When it comes to sourcing, we live by my grandfather's words: choose the person, not just the tea. Of course we look closely at the leaf itself, but what matters more is who grew it — we buy on trust. We know all 10 to 15 of our contracted growers by name and by face. We visit them in person and talk with them directly. We're not hunting for the cheapest tea; we're building relationships that lead growers to make tea they're genuinely proud of. That's our approach.

Shizuoka tea is known for its beautiful appearance, and a beautifully shaped leaf is proof of careful, patient rolling. Good leaves unfurl effortlessly the moment hot water touches them, becoming great tea almost on their own. Sometimes we decide to buy based on appearance alone, before we've even caught the aroma. As for color, we don't chase the vivid green most people expect — Ryogauchi tea has its own signature koganeiro, a golden amber hue. For us, aroma and flavor balance matter more than color.

We build our range around traditional cultivars, but we're equally committed to newer varieties known for their sweetness and vibrant aroma. Rather than blending a new cultivar's character away, we finish it on its own to let that character shine, then blend to match what each customer is looking for. We call this "the art of the blend."