finished: sorted, dried, blended, and on so on. Then they are vacuum packed in 20kg (44.1lb) bags, and stored in a special cold storage chamber. Temperature in the cold storage chamber is kept at about 5C (41F) throughout the year.
The finished tea leaves are repackaged into smaller size bags just before shipment to our customers around the world. The remaining tea leaves are vacuum packed and stored in the cold storage chamber again. The smaller size bags are packaged with nitrogen in order to keep the tea in good condition even during international delivery.
The harvest season is the busiest time of year not only for farmers but also for the factory. All "Aracha" tea leaves can't be finished at one time. In fact, more than half of the unfinished "Aracha" tea leaves are vacuum packed and stored in the cold storage chamber until after the busy harvest season is over. The average tea factory handles ten to several hundred tons (1000 kilo grams) of tea leaves per year.

In the case of Matcha, tea leaves are stored in a cold storage chamber as "Tencha" tea leaves before being ground into the fine powder known as Matcha. Tencha is ground into Matcha just before shipment to the customer. If the finely powdered Matcha was stored for a longer time, it would more easily deteriorate.
As above, it is most important to vacuum pack or nitrogen pack the tea leaves at every single step just after "Aracha" tea leaves are brought into the factory, in order to keep the tea in ideal condition throughout the year. These processes protect the tea leaves from oxygen, heat, moisture, and light, and require a surprising amount of time and effort.

Analysis of Tea Leaves:

We periodically ask a third party laboratory to analyze our teas for residual pesticides, heavy metals, radiation, and so on, to ensure safety. Attached are images of the analysis report on this year's crops. No suspicious analytes were detected.

As above, our teas are continuously and strictly inspected. We strongly believe that ensuring the absolute safety of our products is most important. It is our sincere wish that our customers enjoy our teas at ease, with the knowledge that they can depend on us to provide them with a safe and wholesome product.

Shincha teas:

Shincha (the first tea of the year) is now available. We have arranged to add some limited edition Shincha items only available this Shincha harvest season, featuring a few regular Sencha items with especially enjoyable Shincha flavor. Celebrate our first tea harvest of the year with Hibiki-an's Shincha and enjoy the remarkable fresh flavor, which can only be experienced once every year!
What is Shincha?: click here

Shincha Matcha and Gyokuro are Now Available! (Limited)

The Matcha and Gyokuro harvest started around May 20. Traditionally, Matcha and Gyokuro are aged for several months after harvest to gain a more complex, enriched flavor. However, today's tea connoisseurs desire the fresh flavor of Matcha and Gyokuro just after harvest.

At last we have arranged Shincha Matcha with an amazing flavor that is not only refreshing but also deeply smooth and mellow, so our customers can try this fresh new style of Matcha.

We are also pleased to offer Shincha Gyokuro, which is now available. Would you try the refreshing aroma and smooth, mellow taste of Shincha Matcha and Shincha Gyokuro which can be enjoyed only at harvest time?
[Limited] Shincha Matcha (30g/1.06oz): US$28.00 (Now Available)
Recently, Shincha Matcha is enjoyed mainly among teachers or masters of tea ceremony. They enjoy the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha. And they feel delight of the spring season, inspired by the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha...
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g / 4.23oz): US$90.00 (Now Available)
This Shincha Matcha Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 20%. Over time, the refreshing aroma will moderate and the flavor will enrich, so that you can enjoy a subtle variation of aroma and flavor with each refill...
[Limited] Shincha Gyokuro (80g/2.82oz): US$25.00 (Now Available)
With our Shincha Gyokuro you can enjoy both the refreshing aroma of Shincha and the mellow smooth taste of Gyokuro in one cup of tea. In the tea industry, it is called "Kabuse Cha"...
Customer Reviews of Shincha Matcha: click here
Customer Reviews of Shincha Gyokuro: click here

Shincha is Now Available!

At last, the Shincha Harvest started here in the Uji region!
Shincha teas are now available. We have arranged to add four limited edition Shincha items only available this Shincha harvest season, featuring a few regular Sencha items with especially enjoyable Shincha flavor. And other Sencha regular items are planned to be replaced later by Shincha step by step. Celebrate our first tea harvest of the year with Hibiki-an's Shincha and enjoy the remarkable fresh flavor which can only be experienced once every year!

