---
title: "Den’s Tea: California Japanese Tea House Since 1923"
description: "Den’s Tea draws on family tea expertise dating to 1923, offering Uji and Nishio matcha for koicha, usucha, and culinary preparations."
image: "https://best-matcha.com/wp-content/uploads/3624-den-s-tea-youtube-logo.webp"
---
# Den’s Tea: California Japanese Tea House Since 1923

> Den’s Tea draws on family tea expertise dating to 1923, offering Uji and Nishio matcha for koicha, usucha, and culinary preparations.

Source: https://best-matcha.com/shop/dens
Created: 2025-08-16T21:52:04+00:00
Modified: 2026-08-05T13:42:20+00:00
Author: Emilie Schol

Since 1923, **Den’s Tea** has carried forward a family tradition that began when Denshiro Shirakata opened his first tea shop in Tokyo. Now spanning three generations, this family business bridges Japanese tea heritage with Southern California’s matcha community, offering *authentic ceremonial-grade matcha* sourced directly from Japanese tea gardens.

### A Century of Tea Expertise

Den’s Tea built its reputation on understanding the nuances that separate exceptional matcha from ordinary powder. The family’s century-long relationships with Japanese tea farmers ensure access to **first-flush Tencha leaves** grown under shade for approximately one month before harvest. This traditional cultivation method intensifies chlorophyll content and natural sweetness while reducing bitterness.

Each matcha grade serves a distinct purpose. The brand educates customers on the differences between Koicha (thick tea) and Usucha (thin tea) preparations, helping matcha enthusiasts select the right product for their needs.

### Comprehensive Matcha Selection

**Den’s Tea** offers a thoughtfully curated range that spans ceremonial to culinary applications:

- **Ceremonial grades** including Usucha Honyama, Organic Matcha, and Matcha Koicha for traditional tea ceremonies and mindful drinking

- **Restaurant grades** designed for lattes, smoothies, and culinary creations without compromising flavor

- Specialty options like powdered Sencha for those exploring *different Japanese tea experiences*

The brand provides detailed brewing instructions and recipes, ensuring customers extract maximum flavor and health benefits from whole-leaf consumption. Unlike steeped green tea, matcha delivers complete nutritional value including vitamin E and fiber.

### Tradition Meets Accessibility

Den’s Tea makes *authentic Japanese tea culture* approachable for modern matcha drinkers. Their educational approach demystifies matcha grades, preparation techniques, and quality indicators. Customers learn to distinguish between ceremonial and culinary applications, understanding why specific grades excel in particular uses.

The family’s three-generation perspective informs every aspect of their business, from farmer relationships to customer education. This depth of knowledge transforms casual matcha buyers into informed enthusiasts who appreciate the craftsmanship behind each tin of vibrant green powder. Den’s Tea doesn’t just sell matcha—they  a century of accumulated wisdom about Japan’s most revered tea tradition.

---

## Site identity

- Organization: Best Matcha (Emilie Schol)
- Description: Best Matcha is a specialized marketplace and educational platform for comparing Japanese matcha brands, products, grades, prices, and preparation guidance. It connects tea enthusiasts with producers and provides source-conscious guides for making informed choices.
- Website: https://best-matcha.com


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