Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Tea

• Where are your teas from?

  All of our teas are sourced from local tea farms in various regions across Japan. Our teapots, tea accessories, and teaware are all handcrafted by Japanese artisans.

• Are your teas organic?

  All of our teas are JAS-certified organic by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan. Organic cultivation is to grow agricultural crops in a historic way before modern agriculture, without any chemical fertilizer or pesticides, using only natural organic fertilizer. Organic tea is full of nutrients with a simple and robust flavor.

• Do you use pesticides?

  In Japan, conventionally-grown teas are strictly controlled in the use of pesticides by the Concentration Standard of Residual Agricultural Chemicals in Japan. The Concentration Standard of Residual Agricultural Chemicals, established in 2006 in Japan, allows only 0.01ppm of residual concentration. The criterion measure level is more stringent than anywhere else in the world. You can be assured that our conventionally-grown teas are met with the highest standards.

• Are your teas gluten free?

  All of our green teas and herbal teas are gluten-free. The only exception is Mugicha Barley Tea which is made from barley, a type of grain that contains gluten.

  Despite the word “wheat” in its name, Buckwheat (sobacha) is naturally gluten-free grain related to the rhubarb plant. It’s a versatile grain that can be steamed and eaten in place of rice, or the whole seeds can be ground into fine flour. Buckwheat has high levels of fiber and is a great source of protein.

• Do you offer tea bags and are they safe?

  In an effort to support a sustainable planet, we want to reduce waste. Currently, we do not offer tea bag products at this time.

  However, in the past, all of our tea bags were carefully packed with organic loose-leaf tea in pyramid-shaped corn fiber mesh tea bags for quick and easy brewing. PLA Corn Fiber is a new environmentally friendly material that does not include microplastics. See this article for more detail.

• How long does the tea stay fresh for?

  At Senbird, we guarantee fresh quality for one year after breaking open the bag. You can still drink the tea after the indicated “Best before” date, but the flavor and aroma may fade over time. This is why our teas come in airtight tea tins to maintain freshness for longer.

Brewing & Freshness

• What is the best way to store the tea?

  It is best practice to store your tea in a dry, dark, and cool location for long-lasting aroma and flavor. Our airtight tea tins are designed to prevent sunlight and moisture in order to maintain the freshness of your tea for longer.

  If you want to upgrade your tea storage for special teas, we recommend investing in a Tea Canister that is made from materials designed to keep your tea fresh while looking beautiful in your space.

• Can the teas be made cold?

  Yes! All of the tea varieties can be enjoyed both hot and cold. Japanese green tea and herbal tea are especially refreshing cold during the hot Spring and Summer months.

  Depending on the tea, the easiest way is to do a regular hot brew and chill them in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

  However, each tea can also be cold brewed by letting it steep in cold water in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Note that this method may bring out astringency in some green teas when left to steep for a long time. For more guidance and recommendations on how to cold brew, read more on our blog.

• How many times can I resteep the tea?

  All of our teas can be re-steeped up to 3 times. The 3rd steep will usually be lighter in flavor and aroma. If you want to make the later steeps bolder, simply add half the amount of fresh tea before adding water.

Subscriptions

• When will I be billed for my subscription each month?

  Once you are subscribed to our refill program, you will be billed for your first subscription refill on the 15th or last day of the next month. The date depends on when you signed up for the subscription.

  If you signed up for the subscription before the 15th, you will be billed on the 15th of the following month that you set up for delivery. If you signed up for the subscription after the 15th, you will be billed on the last day of the following month that you set up for delivery.

• Are there any additional fees, such as shipping or taxes?

  Depending on your location and order amount, there may be taxes and shipping fees included.

  Taxes are subject to the state in which you’re located.

  If you subscribe to a quantity of 2+ refills of the same tea, you will be eligible for free shipping.

• What is the estimated delivery time for my subscription refills?

  We will ship out subscription orders on the 15th and last day of every month. Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information.

• I'm almost running out of tea and my subscription won't arrive in time for a refill! What are my options?

  We are happy to help! It brings us joy to know that you are reusing and refilling your tea tins.

  Simply reach out to us at hello@senbirdtea.com and someone from our team will update your subscription to deliver earlier.

• How do I pause, cancel, or reactivate my subscription?

  We want to ensure that you have full control over your refill experience. This is why our subscriptions are set to a monthly basis so you can cancel at any time.

  If you want to pause, cancel, or reactive your subscription at any time, please visit your Account dashboard to make changes.

  Struggling to make updates? Feel free to reach out to our team at hello@senbirdtea.com. We’re happy to help!

• Can I gift a subscription to someone else?

  Definitely! We would be delighted for you to share the goodness of Japanese tea with someone else. Simply make the purchase and enter the recipient’s mailing address in the “Shipping” section. They will receive the subscription until you decide to cancel.

Shipping Policy

• What is your Domestic Shipping Policy?

  Shipment processing time: All orders are processed within 1-3 business days. Orders are not shipped or delivered on weekends or holidays. Estimated shipping times do not include order processing times. Friday orders after 1:30 pm EST will be processed on the next business day.

  *If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. Please allow additional days in transit for delivery. If there is a significant delay in the shipment of your order, we will contact you via email or telephone.

  Shipping rates & delivery estimates

  Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout. All orders over $49 are automatically eligible for free shipping. Note that delivery delays can occasionally occur so please check your tracking information in the Completed order email for updates.

  Shipment to P.O. boxes or APO/FPO addresses

  Senbird Tea ships to addresses within the U.S., U.S. Territories, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses.

  Shipment confirmation & Order tracking

  You will receive a Completed Order confirmation email once your order has shipped, containing your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.

  Customs, Duties, and Taxes

  Senbird Tea is not responsible for any customs and taxes applied to your order. All fees imposed during or after shipping are the responsibility of the customer (tariffs, taxes, etc.).

• What is your International Shipping Policy?

  Typically shipments arrive within 10-21 days but please allow up to 30 days depending on the custom situation in your country. Unfortunately, since we have no control over customs, we can’t guarantee the delivery date. In addition, we are not responsible for any duty/import taxes/customs charges you may incur.

  We are also not responsible for any deliverable/unclaimed/lost/stolen packages.* Before shipping your package, our team will reach out to confirm your phone number for shipment tracking purposes. For more information about international shipments, please contact your country’s customs.

  *Senbird Tea is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen packages*

Customer Service

• What is your policy for damaged or unsatisfactory products?

  At Senbird, we have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee policy where we are committed to providing you with the highest quality products. If you are not satisfied, please contact us within 30 days of the delivery date (as indicated via tracking number) to initiate a return. See our Return Policy for more details.

  If products arrive damaged, please reach out to us at hello@senbirdtea.com with a photo of the damage with your message and we are happy to send a replacement.

• I bought this tea for the health benefits but I’m not seeing any change. Why?

  Statements regarding dietary support and health benefits have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. All health benefits and details about each ingredient are gathered from published scientific research and studies.

  If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before consumption. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

• Do you offer wholesale pricing?

  Yes, and thank you for your interest! We offer wholesale pricing for all types of businesses including cafes, retailers, specialty markets, offices, gift shops, private events, and more. Our team will aim to provide recommendations that are best tailored to meet your goals.

  Please send your inquiry on the Wholesale page.