In Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture, there is red soil that is called 'the soil created by gods' in India and Sri Lanka.
The native species of Camella synesis, which is cultivated only 3％ nationwide still survives there.
TAGASHIRA Tea Seed Oil is a rare and precious oil extracted from the seeds of tea fruits grown using natural farming methods without fertilizers or pesticides.
The natural beauty serum derived from the vibrant tea tree is rich in abundant beauty ingredients.

The gently clear, golden Tea Seed Oil is a high-quality oil extracted through cold pressing.
We want you to experience the power of tea as it is, so we focus on maintaining 100％ purity and authenticity without adding anything unnecessary, even though it is rare.

It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, has a high content of Coenzyme Q10.
Particularly, it contains five times more vitamin E than olive oil.
Additionally, since it comes from tea seeds, it is also rich in catechins.

Tea seed oil can be used as a beauty serum to enhance your basic skincare routine.
The oil has a light texture, absorbs easily into the skin, and leaves it feeling smooth and hydrated.
Even if you experience skin troubles due to physical imbalances or external stress, applying this oil at the end of the day after washing your face provides a reassuring sense of comfort.
The fragrance is the natural scent of the raw material itself. It contains no synthetic fragrances, nor are other types of oils or extracts mixed in.
It offers a healthy aroma that evokes lush tea fields.

From the perspective of quality preservation and renewable materials, we have chosen glass.
The elegant bottle perfectly complements the luxurious tea seed oil and looks beautiful alongside other cosmetics.
Its slim shape is designed for easy handling and portability, making it a great companion for travel.
The box has a sophisticated design that complements the oil bottle.
It makes a wonderful gift for your loved ones and a delightful souvenir from Japan.

〈Evidence of the oil’s high quality〉

When this oil is exposed to low temperatures, the phospholipids may freeze, causing the oil to become cloudy or solidify into a white substance. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs in high-quality oils and is evidence of the quality of oil extracted through cold pressing. Placing the oil in a warm room will return it to its original clear state, so please do not place it in hot water or use heating.

The acidity is between 0.2% and 0.3%, indicating that it is fresh extra virgin oil.

Tea Seed Oil contains Coenzyme Q10, which is not found in olive oil.
Moreover, our Tea Seed Oil has approximately five times more Vitamin E than typical olive oil and about twice the amount of Coenzyme Q10 compared to other tea seed oils.
This makes it rich in beneficial ingredients for the skin.

（Content per 100g）

What is tea seed oil?

Tea Seed Oil is extracted from the small seeds found inside the fruit of the tea plant (scientific name: Camellia sinensis). In countries like China and Taiwan, it is known as 'tea oil(茶油)' and has been used for centuries, but it is not well known in Japan."

White flowers bloom, and as the seeds ripen, the pods begin to split open, revealing three seeds inside.
These seeds are dried until they rattle, then the shells　are cracked open to extract the white, nut-like kernels.
From each seed, only a few grams of oil can be extracted, making it an extremely rare oil."

The main harvest from Japanese tea fields is tea leaves. To produce nutritious and delicious Japanese tea, tea fields are carefully maintained, and the tea leaves are diligently grown and picked.
As a result, even for Japanese people, it is very rare to see the charming, round, bell-like tea fruit.

However, there are abandoned tea fields in Japan, and Sera Town in Hiroshima Prefecture is one of them.
The history of Sera tea is ancient, beginning with tea brought by Chinese monks.
In the early Showa era, the village mayor at the time encouraged tea cultivation as a way to revitalize the town.
In 1930, tea processing was mechanized for the first time in Hiroshima Prefecture, and in 1933, the only branded tea in the prefecture, 'Sera Tea,' began to be sold. At its peak, about 300 tons were shipped, mainly to the Kanto region. Although production continued until the early Heisei era, the number of tea producers steadily declined due to aging and a lack of successors. In what was once a thriving tea-growing area, many tea fields have been left untended.

Due to the lack of maintenance, the tea plants strive to survive and propagate, quietly blooming and bearing fruit, unnoticed.

Soil quality, climate, altitude, and surrounding environment vary by region.
However, Sera Town in Hiroshima Prefecture is blessed with unique characteristics.

• 1Red Soil

  The soil shares the same characteristics as tea-producing regions like India and Sri Lanka and is known as "soil that only gods can create."

• 2Sera Highlands

  Sera Town is situated at an altitude of about 400 meters, making the entire town a single highland.

• 3Native Species

  In Sera Town, a few native tea plants, which have decreased to only 3% nationwide, still survive. These tea plants have thick roots and are highly resilient.
  The seeds from these non-cultivated tea plants vary in size, but their propensity to produce seeds makes them ideal for oil production.
  
  The tea seeds harvested here have a high oil content, with an average oil extraction rate of 20%. Because these are native tea species with minimal hybridization, the seeds contain a high amount of oil.

