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Matcha is sensitive to heat, light, humidity and air exposure. Once opened, we recommend sealing the tin or pouch tightly after each use and keeping it away from warm or humid environments.

While refrigeration is commonly recommended, we personally prefer freezer storage for longer keeping as we find it introduces less moisture fluctuation over time when handled carefully. The key is ensuring the tea is sealed properly in an airtight container and allowed to return to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation forming inside the tin.

As matcha is a finely milled tea, exposure to oxygen and moisture will gradually soften aroma, colour and vibrancy over time.

Not all teas require refrigeration.

Higher-grade green teas such as matcha and gyokuro are more sensitive to heat and oxidation than roasted teas. Once opened, cooler storage can help preserve aroma and freshness.

We generally refrigerate or freeze matcha and gyokuro depending on how quickly it will be consumed, while roasted teas such as hojicha tend to remain more stable at room temperature when stored correctly in sealed containers away from heat and humidity.

As tea absorbs surrounding odours easily, storage near spices, coffee or aromatic foods should be avoided.

Storage requirements vary depending on the product. Oils, condiments, sauces and preserved goods should always be checked individually for refrigeration instructions after opening.

In general, pantry goods should be kept sealed and stored away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity. Proper storage helps preserve flavour, texture and shelf stability.

As many of the products we carry are traditionally produced in smaller batches without excessive stabilisers or preservatives, handling and storage can affect flavour and longevity over time.

Some products may require refrigeration after opening due to their ingredients, fermentation methods or lower preservative content.

Traditional condiments, sauces and pantry staples can remain sensitive to heat, air exposure and temperature fluctuations once opened. Refrigeration helps maintain freshness, flavour integrity and food safety.

Please refer to the individual product packaging and descriptions for specific handling instructions.

Under Australian food regulations, a best-before date refers to quality rather than safety. Foods may still be legally sold and consumed after a best-before date provided they remain fit for consumption and are not damaged, deteriorated or perished.

Changes over time may include reduced aroma, colour, texture or flavour intensity depending on the product and how it has been stored.

Products listed with shorter best-before windows or discounted pantry pricing will have this stated clearly in the product description.

Some pantry and tea products may be discounted due to shorter best-before windows, seasonal transitions, packaging updates or final remaining allocations.

Where applicable, best-before dates and relevant condition notes will be stated clearly on the individual product page prior to purchase.

Discounted pantry items are still expected to be fit for consumption at the time of sale in accordance with Australian food standards.

Clearance pantry and food items are final sale and cannot be exchanged or refunded for change of mind.

Products sold with shorter best-before windows or clearance pricing will have this indicated within the product description prior to purchase.

Please choose carefully, as we do not accept returns on food items unless they are deemed unsuitable for consumption upon opening or have been recalled by the manufacturer.

If this occurs, please contact us immediately so we can arrange assessment and return of the affected item, including opened products where required.

For health and safety reasons, affected food items may need to be returned to us for review and proper disposal.

Our tea selection focuses primarily on producers from Japan, including heritage tea regions such as Nishio in Aichi Prefecture and Uji in Kyoto.

We work with a combination of long-established tea houses, smaller specialist producers and direct relationships developed from sourcing and drinking tea within Australia and Japan.

Alongside ceremonial matcha, we also carry roasted teas, blended teas and everyday drinking styles selected for different methods of preparation and use.

Where possible, we work directly with producers, tea houses and long-term import partners we have developed relationships with over the years.

Our selection process extends beyond region or reputation alone. We look closely at flavour balance, consistency, milling style, intended preparation method and how a tea performs across everyday drinking, usucha, koicha or milk applications depending on the product.

Many of the producers we carry are multi-generational houses with decades or centuries of tea-making history behind them.

Both Nishio and Uji are historically important Japanese tea-producing regions, though each is often associated with different flavour tendencies and styles.