Limited edition Shincha items

All items below are limited edition of 1,200 packages each ONLY AVAILABLE this spring harvest season. We have arranged various types of Shincha, which will be specially finished to enjoy Shincha's refreshing aroma and flavor. For more information regarding each item, please click on the links below. We hope you will enjoy the refreshing aroma and smooth flavor of each Shincha item!
[Limited] Shincha Traditional (80g/2.82oz): US$27.00 (Now Available)
These tea leaves are finished in the traditional Uji/Kyoto style. Therefore the astringent refreshing aroma and mellow flavor are prominent, and the harmony is excellent...
[Limited] Shincha Fukamushi (80g/2.82oz): US$22.00 (Now Available)
Saemidori breed brings us pleasure in the springtime, to consider the unique flavor and early-ripening. Enjoy the sweet and smooth taste unique to this tea, as well as the fresh aroma...
[Limited] Farmers' Shincha (160g/5.64oz): US$28.00 (Now Available)
Enjoy the natural taste and refreshing aroma of this "Aracha" Shincha at an affordable price. "Aracha" is unprocessed tea that Japanese farmers have been enjoying for centuries...
[Limited] Shincha Gyokuro (80g/2.82oz): US$25.00 (Now Available)
With our Shincha Gyokuro you can enjoy both the refreshing aroma of Shincha and the mellow smooth taste of Gyokuro in one cup of tea. In the tea industry, it is called "Kabuse Cha"...
[Limited] Shincha Matcha (30g/1.06oz): US$28.00 (Now Available)
Recently, Shincha Matcha is enjoyed mainly among teachers or masters of tea ceremony. They enjoy the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha. And they feel delight of the spring season, inspired by the fresh flavor of Shincha Matcha...
[Limited] Shincha Matcha Refill (120g / 4.23oz): US$90.00 (Now Available)
This Shincha Matcha Refill package is an excellent value. The price is actually discounted 20%. Over time, the refreshing aroma will moderate and the flavor will enrich, so that you can enjoy a subtle variation of aroma and flavor with each refill...

Regular Sencha teas with especially enjoyable Shincha flavor

We chose three regular teas especially recommended to enjoy Shincha's remarkable refreshing aroma and fresh and smooth flavor.
[Shincha] Sencha Pinnacle (40g/1.41oz): US$28.00 (Now Available)
Sencha Pinnacle, which is the highest quality Sencha produced in Japan,is the same type of tea which has been presented to the Japanese emperor for many years. This item is grown at the same tea farm with tea that has been presented to the Japanese Emperor, and harvested in the same way, picked by skilled hands...
[Shincha] Sencha Super Premium (40g/1.41oz): US$22.00 (Now Available)
Sencha Super Premium, along with our Sencha Pinnacle, is the highest quality Sencha produced in Japan. Each leaf is specially selected and carefully picked by our farmers' skilled hands. With this special tea, you can enjoy the same Shincha flavor enjoyed by Japanese Emperors...
[Shincha] Organic Sencha Premium (100g/3.53oz): US$25.00 (Now Available)
Organic Sencha's harvest generally starts 7 to 10 days later than conventional grown Sencha. The feature of the flavor is very simple and traditional. We imagine that the Shincha flavor enjoyed hundreds of years ago in historical Japan was just like this. Would you enjoy the simple Shincha flavor that was enjoyed long, long ago?...
What is Shincha?: click here
Replacement Status of Regular Teas by New Crop: click here

(Notice) Our New Website / New Smartphone-optimized Website

We recently launched a brand new website to provide an enhanced customer experience. The new design enables you to navigate and interact with the site more easily, including:
- Finding and ordering items from your order history.
- Searching for items more easily in our tea and tea ware shop.
- Enjoying seasonal topics more easily.
Our new smartphone-optimized website launched too. Would you check once?

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Japanese Green Tea Hibiki-an
36 Shimonoto Yuyadani Ujitawara, Kyoto 610-0221 Japan
http://www.hibiki-an.com