Mighty Leaf

Mighty Leaf Tea emerged from the vision of Gary Shinner and Jill Portman in 1996, who sought to redefine the tea experience through artfully blended whole leaf teas. Their journey began with Tea & Company, a boutique tea house in San Francisco, which continues to serve as their ultra-premium line gracing the finest hotels and resorts worldwide.

The company’s revolutionary approach centered on whole leaf teas, a bold departure from competitors who relied on fannings and dust. This commitment to quality led to their signature innovation: iconic silken tea pouches that preserved the integrity of their carefully selected leaves.

Their matcha represents the pinnacle of Japanese tea craftsmanship, sourced from the renowned regions of Kagoshima and Shizuoka. The leaves undergo traditional gyokuro cultivation, where plants are shade-grown for approximately three weeks before harvest. This ancient technique boosts chlorophyll levels and L-theanine content, creating the characteristic vibrant green color and smooth, umami-rich flavor profile.

The transformation from leaf to powder follows time-honored methods: careful steaming to halt oxidation, precise drying into tencha, and slow stone-milling using traditional granite mills. This meticulous process preserves the delicate flavor compounds and aromatic qualities that define ceremonial-grade matcha.

Mighty Leaf’s matcha embodies the principles of Chado (the Japanese tea ceremony), designed for whisking into the frothy, emerald elixir central to this meditative ritual. The resulting cup delivers subtle almond notes, rich umami depth, and a smooth, vegetal character without harshness.