Sencha is the tea most Japanese households drink every day, and it accounts for the large majority of the country's green tea production. The leaves are grown in full sun, then steamed within hours of picking to stop oxidation before it starts â the step that separates Japanese green tea from Chinese pan-fired styles. Rolling and drying follow, shaping the leaf into the thin dark needles you see in the bag. In the cup it is fresh and grassy with a clean astringency, and the balance shifts with the water: cooler water pulls the sweetness and umami forward, hotter water brings out the briskness. One portion of leaf will give you two or three good infusions, each a little different from the last.
Tea Artisan: ZenkouenăăShizuoka
When we first met the farmer, Yoshimitsu Masuda, he gave us a tour around his tea field just as the sun was beginning to go down. We saw two Serow, a type of wild Japanese goat, grazing on the tea field. One of the positives about these organic tea fields is that they are not only great for growing tea plants, they can also support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Because these other plants were able to grow around the tea field, larger animals such as Serow and wild pigs are able to feel at home in this habitat. It is good to know that this farmer is able to produce not only great tasting tea, but also a healthy ecosystem!
Origin: ShizuokaJapan
This sencha superior Zenkouen is made in Shizuoka, on the small farm of Zenkouen in Hamamatsu. In November of 2019 we got to see the farm of Zenkouen and were impressed by the sustainability methods used by the farmer. The tea field is full of life, with a diverse array of plants and animals able to coexist along with the tea plants. The farmer uses a type of fertilizer made by combining charcoal with seashells and various other composted ingredients. This allows him to create nutrient rich soil, without introducing unnatural elements to the tea field.
Cultivar: YabukitaTea variety
The Sencha Superior Zenkouen is made from the Yabukita cultivar, the most common tea plant variety in Japan.
Yabukita: Yabukita is the most popular type of green tea in Japan, making up 75% of total tea production. It is a tougher variety, which allows it to withstand the colder temperatures of Shizuoka. The flavor is exactly what people look for in a Japanese green tea, with a strong umami and steamed vegetable flavor.
Preparation & ServingsUp to 60 cups
Hot brew: 5 g of leaves, 150 ml of water at 60°C (140°F), 1 minute.
Brew it again: the same leaves give 3 infusions. Re-infuse 2 more times with water at the same temperature, 20 seconds each; every infusion tastes a little different.
Cold brew: best enjoyed hot, we do not recommend cold brewing this tea.
One pack: Up to 60 cups · 20 à 5 g servings, 3 infusions each · 100 g / 3.5 oz.
Why choose Nio Teas?
For us, tea is more than a beverage, itâs a way of life. Weâve spent years visiting tea farms across Japan, tasting teas with the people who grow them and building lasting, direct relationships. We believe this is the most sustainable way to source tea: fewer intermediaries, greater traceability and a closer connection between farmer and drinker.
Every tea is 100% pesticide-free and carefully selected for its taste, origin and craftsmanship. Whether youâre discovering Japanese tea or comparing cultivars and terroirs, youâll find honest tasting notes, precise brewing guidance and real support to help you get the best from every cup.
Typical values per 100 ml of brewed tea, from the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (MEXT, 8th edition), sencha infusion (food no. 16037; 10 g leaf, 430 ml water at 90°C, 1 min). Values in your cup vary with the leaf, the water and the brewing time.
Complete Your Tea RitualNo Kyusu at home? No problem!
100% Pesticide-FreeDirect from FarmersPure & UnblendedSingle-Origin TerroirSmall-Batch HarvestAuthentic Japanese Craft
Unveiling Sencha's Superfood Power
•
Caffeine
Natural caffeine for a gentle, sustained lift.
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Antioxidants
Rich in catechins and other naturally occurring antioxidants.
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Chlorophyll
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, the pigment behind matchaâs vibrant green colour.
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Potassium & Calcium
Naturally occurring minerals that contribute to matchaâs nutritional profile.
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L-theanine
An amino acid naturally found in tea, associated with a calm, focused feeling.
