Competitive Grade Teas
Competitive grade teas are the ones entered into the All-Japan Competitive Tea Exhibition. These teas are made with the traditional timeframe, so each year they are ready by September, just in time for the competition. These teas are not only the most delicious and made of the best leaves, but they are perfect aesthetically, too.
The All-Japan Competitive Tea Exhibition is held each year in September, and teas can be entered in 5 categories: Sencha, Fukamushicha, Kabusecha, Gyokuro and Tencha. The competition has two rounds, first the regional, then the national round. Each tea is scored by professional judges and put in a class, the first three classes being prize winner teas.