The Japanese maxim 一期一会 (ichigo ichie), which serves as the motto for all tea ceremonies, can be roughly translated into English as 'Every encounter happens only once.' Even if one uses the same tea for brewing, each time the drink will have a slightly different taste, making each tea session a unique experience. Moreover, just one cup of delicious tea can bring incomparable peace and tranquillity, or, conversely, evoke delight and surprise.

Despite the wide variety of tea and the culture surrounding it, we dare to assert that the concept of 'specialty' is just as applicable to tea as it is to coffee. First and foremost, only tea grown in the most natural way, without the use of pesticides and other 'supports and crutches,' can be included in the 'specialty' category. In addition to its exceptional taste qualities, such tea also has significant health benefits. For example, the right balance of L-theanine and caffeine positively affects the psyche: specialty tea induces a state of 'calm alertness,' soothing and focusing the mind while helping one to relax.

Another feature that distinguishes specialty products is the equal importance of the preparation process and the final result, including such subtle aspects as the mindset of the end consumer and their readiness to fully appreciate the experience. This is especially true for tea, which is why several ceremonial traditions with centuries-old histories have formed around it. Whether it’s matcha or sencha, the time spent heating water, letting it cool, and brewing the tea gives us a rare opportunity to slow down in our ever-accelerating world. And observing how tea masters prepare this noble beverage brings no less profound peace and pleasure than drinking it.