Uji, located in Kyoto, is widely recognised for refined and traditional matcha production with deep ties to Japanese tea culture and tea ceremony. Many teas from Uji lean toward deeper umami, marine and savoury characteristics, particularly within more traditional ceremonial styles.

Nishio, located in Aichi Prefecture, has become especially respected for matcha suited to both traditional preparation and modern daily drinking. In our experience, many Nishio teas present brighter aromatics, stronger colour and a cleaner, more refreshing profile that performs well across both usucha and milk preparation.

These are not fixed rules, however. As with wine, coffee or cacao, flavour is influenced not only by region, but also cultivar, blending style, harvest conditions and producer approach. Individual tea houses can vary dramatically in profile and philosophy from one producer to another.

Japanese tea production follows annual agricultural harvest cycles, with many teas produced only once per year in limited quantities.

Factors such as climate conditions, harvest yield, milling capacity and producer allocation can affect availability from season to season. Some teas may not return once sold through, while others may vary slightly between harvest years.

Many of the teas we carry are produced in relatively small batches compared to large commercial export volumes, particularly higher-grade ceremonial matcha and competition-level selections.

No. Flavour can shift depending on preparation, storage, temperature, water quality and individual palate.

Our tasting notes are developed through repeated preparation and use across tea, matcha and pantry products to help guide customers toward products that suit different preferences and applications.

Rather than assigning rigid flavour rules, we focus on texture, balance, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, savouriness and overall character as experienced during our own preparation and tasting.

Japanese tea production follows annual Recommended uses are based on how products perform in everyday preparation and serving.

For tea and matcha, this may include water temperature, whisking style, milk compatibility or brewing strength. For pantry items, it may include balance, texture, salinity, sweetness, acidity or how an ingredient behaves within cooking, dressing, finishing or pairing.

Our recommendations come from ongoing preparation and tasting rather than generic category descriptions.

Some matcha retain structure, colour and flavour once combined with milk, while more delicate styles are better appreciated with water alone.

Teas with stronger body or deeper vegetal structure often carry through milk preparation more effectively, while lighter or more aromatic blends can lose definition once diluted.

Preparation style ultimately comes down to preference, though certain teas naturally suit particular applications more than others.

Differences in flavour can come from region, cultivar, harvest timing, climate, processing method, blending philosophy and storage approach.

This applies across tea, matcha and pantry products alike. Two producers working with similar ingredients may still create very different results depending on technique and production style.

Many of the products we carry are made in smaller batches or through longstanding regional production methods, which can also lead to seasonal variation from one release to another due to climate and terroir conditions.

Many pantry products continue to evolve once exposed to air, moisture, refrigeration or temperature fluctuation.

Ingredients such as tea, matcha, sesame, spices, oils, soy and fermented products can gradually lose aromatics or shift in balance after opening depending on storage conditions and frequency of use.

For this reason, we recommend storing products carefully and consuming them within a reasonable period after opening for the best experience.

Some pantry items require refrigeration, insulated packaging or specialised handling and may not qualify for free shipping. Where applicable, this will be indicated on the individual product page and calculated at checkout.

We ship select pantry and tea items internationally where regulations allow. Certain products may be restricted due to customs, quarantine, biosecurity or carrier limitations depending on the destination country.

Customers are responsible for checking local import regulations prior to purchase. Eastern Hill cannot accept responsibility for items delayed, rejected or destroyed by customs authorities.

If your order arrives damaged in transit, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the packaging, shipping label and unopened affected items.

Where appropriate, we may offer a replacement, store credit or refund depending on the nature of the issue and carrier assessment.

If your order arrives damaged in transit, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the packaging, shipping label and unopened affected items.

Where appropriate, we may offer a replacement, store credit or refund depending on the nature of the issue and carrier assessment.

Yes. We can assist with larger pantry, gifting, hospitality and studio orders across selected products and brands.

As many items are produced in smaller batches or imported in limited quantities, lead times and availability may vary. Please contact us prior to ordering to discuss quantities, timing and freight requirements.