Product Offerings
Products:
Japanese Green Tea: Sencha, Gyokuro, Matcha, Kukicha, Hojicha, Genmaicha, Kabusecha, Tamaryokucha, Japanese Black Tea
Specialty Teas: White Leaf Sencha
Sara's Tea Caddie, LLC is a New York-based importer and distributor specializing in premium Japanese green teas. Founded and managed by Sara Kadowaki, the company is dedicated to offering authentic, small-batch Japanese teas that represent the highest standards of craftsmanship, freshness, and tradition. The business has carved a niche for itself in the U.S. specialty tea market, focusing on direct imports from artisan growers in Japan.
Core Business and Offerings
Sara's Tea Caddie primarily focuses on importing and distributing traditional Japanese green teas. Their portfolio includes a wide range of specialty teas such as:
- Sencha
- Gyokuro
- Matcha
- Kukicha
- Hojicha
- Genmaicha
- Kabusecha
- Tamaryokucha
- Japanese Black Tea
- White Leaf Sencha (a specialty premium offering)
Each tea is sourced directly from small family-owned farms in regions like Uji, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima, ensuring traceability and sustainability. The company maintains long-standing relationships with these producers, enabling access to limited-edition teas not typically available in the mass market.
Specialization and USP
What distinguishes Sara’s Tea Caddie is its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. The company:
- Works only with first flush (Ichibancha) teas, renowned for their superior flavor and aroma.
- Emphasizes single-origin and single-harvest teas, showcasing the unique terroir of each farm.
- Offers farm-to-cup traceability, ensuring end-to-end quality control.
- Sells teas that are vacuum-sealed and air-shipped immediately after harvest to retain peak freshness.
- Acts as an educational platform, with Sara Kadowaki frequently hosting seminars, tea tastings, and participating in trade events to elevate Japanese tea culture in the U.S.
Financial Strength and Business Operations
Though private and relatively small in scale, Sara’s Tea Caddie operates within the premium segment of the specialty tea market, which has been growing consistently in the U.S. According to industry data, the U.S. specialty tea market has grown at over 4.5% CAGR in recent years, and Japanese green tea holds a strong share of this growth due to increasing consumer preference for high-antioxidant beverages.
The company does not disclose specific financials publicly. However, its participation in high-profile industry events such as the World Tea Expo reflects a stable and committed presence in the sector.
Shipment and Trade Data
Import data platforms such as ImportYeti and Volza indicate that Sara's Tea Caddie has consistently imported Japanese teas in small but regular shipments. These are typically seasonal (spring and autumn), correlating with Japan’s prime harvest seasons. While specific volume data is limited, the consistent shipping activity underscores the company’s active and reliable trade relationships with Japanese growers.
Target Market
Sara’s Tea Caddie caters primarily to:
- Specialty tea retailers and boutiques
- High-end restaurants and cafes
- Wellness-focused consumers
- Tea educators and connoisseurs
Their customers are typically quality-driven and interested in authenticity, sustainability, and unique flavor profiles.
Capabilities
The company’s core capabilities include:
- Direct sourcing from certified Japanese farms
- Strict quality control protocols for freshness and authenticity
- Specialty packaging for optimal tea preservation
- Deep expertise in Japanese tea varieties and preparation techniques
- Tea education and training for customers and retail staff
Certifications and Compliance
While specific certifications were not publicly disclosed, the company's product handling practices align with industry standards for food safety and importation. Given its emphasis on quality, it is likely that sourcing partners in Japan comply with JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) certifications, although this should be confirmed directly.
Customer Testimonials and Recognition
Customer reviews across various platforms such as tea forums and blogs like My Japanese Green Tea praise the company for:
- Exceptional freshness and depth of flavor in their teas
- Rare and limited edition offerings like White Leaf Sencha
- Personalized customer service and expertise in product recommendations
Sara Kadowaki is also recognized in the industry for her in-depth knowledge and has been featured as a panelist and educator at several tea-related events.
Major Achievements
- Featured in World Tea Expo, positioning the company among notable players in the premium tea industry.
- Built exclusive relationships with top-tier Japanese tea farms.
- Recognized by connoisseurs and tea sommeliers for curating one of the finest selections of Japanese green teas in the U.S. market.
With a clear focus on quality, authenticity, and education, Sara's Tea Caddie, LLC stands as a premier U.S. importer for premium Japanese teas, offering a trusted gateway for tea lovers and retailers to access Japan’s rich tea heritage.