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Art of Tea: Direct-Sourcing Tea Blender Since 2004

Art of Tea blends three Japanese green tea varieties in first-harvest ceremonial matcha, shaded before harvest and ground at origin.
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Who is Art of Tea?

Art of Tea is a matcha brand that has sourced organic ceremonial-grade matcha directly from Japan since 2004. Its signature blend unites three shaded green tea varietals hand-harvested during the first flush, yielding a light, refreshing cup with a smooth finish.

The matcha is produced using traditional tencha methods: after a 20-day shading period, leaves are steamed, dried, de-stemmed, and stone-ground at origin in monitored environments. Direct grower relationships and careful control of moisture, light, and temperature preserve its vibrant color and calming L-theanine character.

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Direct-sourced ceremonial matcha since 2004

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Art of Tea in details

Art of Tea represents two decades of dedication to sourcing the world’s finest ceremonial grade matcha. Founded in 2004 by Steve Schwartz, the brand emerged from a deeply personal journey that began with his mother’s cancer diagnosis and extensive study at the Ayurvedic Institute. What started as one man’s quest to understand tea’s healing properties has evolved into a trusted name for matcha enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on quality.

Direct Relationships with Japanese Growers

Steve travels regularly to Japan, building relationships with elite matcha producers who have perfected their craft over generations. These aren’t transactional partnerships—they’re decade-long collaborations rooted in mutual respect and shared values. During the global matcha shortage of 2024-2025, when many brands scrambled for supply or lowered standards, Art of Tea maintained its commitment to authentic ceremonial grade matcha by honoring existing relationships rather than chasing quick solutions.

The brand sources from farmers in Shizuoka and works with families in Kyoto who have been cultivating tea for over 90 years. These growers use traditional shade-growing methods, allowing tea plants to develop the vibrant chlorophyll and umami-rich flavor profile that defines true ceremonial matcha.

Understanding What Makes Matcha Exceptional

Not all matcha is created equal. Art of Tea distinguishes itself by sourcing only tencha—shade-grown leaves that are steamed, dried, and stone-ground using methods passed down through generations. The brand refuses to cut corners with mocha (unshaded tea) or machine pulverization, processes some companies use to meet surging demand.

This attention to detail matters. The difference shows in the color, taste, and nutritional profile of the final product.

Built on Transparency and Education

Steve’s approach centers on education rather than marketing hype. He openly discusses supply chain challenges, explains the aging farmer population in Japan (average age: 70), and shares insights about what consumers should look for when evaluating matcha quality. This transparency builds trust within the matcha community.

Art of Tea’s ceremonial matcha offers more than a product—it represents a bridge between ancient Japanese tea traditions and modern wellness seekers. For those exploring matcha options on Best Matcha, this brand delivers consistent quality backed by verifiable sourcing practices and a founder who personally vets every batch.

About the Art of Tea Matcha

Art of Tea offers an organic ceremonial-grade matcha that blends three green tea varietals for a light, refreshing, and smooth cup. It is hand-blended and ground at origin in Japan to preserve freshness.

Sourcing and cultivation

The matcha comes exclusively from the first harvest of shaded Camellia sinensis plants, hand-harvested during the first flush at peak quality. Plants are shaded for roughly 20 days before harvest to build chlorophyll and theanine, giving the signature bright green color and calming character.

Processing

Traditional methods guide production: steaming, drying, de-stemming, and stone-grinding transform the leaves into tencha and then vibrant green powder. Grinding takes place in controlled environments where moisture, light, and temperature are closely monitored to protect flavor.

Harvest location

Art of Tea sources its ceremonial grade matcha from the shaded tea fields of Japan, where traditional cultivation methods have been refined over centuries, and builds direct relationships with tea growers.

Harvest

Plants are shaded for about 20 days before picking, which encourages chlorophyll development, the characteristic bright green colour, and higher levels of theanine. Only first-flush leaves, from the first spring harvest, are selected for ceremonial grade, and hand-harvesting ensures only the finest, most tender leaves are collected.

Processing

After harvest, leaves are steamed and air-dried to prevent oxidation, then separated from stems to obtain tencha. The final stone-grinding takes place in controlled environments where moisture, light, and temperature are monitored, supporting quality throughout Art of Tea's direct-sourcing process.

Art of Tea History

Art of Tea was founded in 2004 by Steve Schwartz, whose journey began at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, where an interest in Eastern medicine grew into a passion for blending herbs and botanicals. From the outset the company built its identity on direct relationships with growers, with Schwartz travelling globally as a relationship builder to secure transparent, controlled sourcing.

January 1, 2004

Steve Schwartz officially founded Art of Tea in 2004 after his journey began at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, where his interest in Eastern medicine led to a passion for blending herbs and botanicals. The company was established after catching the attention of renowned chefs including Wolfgang Puck.

January 1, 2004

From its founding, Art of Tea established its core philosophy of building direct relationships with tea growers globally rather than simply importing commodities. Steve Schwartz embarked on global journeys as a relationship builder, creating the foundation for transparent and controlled sourcing that ensures quality and mindful cultivation practices.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What distinguishes Art of Tea ceremonial matcha?

Art of Tea’s organic ceremonial-grade matcha combines three green tea varietals and is described as light, refreshing, and smooth. It uses leaves from the first harvest of shaded Camellia sinensis plants. The leaves are hand-harvested during the first flush, then processed and ground at origin in Japan to protect the matcha’s freshness, color, and flavor.

Where does Art of Tea source its matcha?

Art of Tea sources ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan and builds direct relationships with tea growers. Its record identifies farmers in Shizuoka and tea-growing families in Kyoto. The company’s sourcing approach emphasizes ongoing grower relationships, while production uses Japanese shade cultivation and traditional tencha processing before the finished tea is stone-ground under monitored conditions at origin.

How long are Art of Tea tea plants shaded before harvest?

The tea plants used for Art of Tea ceremonial matcha are shaded for about 20 days before picking. This period encourages chlorophyll development, a bright green appearance, and higher theanine levels. Art of Tea then selects first-flush leaves for ceremonial grade, with hand-harvesting used to collect the tender leaves chosen for its matcha production.

How is Art of Tea matcha processed after harvest?

After harvest, Art of Tea’s leaves are steamed and air-dried to prevent oxidation. Their stems are removed to produce tencha, which is subsequently stone-ground into matcha. Grinding occurs in a controlled environment where moisture, light, and temperature are monitored. These production controls are intended to support quality and protect the powder’s color and flavor throughout processing.

Who founded Art of Tea and what shaped its sourcing approach?

Steve Schwartz founded Art of Tea in 2004 after studying at the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico, where his interest in Eastern medicine developed into a passion for herbs and botanicals. From its beginning, the company emphasized direct relationships with growers. Schwartz traveled globally as a relationship builder to create a more transparent and controlled sourcing process.