About Saicho
Saicho is an award-winning British sparkling tea brand that uses the finest single-origin teas to create luxurious, non-alcoholic beverages designed for refined palates. With a focus on quality, terroir, and craftsmanship, Saicho’s teas offer a complex flavour profile akin to premium wines and champagnes. Enjoyed in Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels in cities like London, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and available to enjoy at home from premium retailers.
Saicho is vegan-friendly, low-calorie, sulphite-free, and halal-certified. Celebrating the culture and diversity of tea, Saicho invites drinkers to experience a new level of sophistication and elegance.
At the start of this New Year our focus is on good health, happiness and the year ahead. We are on a mission this January to bring sparkling tea to the drink’s receptions and dining tables of the world. Whether eating in a fine dining restaurant, enjoying a drink at a wine bar or just at home with family and friends we hope that our knowledge, passion, hard work and hands-on approach shines through in every glass. For us, celebration has always held a special significance. It was, after all, the catalyst for Saicho.
Natalie Winkworth-Smith, co-founder of Saicho, shares: “Growing up in Hong Kong, tea was a central part of my life. It was shared at family meals, steeped in rituals, and appreciated for its depth and variety. Years later, living in the UK, I found myself drawn to the culinary arts, particularly the intricate world of food and wine pairings. But as someone who cannot tolerate alcohol, I often felt excluded from the experience. While others enjoyed the storytelling and craftsmanship of wine, I was left with a glass of water. It was during one such dinner, watching Charlie pair exquisite wines with each course, that the idea struck: why couldn’t tea take its place as a refined, celebratory drink? This question became our mission. Saicho is more than just sparkling tea; it’s a reimagining of what non-alcoholic beverages can be – complex, sophisticated, and celebratory in their own right.”
While get togethers are often defined by indulgence, for those of us who don’t drink alcohol or are moderating, the offerings can feel like an afterthought. A fizzy soda or simple mocktail lacks the depth and ceremony of wine or champagne. Saicho changes this narrative, offering a drink that elevates the moment rather than detracts from it. Each Saicho tea is crafted with the same precision and care as a fine wine. Our Darjeeling, with its vibrant notes of mandarin and ginger, pairs beautifully with grilled meats or roasted vegetables. Hojicha, with its roasted umami richness, complements seafood and our Jasmine tea, delicately floral with hints of lychee and vanilla, enhances the lightness of citrusy desserts or spicy salads. All our drinks at Saicho begin with the finest single-origin teas. Each tea reflects its terroir, from the loamy soils and high altitude of Darjeeling to the sun-kissed gardens of Fujian, China. These teas are cold-brewed for 24 hours to extract their most delicate flavours while avoiding too much bitterness. This meticulous process preserves their character, resulting in beverages that are as layered and nuanced as the dishes they accompany. Unlike many non-alcoholic drinks, sparkling tea doesn’t aim to replicate wine or spirits. Instead, it celebrates tea’s inherent diversity and craftsmanship. Whether it’s the roasted warmth of Hojicha or the muscatel-like brightness of Darjeeling, each tea tells a story of its origin – a story we’re proud to share with every pour. For us, Saicho represents the best of both worlds. It draws on the heritage of tea while embracing the innovation of sparkling beverages. It offers a sense of place and history while inviting new possibilit…
