For the regular selection, why is the new harvest of tea not available right after it is picked?

The new harvest of tea has a powerful, just-picked character. (To experience this special character yourself, look for our release of new harvest sencha, Shincha, in summer.)

In our regular selection, we prefer teas with a consistent and relaxed, matured character. To produce this character in the tea, we set aside the new harvest of tea for a period of months, in a freshness-ensuring environment. After its character has developed maturity, depth, and complexity, we begin to add it to the respective blend of tea a little at a time.