Where Two Worlds Meet
For centuries, wine and tea have shaped the way cultures gather around the table. In Europe, wine became the language of dining - a reflection of terroir, time, and craftsmanship. In Asia, tea was cultivated into an art - a drink of ritual, refinement, and connection, perfected across generations.
Saicho is where these traditions meet. Founded by Charlie and Natalie Winkworth-Smith, Saicho celebrates the heritage of tea while redefining how it can be experienced in the modern dining world. Charlie, rooted in Britain's culture of craft and innovation, and Natalie, raised in Hong Kong where tea is the quiet heart of every meal, embody this meeting of cultures.
The Craft Behind
Sparkling Tea
A New Expression of Tea We have created something entirely new - a sparkling tea that honours the ancient art of tea-making while embracing modern dining culture. Through meticulous cold brewing and gentle effervescence, we unlock hidden depths of flavour and aroma, creating moments of pure, refined pleasure.
Heritage Meets Innovation Our approach bridges the mindfulness of traditional tea drinking with the celebration of fine dining, offering a sophisticated alternative that respects both traditions.
"Our approach bridges the mindfulness of traditional tea drinking with the celebration of fine dining, offering a sophisticated alternative that respects both traditions."
Charlie Winkworth-Smith
Solution
Hailing from Hong Kong, Natalie had grown up drinking tea with food so knew it could create the perfect pairing. With tea, it really matters at what point of year it’s harvested, the region it’s grown, its level of oxidation and the specific weather conditions of that particular season.
Accordingly, you get a huge variety of different flavours from floral to fruity, nutty to smoky, candied to umami - all depending on the type, terroir and production method. Excited by this moment of inspiration, Charlie and Natalie enthusiastically threw themselves into the pain staking, 2-year process of sampling and experimentation.
Having tested hundreds of different varieties from around the world they eventually settled on their first 3 teas.
Tea Sourcing & Origins
Every bottle begins in the tea gardens - from the misty slopes of Darjeeling, to the mountains of Fujian, to the highlands of Shizuoka. Each single-origin tea expresses its natural origins with clarity and depth.
Himalayan Foothills Our Darjeeling tea comes from Gopaldhara Tea Estate perched on misty mountainsides, where cool nights and warm days create the distinctive muscatel notes that define this "champagne of teas."
Fujian Mountains From the renowned tea gardens of China's Fujian Province, we source delicate jasmine green teas and complex oolongs, each carrying the wisdom of generations of skilled tea masters.
Japanese Highlands From the coastal mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, we source distinctive hojicha - a roasted green tea that undergoes a unique transformation process, creating warm, toasty notes that reflect Japan's innovative approach to traditional tea craftsmanship.
Natural Character in Every Sip Like fine wine, our teas carry the signature of their landscape. The mineral-rich earth, seasonal rainfall, and careful cultivation all contribute to the unique personality of each leaf.
Sustainable Partnerships We work exclusively with gardens committed to sustainable practices, ensuring that our quest for exceptional tea also supports the communities and ecosystems that nurture these precious leaves
"We work exclusively with gardens committed to sustainable practices. ensuring that our quest for exceptional tea also supports the communities and ecosystems that nurture these precious leaves."
Transformation
into Sparkling Tea
In England, the leaves undergo a 24-hour cold brew in Shropshire spring water, unlocking delicate aromatics while maintaining the natural tannic structure of the tea. This patient extraction achieves the ideal balance while preserving the layered complexity that defines exceptional tea.
Balanced with a touch of white grape juice and finished with gentle effervescence, the result is complex, layered, and refined. The fine, persistent bubbles elevate each sip, making it an ideal pairing for fine cuisine.
A Meeting of Aesthetics
Even the design of Saicho reflects this dialogue between Asia and Europe. The labels and boxes are adorned with chinoiserie - European art inspired by Asia - reinterpreted in a modern aesthetic that speaks to both heritage and innovation.
The Perfect Expression
Each bottle represents the culmination of our journey from garden to glass. From intimate dinner pairings to celebratory toasts, Saicho transforms any occasion into something extraordinary.
Saicho is not an imitation, nor an alternative. It is a sparkling tea that honours craft and reimagines celebration.
This is the Saicho brand world - where tradition meets innovation, where cultures unite, and where every bubble carries the essence of exceptional tea.