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Shincha

新茶, ichibancha

7.3/10 editor's score

The first sencha of the year. Picking starts in the south of Japan, where Kagoshima is a major green tea region, and moves north with spring.

First flushSeasonalJapan
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Shincha, top-down

What you need

3 g leafShincha
250 ml water70 to 80°C
Steep 1:003 steeps
LiquorGreenish gold
Served inKyūsu and yunomi

At a glance

The first sencha of the year.

CaffeineMedium~20 to 40 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit7.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestEarly April to late MayEarly April to late May [1].
Pairs withWagashi, Sashimi, Spring greensLess good with heavy spice
Grown atLowland and plateauKagoshima, Southern Kyushu
Served inKyūsu and yunomiJapanese teapot, tall cup

About Shincha

What sources say about the taste

Sources say shincha is considered the most delicious sencha 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

KagoshimaSouthern KyushuJAPAN
Meaning
"New tea": the first month's sencha 1
Season
Early April to late May 1
Tradition
Around the 88th day after Setsubun 1
Kagoshima
Green tea is a leading export 2

More from Kagoshima and Japan.

History and culture

Drinking the first tea of spring is said to bring a year of good health 1.

Editor's score

7.3/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.0Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 6.0Value: 6.5Beginner-friendliness: 7.5Versatility: 6.5Flavour 8.0Heritage 8.0Availability 6.0Value 6.5Beginners 7.5Versatility 6.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Shincha~20 to 40 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Picking begins in the south and moves north 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

First-flush Camellia sinensis leaves 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

First flush 1.

02Steaming

15 to 20 seconds 1.

03Rolling

Rolled into needles 1.

04Drying

Dried and sorted 1.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafFine, glossy emerald needles.
LiquorGreenish gold 1.
After steeping
Wet leafTender bright leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Wagashi
  • Sashimi
  • Spring greens

Best avoided

  • Heavy spice

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

Shincha is the first picking (ichibancha) 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Drink within a few months.
  2. Keep sealed and cool.
FAQ
Shincha or sencha?

Shincha is the year's first sencha 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from JapanKagoshimaFirst flushSeasonalJapan

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Sencha". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sencha
  2. Wikipedia, "Kagoshima Prefecture". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima_Prefecture
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.