05/21/2026
📸 shot in: uji, kyoto | 2026 first harvest
every year around this time, we come back to japan for the first harvest of tencha
first harvest, or ichibancha (一番茶), refers to the first picking of the year, usually between late april and early may. these are the youngest tea leaves of the season and contain the highest concentration of nutrients and antioxidants after resting dormant throughout winter.
with matcha, there are a variety of shading techniques, and what you’re seeing here is called tana shading. the tencha is shaded for about 20 to 45 days before harvest, blocking most direct sunlight. this slows photosynthesis, increases chlorophyll content which gives matcha its vibrant green color, and boosts amino acids like L-theanine, resulting to more sustained energy without the crash when consumed.
and that’s what makes first harvest matcha so special 💚
