Mellow Monk

Blissful Buds is named for the English rendition of the Japanese mecha ("bud tea," according to Mellow Monk). The company describes it as "the same kind of premium tea served at the best sushi restaurants."

Shaded Leaf is so named in honor of the Japanese method of shading delicate, young tea plants as they mature, in order to prevent oxidation and to stimulate catechin production, Mellow Monk said. Shaded Leaf is the company's "most premium tea ever," according to a product announcement.

Both of the new teas are single-estate and unblended. Mellow Monk prides itself on importing Japanese government-certified eco-friendly teas directly from family-owned and -operated farms.