Sugimoto Tea Company is a family-owned, vertically integrated Japanese tea producer and distributor headquartered in Redmond, Washington, with deep roots in Shizuoka, Japan—the heartland of Japanese tea cultivation. Founded in 1946 in Japan and formally established in the U.S. in 2005, the company is now led by third-generation tea master Kyohei Sugimoto. Sugimoto Tea Company is dedicated to introducing authentic Japanese green tea to global markets while preserving the artisanal practices and cultural heritage of traditional tea-making.
Core Business and Product Portfolio
Sugimoto Tea Company offers a meticulously curated portfolio of premium Japanese teas, developed with a deep respect for tradition and sustainability:
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Loose Leaf Teas:
- Enrich Sencha: Full-bodied, steamed green tea with umami depth
- Homare Sencha: Reserve-grade sencha with a smooth, grassy flavor
- Shizuku Gyokuro: Shade-grown, umami-rich luxury tea
- Genmaicha, Kukicha, and Hojicha: Popular regional blends with roasted and toasted flavor notes
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Tea Bags:
- Organic Hojicha Tea Bags
- Enrich Sencha Tea Bags
- Kukicha Tea Bags
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Powdered Teas:
- Ceremonial Matcha
- Hojicha Powder for lattes and culinary use
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Sampler Sets:
- Japanese Green Tea Basics
- Matcha Sampler
- Sencha Discovery Set
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Teaware:
- Gold Leaf Kyusu (teapot)
- Kumidashi Yunomi (cups)
- Shirotake Chasen and Chashaku (traditional matcha tools)
All teas are shade-grown, handpicked, and processed in Sugimoto’s ISO 22000-certified facility in Shizuoka, before being exported to the U.S. for packaging and distribution.
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Sugimoto’s value lies in its seamless integration of traditional Japanese farming with modern food safety standards:
- Direct-from-farm sourcing: Full control over tea quality from field to cup
- Uji-style steaming methods to lock in flavor and freshness
- Nitrogen-flushed packaging to ensure maximum shelf life and oxidation resistance
- Certified organic product lines with USDA Organic and JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards) certifications
- Educational outreach through detailed brewing guides, cultural content, and training sessions
Sugimoto is one of the few Japanese tea companies offering authentic artisan-grade products at both consumer and wholesale levels in the U.S. market.
Financial and Market Performance
Though private, Sugimoto Tea Company has shown sustained and scalable growth in both direct-to-consumer and wholesale segments:
- Supplies over 1,000 retailers, cafes, and restaurants across North America
- Experienced 50% YoY growth in online sales between 2020 and 2022, largely driven by matcha and sencha demand
- Sells in Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers chains
- Global expansion into Canada, the U.K., and Southeast Asia via e-commerce and partnerships
- Operates both B2C and B2B platforms, with specialized services for foodservice and bulk buyers
The brand has grown steadily due to the rising popularity of functional beverages and Japanese wellness trends.
Distribution and Operational Reach
Sugimoto Tea Company maintains a dual-operational infrastructure:
- Production and sourcing in Shizuoka, Japan—home to the company’s multi-generational farming network and processing facility
- North American headquarters in Redmond, Washington—handling packaging, fulfillment, warehousing, and client relations
- Cold-chain logistics and warehouse management to protect tea freshness and prevent oxidation
Products are shipped both domestically and internationally, with third-party logistics support for DTC and wholesale orders.
Target Market
Sugimoto serves a diverse set of consumer and commercial clients:
- Health-conscious consumers and tea connoisseurs
- Natural and organic grocery retailers
- Coffee and tea shops, including independent cafes and Japanese-themed establishments
- Hospitality and wellness brands, such as spas and retreat centers
- Chefs and culinary buyers sourcing matcha and hojicha powders for recipe development
Marketing efforts are focused on health, heritage, and flavor storytelling to educate new audiences and retain seasoned drinkers.
Capabilities
- In-house R&D for new tea blends, powders, and brewing methods
- Custom bulk packaging and private label options for wholesale buyers
- ISO 22000 certified manufacturing for global food safety compliance
- USDA Organic, JAS Organic, and Non-GMO certifications
- E-commerce infrastructure with multilingual website, digital catalogs, and global shipping
The company also conducts tea master training and education for wholesale partners and hospitality clients.
Certifications and Compliance
Sugimoto Tea Company operates with a full suite of safety and sustainability certifications:
- ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System
- USDA Organic, JAS Organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Rainforest Alliance certified sourcing practices for certain collaborations
- Full compliance with FDA and FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) requirements for U.S. importation and labeling
All packaging materials are recyclable and designed for long-term product preservation.
Customer Testimonials and Reviews
Sugimoto Tea receives consistently positive feedback for:
- Freshness and flavor complexity, especially in sencha and gyokuro offerings
- Aesthetic packaging and cultural authenticity
- Fast, responsive service and informative guidance
- Educational content, which helps new tea drinkers make informed choices
Online reviews average 4.8/5 stars, and the brand is widely recommended on forums like Reddit’s r/tea and TeaChat.
Major Achievements
- Featured in World Tea Expo, Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) events, and Natural Products Expo West
- Official tea sponsor of Japanese cultural and wellness festivals in the U.S.
- Created “Sugimoto Reserve” line in 2023—premium limited-edition teas from micro-lot harvests
- Partnered with chefs and baristas to develop tea-based lattes, cocktails, and desserts
- Recognized as one of the Top 10 Japanese Tea Brands in the U.S. by tea trade publications
Sugimoto Tea Company remains a trusted name in authentic Japanese tea, bridging centuries-old craftsmanship with the needs of today’s health-conscious and culturally aware consumers.
