Den's Tea

Overview

Den's Tea is a specialist importer and retailer of Japanese green teas, operating an online store in Southern California since 2000 as a subsidiary of Shirakata-Denshiro Shoten in Japan. It focuses on loose leaf teas, matcha, and tea bags sourced directly from Shizuoka Prefecture, stored in climate-controlled facilities to maintain freshness. The brand emphasizes authentic tea varieties and provides information on Japanese tea culture and health benefits.¹²⁵⁷

History

Shirakata-Denshiro Shoten was founded in 1923 by Denshiro Shirakata in Tokyo as a wholesale tea distributor, later relocating to Shizuoka for direct farmer access and expanding into retail, processing, and mail-order sales. Masanori Den Shirakata, the third-generation leader, became president of SDS in 1996 after hands-on experience in tea production. In 2000, he established Den's Tea in California to import and distribute authentic Japanese green teas to North America, building on family expertise.³⁴⁵⁶

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All teas are grown in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and manufactured by parent company Shirakata-Denshiro Shoten using traditional methods like steaming and stone-grinding. Products are packaged there and shipped directly to California for chilled storage. No outsourcing beyond family operations is indicated.²⁵⁷

Notable Products

• Shincha - First-flush new tea harvested and processed within days in Shizuoka.
• Ceremonial Grade Matcha - High-quality stone-ground matcha for traditional tea ceremonies.
• Sencha - Standard steamed green tea representing core Shizuoka production.
• Gyokuro - Shaded premium tea with rich umami flavor.
• Den-chan Inspired Blends - Teas linked to the family mascot from brand heritage.

Reputation

Den's Tea is regarded by enthusiasts for delivering fresh, authentic Japanese greens direct from Shizuoka, with climate control preserving quality better than typical imports. Professionals note its third-generation expertise and focus on traditional processing as strengths in the North American market. Limited scale and niche online presence may restrict broader awareness, with no major criticisms identified.¹³⁴