FAQ

1. Where does your tea come from?
All our teas are exclusively produced and processed in Japan.

2. Are your teas organic and by what standard?
All our teas are Organically Grown : Pesticide, chemical fertiliser, additive and preservative free.
Having said that, each of our tea has different level of certification :

The Regal - matcha is Certified organic by JAS - Japan Agricultural Standard - recognised equivalence by USDA Organic and EU organic.

The Evergreen & The Popstar :
The raw production has been rewarded with the JAS (Japan Agriculture Standard) organic certification is officially recognised as equivalent to the USDA organic certification. About organic certification : the raw tea (aracha) produced by the Shigeta family is JAS organic certified. However, as many farmers in Japan, they do not refine the tea themselves (process of removing dust, excessive stems and further reducing moisture). Even though, this doesn't change in any way the organic nature of the final material, the fact that the facility is not certified refrains the final product to be certified organic.

The Wild One is Wild Organic: It doesn't get more natural and organic than this -- growing freely in the verdant and pristine forest of Miyazaki.

The Free Spirit is grown naturally with no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers

3. Are your teas gluten-free?
Our teas do not contain gluten. However, they are not produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities - even though they only handle tea products.

4. Do your teas contain any sugar?
There is no added sugar in any of our teas, nor any artificial sweeteners.

5. Do your teas contain any flavoring ?
We use only the highest quality teas leaves and ingredients, 100% real ingredients in our teas and never anything out of a lab. It just makes sense.

6. What is the shelf life of your teas?
We recommend our teas to be consumed within a year from the packaging date and within 3 months after opening.

7. How should I store the teas?
Air-tight Container: Transfer your tea leaves to an airtight container, such as a tin, ceramic jar, or resealable bag, to protect them from exposure to air. Make sure the container has a tight seal to prevent moisture, odors, and air from entering.

Cool and Dark Location: Store the tea leaves in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and humidity. Avoid storing them near the stove, oven, or other appliances that generate heat. Sunlight and heat can accelerate the degradation of tea leaves and compromise their flavor and aroma.

Avoid Strong Odors: Tea leaves can easily absorb strong odors from their surroundings, so keep them away from strong-smelling substances like spices, coffee, or cleaning products. If possible, store tea leaves separately to preserve their natural flavors.

8. How do you brew Japanese tea?
Please check our steeping section with pro tips and specific guides for each tea.

1. Where do your teaware come from?
Our tea ware are all designed and produced in Japan.

2. Do you sell replacement parts for my accessory?
We currently do not sell parts only.

1. What payment methods are available?
We accept all major credit cards - American Express, Visa, MasterCard, JCB - Apple Pay, Google Pay

2. Where do you ship your tea from?
Japan

3. How much does shipping cost?
We offer free global shipping on orders above $50
Please check our shipping policy for more details per region / country

4. How are custom duties handled?
Duties & taxes are set by the customs authorities of the destination country and are the customer's responsibility to pay if customs charges occur. For more details please check our shipping policy

5. When will my order ship?
All orders are shipped business days (Monday to Friday) excluding holidays. We do our best to ship on the next business day after receiving your order.

6. How long does shipping take?
It depends on the country and the custom process of your country, but for the USA and Canada it usually take about a week.

7. How do I track my order?
You should have received a tracking number in your shipping notification email. You can also check Your Account.

8. Can my order be delivered as a gift?
Yes, you can purchase Gift items from our website and have them delivered directly to anyone.

9. Can I request for an exchange or refund if there was a defective product?
Please check our refund policy page here.

1. Can your teas be purchased wholesale?
We are always delighted to work with new partners. Please contact us at keep_in_touch@aroundtea.com