Kabusecha (Half-Shaded Premium Green Tea)
かぶせ茶 (Kabusecha)
Why source from Japan
Mie Prefecture's tea industry is built around kabusecha — concentrated infrastructure that no other origin replicates.
Key spec
Theanine 1.0–1.8% dry weight; price 30–50% of gyokuro; brewing temp 60-70°C optimum.
Typical end-product
Premium loose-leaf retail, single-origin tea bags, RTD super-premium beverage.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 5–20 kg loose leaf; 500 g – 10 kg powder
- Typical lead time
- 5–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Mie (60%+), Kyoto (Wazuka), Fukuoka (Yame)
- Category
- Beverage ingredients
- Harvest season
- Late April – mid-May (ichibancha primary)
- Japan regulatory status
- JAS / Tea standards apply
- INCI name
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
- Japanese name
- かぶせ茶
- Romaji
- Kabusecha
About this ingredient
Mid-tier between sencha and gyokuro, produced under 7–10 days of shade cover (vs gyokuro's 20+ days). Mie Prefecture produces over 60% of Japan's kabusecha; Wazuka (Kyoto) and Yame (Fukuoka) also produce. Profile balances sencha's astringency with gyokuro's umami at a fraction of gyokuro's price point. Increasingly used by D2C tea brands targeting buyers who want gyokuro-adjacent quality without the price.
Regulatory status
| Japan | JAS / Tea standards apply |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; CosIng for cosmetic extract |
| United States | GRAS for food; MoCRA for cosmetic use |
| China | Imported tea; GACC registration required |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Kabusecha (Half-Shaded Premium Green Tea) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sencha Extract
煎茶エキス
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea)
焙じ茶
MOQ from 20–100 kg (powder); 50–200 kg (loose).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Mugicha (Barley Tea)
麦茶
MOQ from 100–500 kg (loose / tea bags).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Kabusecha (Half-Shaded Premium Green Tea) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sencha Extract
煎茶エキス
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 2 categories
Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea)
焙じ茶
MOQ from 20–100 kg (powder); 50–200 kg (loose).
Simpler in China· shares 2 categories
Mugicha (Barley Tea)
麦茶
MOQ from 100–500 kg (loose / tea bags).
Simpler in China· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Matsuda Seicha
松田青茶
KagoshimaEnglish supportExport experienceNaturally grown (pesticide-free)Mie kabusecha specialist
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Last updated: 2026-05-04