Kirin Beverage launches aged tea variety in Namacha brand expansion

Kirin Beverage is expanding its ‘Namacha’ green tea brand with the launch of ‘Kirin Namacha Jukusei’ on October 13. The new product utilizes aged tea leaves that have been stored at low temperatures for six months to two years to achieve a rich aroma, deep umami, and body.

In addition to the new aged variety, the company is renewing its ‘Namacha Hojicha’ and launching a new ‘Namacha Caffeine-Free’ option. These developments aim to address consumer dissatisfaction with standard bottled green teas, which some users find either too light or too bitter.

According to Kirin marketing officials, the move is a strategic response to a shrinking bottled tea market and shifting consumer preferences toward specialized flavors and health-conscious options. The development of the aged tea variety involved over two years of research and 130 prototypes to balance flavor and mouthfeel.