AIYA HISTORY

AIYA – MATCHA MASTERS SINCE 1888

The company history of AIYA may not be exactly as long as the history of Matcha tea itself. However, together with the whole AIYA family we have been at it for almost 130 years, now. We are coining the Matcha world and we are spreading the enthusiasm about the green gold.

In 1888 Aijiro Sugita founded a store selling tea and kimono fabrics. Aijiro knew two things best: the production of Matcha and the coloring of kimono fabrics. For the coloring he used an ingredient called Aidama. This name was soon made into the nickname Aiya, which is the official name of our mother company in Japan.

The history of AIYA remains relevant up to this day. 130 years after Aijiro started producing Matcha, our AIYA Matcha is still grounded in granite stone mills, following the traditional, sophisticated old method.

1888

Aijiro Sugita I is opening his store “Sugita Shoten”, specialized in the production and the sale of tea and indigo.

1898

AIYA is selling Matcha in the whole Aichi-area.

1912

AIYA is owning exclusive rights for 35 ha of tea fields.

1922

Aijiro II is taking over the company from his father.

1935

Company premises and the factory are rebuilt.

1950

Aijiro III is taking over the company.

1960-69

The daily production is extended to 400 kg, the number of stonemills is now 320.

1970-84

The daily production is increasing to 1000 kg.

1978

Start of the cultivation of organic Matcha.

1983

AIYA is starting to export tea to North America.

1985

AIYA is the first Matcha company to install its own quality control with its own laboratory.

1989

AIYA is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. Aijiro IV is taking over the company. Die affiliated company Meihoen is founded, to support tea farmers with the cultivation.

1990

The number of stonemills is increased to 1080. After the building of the second tea factory is finished, AIYA can now produce up to 1200 kg per day.

1992

AIYA installs a production line, which is able to produce tea with a considerably reduced germination number.

1993

Finish of a new Tencha - processing factory as well as a cooling storage with a cooling capacity of 360 tons.

1999

AIYA is the first Matcha company to be awarded the ISO9002 certification.

2001

AIYA is opening two representative offices in New York and Vienna. AIYA Matcha is awarded the newly created JAS-certification (Japan organic-standard).

2002

AIYA is becoming the first internationally certified organic company, by OCIA (USA) and IMO (Europe). At the same time, AIYA is also receiving the Kosher certification. AIYA develops a color-stable variant of Matcha tea, Matcha MT-21. The production process is patented worldwide.

2004

AIYA is building a new Matcha factory. The production is increasing by 25%.

2005

AIYA is opening a Chinese subsidiary in Zhejang, and is starting the production of tea in its home country. AIYA is setting a new production record: 84 Tonnen Matcha / month.

2007

AIYA is receiving the AIB certificate with the distinction “Superior”.

2008

AIYA Europe is moved from Vienna, Austria to Europes tea capital Hamburg, Germany. AIYA is receiving the ISO 22000-certification.

2009

AIYA Europe is starting a new retail brand in Europe: aiya – THE TEA.