The Matcha Harvest Calendar: Shincha, Ichibancha and Why First Flush Matters
Every spring, the Japanese tea world waits for one moment: the new harvest. For matcha buyers, understanding the matcha harvest calendar explains why some matcha is sweet and vibrant while other matcha is bold and astringent – and when to plan your wholesale orders.
Ichibancha: the first flush
Ichibancha (一番茶), the first harvest of the year, usually takes place from late April into May, depending on region and weather – earlier in the warm south (Kagoshima), later in Kyoto and Shizuoka. After winter dormancy, the plants put their stored nutrients into the first tender buds, giving the leaves the highest levels of L-theanine and the deepest umami. The finest ceremonial grade matcha is made from first flush tencha.
Hachijū-hachiya: the 88th night
Japanese tea tradition celebrates Hachijū-hachiya, the 88th night after Risshun (the traditional start of spring), which falls around 1–2 May. Tea picked around this day is considered especially auspicious and is said to bring good health for the year.
What is shincha?
Shincha (新茶) literally means "new tea" – the first, freshly processed tea of the season. The term is most often used for sencha, but the excitement of shincha season extends to the whole Japanese tea industry, including matcha producers, who process first flush leaves into tencha before grinding.
Nibancha, sanbancha and autumn harvests
Nibancha (second flush) is harvested roughly 45–50 days after the first, around June–July, followed in some regions by sanbancha and autumn picks. Later harvests produce more catechins and less theanine – a stronger, more astringent taste that is ideal for culinary grade matcha, lattes and baking.
What the new harvest means for wholesale buyers
Plan ahead: premium first flush matcha is limited and the best lots sell quickly.
Ask for the harvest year on every quote and on your COA.
Order fresh, order often: matcha is at its best in the months after grinding.
Taste the new season: each harvest varies slightly, so request new samples each year.
Our team travels to Japan to taste and select matcha in person, so we can share what each new harvest tastes like. Ask us for new harvest samples or browse our wholesale matcha range.
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ASARUMI is a Bucharest-based matcha wholesaler supplying cafés, bakeries, tea shops, food brands and distributors in Romania, across Europe and worldwide. Explore our wholesale matcha, ceremonial grade matcha, culinary grade matcha and private label matcha programmes, or contact us for wholesale pricing and a 5g sample.
About ASARUMI – Japanese Matcha Wholesale & Private Label from Bucharest, Romania
ASARUMI is a matcha wholesale and private label matcha supplier based in Bucharest, Romania, delivering organic Japanese matcha to cafés, bakeries, tea shops, food brands and distributors across Romania, Europe and worldwide. ASARUMI wholesale matcha is available with a minimum order quantity (MOQ) from 1 kg – up to bulk 20–25 kg bags and full-container volumes – so new businesses can start small and scale.
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