OUR STORY
Shota and Celia, the visionary founders of Senbird Tea, nurture a profound love for tea, a legacy inherited from their tea-loving family. They've always found solace and tranquility in the daily ritual of sipping tea together, which has become an integral part of their wellness-focused lifestyle.
Frequent visits to Japan, where they uncovered the exceptional quality and diversity of teas, opened their eyes to the disparity in tea offerings back home in the United States. This prompted them on a transformative journey to connect directly with Japan's passionate tea farmers. While immersing themselves in the art and traditions of tea-making, they forged enduring bonds with these dedicated farmers.
AUTHENTIC, HIGH-GRADE JAPANESE TEA
Inspired by the deep wisdom and unwavering dedication of these farmers, Shota and Celia are determined to share the goodness of Japanese tea with the world. From this steadfast commitment and profound respect for tea-making traditions, Senbird was born, driven by the vision of sharing Japan's finest teas and inspiring daily moments of appreciation.
"The ‘art of tea’ is a spiritual force for us to share."
– Sen no Rikyu
Empowering Wellness Through Tea Traditions
At Senbird Tea, we are on a mission to empower wellness and enhance everyday experiences through the traditions of Japanese tea. We firmly believe in the transformative potential of tea to nurture a harmonious mind, body, and spirit. Our dedication to sourcing the highest-quality teas directly from Japan's most esteemed farms ensures that you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the genuine essence of Japanese tea culture.
Tea is not just a beverage; it is a path to well-being and a reflection of the rich history that has shaped it.
Grown with care, trusted for purity
Each batch of tea is carefully cultivated by multi-generational farmers who follow traditional, responsible growing methods. Grown without synthetic chemicals or additives, our teas are produced in accordance with the strict Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS), certified by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). This reflects a deep respect for the environment, our farmers, and your well-being—ensuring every cup is as clean and natural as it is delicious.
Our Farmers
A tea producer for over 30 years who carefully nurtures his tea fields. Using nutrient-rich soil from fermented soybeans and yogurt, his specialty is umami-rich tea. His favorite is Fukamushicha, a deep-steamed sencha known for its vibrant green and robust flavor. Makiuchi-san enjoys nature and seaside visits in his leisure time.
Since the 1900s, the Tanaka family has produced quality vegetables and beans in Hokkaido. Tanaka-san upholds traditional farming techniques, creating herbal teas rich in health benefits and flavor. His favorite is Kuromame black soybean tea, made from hand-selected beans.
The Sato family, with three generations in tea harvesting, takes pride in Kyoto's matcha quality. Mr. Sato attributes the strong aroma of the leaves to Kyoto's significant day-night temperature variations. His favorite is freshly whisked matcha. Afterall, Uji averages over 50 inches of annual rainfall, providing ideal tea-growing temperatures.
Inheriting tea harvesting skills from his family, Yamamoto-san continues the tradition of handmade fertilizer. He values soil quality in producing small batch tea, emphasizing Shizuoka's prime tea-growing environment. Yamamoto-san's favorite is fresh spring-harvested Gyokuro and he enjoys gardening in his free time.
SUPPORT JAPAN's TEA FARMERS
Japan's tea culture is in crisis, with a 70% decline in local tea harvesters since the 1990s, driven by mass-produced, low-quality teas and the popularity of bottled teas. This trend has forced many small and artisanal tea farmers into retirement, risking the loss of Japan's rich tea traditions and unique flavors. Recognizing this, Senbird is dedicated to supporting these family-owned farms and heritage practices, helping to sustain and celebrate the authentic essence of Japanese tea culture.