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Vitamins A, C, E & K
Contains a range of vitamins naturally present in the whole tea leaf.
Why Buy Your Sencha from Nio Teas
No middlemen, no pesticides, no risk.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try it with confidence. If it isnât right for you, contact us within 30 days.
15 Japanese Tea Farmers
Our tea brings together the craft and regional expertise of 15 partner farmers across Japan.
Direct from Farmer to Cup
We build lasting relationships with our farmers for fewer intermediaries and greater traceability.
100% Pesticide-Free Sencha
Every Sencha is grown without pesticides, then personally tasted and selected by our team.
How to Make Sencha Like a Pro
To prepare this Sencha Superior Zenkouen, you can use a lower temperature water and a shorter brewing time. This should be more than enough to extract plenty of flavors from the tea leaves without releasing too much of the bitterness.
Heat the Water
Heat water to 60°C (140°F).
Add the Leaves
Add 5 g of leaves to a kyusu teapot.
Steep
Pour 150 ml of water and steep for 1 minute.
Pour & Brew Again
Pour out every drop, then brew the same leaves 2 more times (20 seconds each).
Loose Leaf Tea Over Teabags
Rich in Flavor, Not in Microplastics.
Farmer: Zenkouenăă
Why Organic Sencha Fields Make a Difference
Tea plants absorb everything from the soil, making pesticide-free farming especially important. The farmers we work with have found a way to grow delicious tea without harming the natural ecosystem.
Nio teas has been my favourite place to purchase good quality teas for a while now, and still they never disappoint me. Their teas are excellent quality, however, Iâd like to give more attention to customer service - Nio team has been very kind and helpful each time I had any sort of problem. Their customer service never disappoints, they are very attentive and quick in responding to any queries, hence why Iâve been a loyal customer for a while now.
Apr 1, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Sean
My favorite vendor for Japanese organic loose leaf green teas. They are sourcing some of the best organic teas out of Japan and supporting family farmers and the growing organic tea industry as a whole.I have ordered from every vendor for years and Nio consistently has the best prices and selection overall. They provide top notch customer service and fast shipping as well. Highly recommended đ
Shipping is free once your order passes the threshold for your country â USD 54.99 · EUR 54.99 · GBP 44.99 · CHF 49.99 · CAD 74.99 · DKK 399 · SEK 599 · PLN 229 · CZK 1,290. Everywhere else it's the equivalent of USD 54.99, converted automatically. Below the threshold a flat rate applies, always shown at checkout before you pay.
When will it arrive?
Delivery in 4â12 Business Days Due to High Demand
We ship from warehouses in the US, the EU and Japan â whichever is closest to you. US and EU orders arrive in 4â12 business days; the handful of countries served from Japan take around 10. Business days count from dispatch rather than from when you order, and exclude weekends and public holidays. You'll get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves the warehouse.
We only buy from fields grown without pesticides or chemicals. We ask each farmer directly how they manage their land, visit the plantation and processing facility ourselves, taste every harvest before committing, and check that the biodiversity around the fields is alive. Small family farms don't always carry paperwork â so we verify it in person instead.
Japanese green tea covers an enormous range, and choosing online isn't easy. If you've tried yours and it isn't for you, email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a line on what you didn't enjoy. We'll send a different tea of equal or lower value, free. Nothing to post back â keep it, share it, or try brewing it cooler. Once per order.
Email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a photo. We'll approve it, cover the return postage with a prepaid label or a reimbursement, and refund you â no restocking fee. Refunds go to your original payment method within 2 business days of the return reaching us; your bank may take another 5â20 to show it.
Unopened items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Tea is sealed for hygiene, so opened packs can't come back â but the swap above covers exactly that situation. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived damaged, defective or incorrect.
Orders to the US and EU ship domestically from our local warehouse, so there's no customs charge and no duty. A small number of destinations are served from our Japan warehouse, where your own customs authority may apply import duty, VAT or a carrier handling fee on delivery. Those are set by your country, not by us. Ask before you order and we'll help you check.
