Meet Our Producer: Sencha Master Yuta Hiraoka

When I first met Yuta Hiraoka, he left the impression of being "like water"—calm, and quietly inspiring. At just 36 years old, he earned the prestigious title of “Tea Master 10th Dan,” a distinction held by only 23 people in Japan.

Despite his remarkable achievements, he remains approachable, dedicated, and deeply passionate about tea-making, qualities that made Simply Native eager to work with him for years to come.

Based in Shizuoka City, an area renowned for tea, Hiraoka's family business  began with processing and wholesaling tea leaves from local farmers. In 2019, he took a bold step by starting his own tea farm, becoming Shizuoka’s first new tea farmer in decades—a move that even made headlines. His farm specialises in a unique 12-hour wilting process that enhances natural sweetness and reduces bitterness, resulting in teas with a smoother, more refined flavour.

From gyokuro and Fukamushi sencha to hojicha and genmaicha with matcha, Simply Native proudly collaborates with his farm to bring these exceptional teas to Australia. Together, we craft blends that reflect both his expertise and feedback from our customers, ensuring each cup is truly special.