Dear Friends,

As I look into 2023, I am excited about the future as we continue to push forward in bringing quality green teas to the U.S. market. As innovators of Japan’s #1 selling unsweetened green tea, Oi Ocha, created over 33 years ago, we are grateful and humbled to see that our expertise and passion are being appreciated by so many new customers who are discovering its authentic and delicious taste. Especially, as we see the demand for healthier and clean tasting beverages.

We realize the importance of sustainability and the role we play as a global tea company.  Our Tea Producing Region Development Project is an initiative that was created to ensure stability and sustain tea farming by working with the farmers and local communities. An initiative that encompasses the redevelopment and cultivation of abandoned farmland and our support of procurement needs. This gives us great pride as we deliver a Farm to Cup experience. 

Most recently, research has showed that Two Cups of Tea a Day may keep the Doctor Away. The first ever food-based guideline for the daily intake of Flavan 3-ols that positively impacts our health through diet. Green tea ranked the highest amount in flavonoid rich foods. No doubt we will see more consumers seeking out green teas. We hope it will be ITO EN.

As many of you may not be aware, haikus have played an important part of ITO EN’s history. Winning haikus have graced our bottles since 1989. We invite you to enter our North America competition, through the website-ArtofHaiku.org. Your haiku may be the one that will be enjoyed while drinking our tea.

Last but not least, thank you for your support and trust in us, as it is our customers who are the foundation of our business. Without our customers, we would not exist.

May the year ahead be safe, full of happiness and good health.

With gratitude and best regards. 

 

Yosuke "J.O." Honjo
President & C.E.O.
ITO EN (North America) INC.