How To Use

As a booster (pre-lotion serum) after cleansing, apply generously to your bare skin. Press gently with your hands and leave it for a few moments. Then, proceed with your regular skincare routine, such as applying lotion or moisturizing cream.
The oil is light and has a non-greasy texture. It easily absorbs into the skin, leaving your skin soft and smooth.

Additionally, apply a few drops to areas with skin troubles such as cuts, burns, eczema, or dryness to care for these issues.
The oil provides moisture and a protective coating to promote natural healing.

Effects and Benefits of the Ingredients in Tea Seed Oil

Product Reviews

Fateful Meeting and New Discoveries

The meeting between Tagashira Tea Shop and Tea Seed Oil was a small but meaningful connection. One day, a young couple from Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture, who were producing tea seed oil, came to us for advice.

In Japan, there are abandoned and overgrown tea fields due to aging populations and a lack of successors. Sera Town, once known for its tea production, is one such place, where tea trees strive to survive in neglected fields, blooming and bearing fruit. Sera's environment is ideal for cultivating tea seeds, allowing for the harvest of seeds that contain high-quality, nutrient-rich oil.

We have long promoted the benefits of tea through drinking. However, when we learned about the abundant nutrients and rarity of tea seeds instead of tea leaves, it was an eye-opening moment for us.
This was a moment of rediscovery of tea's potential.

The knot of a furoshiki, called 'musubu,' is one of the meanings behind our company logo. It signifies that 'encounters are treasures.
We are grateful for the connections between people and strive to create products that are gentle on the body by bringing together various elements.’
The connection with the young couple producing tea seed oil perfectly embodied the spirit of our logo.
Moved by the sincerity of this wonderful couple, we decided to join forces and work together on this project.

The Nishi Couple, Dedicated to the Tea Fields of Sera

Koutarou is simple and honest character. His cultivation method involves naturally drawing out the inherent strength of the tea plants and the land without imposing any burden.
And his wife, Tomoko, though modest, steadfastly supports Koutarou.

When tea seeds mature, they fall to the ground. In the tea fields where human intervention is minimal and the trees are dense, picking up each seed by hand is a very challenging task.
These tea fields differ slightly from those in Shizuoka or Kagoshima, which often come to mind when thinking of tea fields.
However, the somewhat wild tea fields reflect the power of nature.
Being surrounded by rich nature means that the work is affected by the weather and sometimes involves encounters with large hornets. Harvesting the blessings of nature is a very challenging job.

Then we extract the seeds from the gathered fruits, crack open the hard shells of the seeds, and take out the small, nut-like kernels inside.

A New Beginning

With the advice of our company president’ husband, Dr. Haruyuki Yoshinaga (MD, PhD in Medicine, and Kampo doctor), her eldest daughter, Momoka Yoshinaga (pharmacist), and Tomoko (registered dietitian), it was decided to market the oil as a 'beauty oil' to be applied directly to the skin. This decision was based on the oil's properties, its rich oleic acid content, and its vitamin E content, which is five times that of olive oil.
To ensure our customers can use the oil safely and with confidence, we extract and fill each bottle by hand in a clean and hygienic environment.

Chanomi Tomodachi

Not "Chanomi Tomodachi" (Tea Drinking Friends) but "Chanomi Tomodachi" (Tea Seed Friends). In Japan, friends who casually enjoy conversations over tea are called "Chanomi Tomodachi" (tea drinking friends).
The seeds that grow on tea trees are called "Chanomi" (tea seeds).
Inspired by these names, we call the fruit and seed shells produced during the oil manufacturing process "Chanomi Tomodachi" (tea seed friends).

The oil is extracted from the nut-like kernels inside the seeds after breaking their hard shells.
Even from a handful of seeds, the amount of oil that can be extracted is very small and precious.
As a result, a large number of husks remain after the seeds mature and split open.
However, the husks spread out beautifully like a blooming flower once they split open, and the seed shells have a charming, bell-like shape.

Therefore, we sought ways to utilize these charming husks.
We discovered that they could serve as mulch for house plants and as a fuel material for fire craft.

Finally, the Launch!

It took us two long years from our initial encounter with the Nishi couple to the launch of the oil. During this time, we used the oil daily, experiencing its benefits firsthand.
We received numerous expressions of surprise and joy both within our company and from external parties.

Add this natural Tea Seed Oil to your daily skincare routine.
Take a small amount and gently massage it into your skin; you'll notice fewer skin troubles and consistently better skin condition. Just having healthy skin can lift your spirits and make you feel happy and content!
Houseplants and bonfires are also said to have healing powers.
Try adding‘Chanomi Tomodachi’ to each of them. You'll find tea to be fascinating and soothing, bringing joy and relaxation.

Some tea trees have lived for thousands of years, showcasing their incredible vitality.
The tea seeds grown in the special land of Sera also possess this strength.
Japanese green tea is enjoyed worldwide, and we hope that you will feel the same connection and familiarity when using Tea Seed Oil.

We proudly present TAGASHIRA's Tea Seed Oil to our customers.
We sincerely hope that you will experience its wonderful benefits for yourself.