When is Shin-cha harvested?
Different Shin-cha varietals have their own cultural/superstitious values, and this mostly depends on the time of its harvest.

For instance, Oohashiri (also called Hatsuzumi) is the very first harvest of the year - the ultimate hatsumono one can drink.Oohashiri shin-cha is known to have the greenest (almost jarring) nose.
Hachijyuuhachiya teas are traditionally harvested 88 days after the first day of spring, Risshun.This tea is treasured for the good luck in its name - 8 is a lucky number in East Asian cultures.
Most Shin-cha are harvested from after the Oohashiri harvest until around early summer.

Maeda-en's Shin-cha are from Kagoshima, which is in south Japan. Our teas are harvested earlier than others due to the warm climate.