Tea, deeply rooted in Japanese life, is gaining global attention for its health benefits, among other aspects, while the surrounding environment is also changing. Ito En has established the Science Castle Research Grant Ito En Award to explore the potential of tea with the next generation and create "the charm of tea that connects to the future."

The role of a daily cup

Tea as a health beverage is now a global focal point. Catechins found in green tea are known to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and research has shown that consuming them with meals can help manage one's health. Additionally, a component called theanine has properties related to relaxation and maintaining concentration, and is being studied worldwide as a component that affects mental state. At Ito En Central Research Institute, we have been steadily accumulating scientific evidence for the various roles tea plays in health.

While gaining global attention, the environment surrounding Japanese tea domestically is changing. Opportunities to "brew tea" as a symbol of family gatherings have decreased due to changes in living environments, and there are challenges such as a decline in producers due to a shortage of successors and the difficulty of production management. As lifestyles and values change, we want to discover new attractions and roles for tea from a perspective we haven't had before. This is the sentiment behind the establishment of this research grant by researchers, including Mr. Kato, the Director of the Central Research Laboratory.

Aiming to create three health values

The company aims to achieve its long-term vision of "The World's Tea Company" and is committed to being a "Health Creation Company" that contributes to the health of people worldwide, focusing on creating three health values: "mental and physical health," "social health," and "planetary health." For example,Research into enjoying tea according to various life scenariosDevelopment of containers for long-term delicious preservation. Furthermore, with the aim of creating "Planetary Health," which considers not only the health of the body but also the health of the global environment as a unified concept, such as the effective utilization of discarded tea leaves with consideration for the environment, "there is still much room for research," says Takihara. Tea, a familiar beverage to people, is a research subject that spans food, agriculture, health, environment, and culture, and possesses a depth that allows for diverse approaches. It can be considered from various perspectives, including agricultural viewpoints on how tea tree cultivation methods and environmental conditions affect taste and aroma, verification of flavor changes due to differences in manufacturing processes, efforts to achieve desired tastes and mouthfeel, and exploration of uses for tea beyond drinking.

I want to explore the new appeal of tea with the next generation. 

Ito En participated in Science Castle World, held in December 2025, for the first time. What struck them immediately upon seeing the research presentations by junior high and high school students was their strong spirit of inquiry. "They tackled difficult themes bravely, and their eyes sparkled as they spoke about their research, conveying their enjoyment of the process," said Kato. When they were asked for ideas at their booth about new tea research, Takihara commented, "There were unique perspectives, like achieving specific tastes, and big-picture ideas, such as whether tea could be cultivated in space. I'm excited to collaborate with them, as their ideas differ from those of adult researchers."

The research grant theme for this year's Science Castle, the Ito En Award, is "Research to Create the Appeal of Tea for the Future." Through the research process, we hope to explore the appeal of tea as perceived by the next generation. This is an opportunity to re-examine and delve into the appeal of tea that can only be felt by consumers, such as taking a break during conversations, brewing tea for someone else, or drinking it for hydration and refreshment during study breaks. Selected participants will have opportunities to visit research facilities and interact with adults who are passionate about paving the way for the future of tea, including support from researchers actively pursuing tea studies. We encourage you to rediscover the appeal of tea, a familiar beverage, and take on the challenge of research that will shape its future.

After various processing and manufacturing steps from harvested tea leaves, it becomes tea to drink at the table.