If you work in hospitality, or have chosen to moderate your alcohol consumption, you know the challenge of finding a truly food-friendly non-alcoholic option.Most alternatives are either too simple, too sweet, or lack the complexity needed to stand alongside carefully paired wines. That’s exactly why we brought Saicho Sparkling Tea to Japan.Saicho isn’t just another alcohol-free beverage. It is crafted specifically with food pairing in mind.The process begins with exceptional single-origin tea leaves selected from more than 200 teas. Each tea is cold brewed for 24 hours to gently extract nuanced flavours, then balanced with carefully selected white grape juice to create harmony between acidity, tannin, texture, and depth.The result is a sparkling tea with Champagne-like finesse and layered complexity — qualities that have earned Saicho a place in more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide.Since launching the 200ml bottles in Japan in 2023, Saicho has been well received both on- and off-premise. The teas pair seamlessly with a wide range of cuisines, from Japanese to French, and have also found success as sophisticated aperitif alternatives.Now, the long-awaited 750ml bottles have finally arrived in Japan, opening up even more opportunities to enjoy Saicho Sparkling Tea.The 750ml Bottle: Expanding OpportunitiesAccording to Saicho founders Charlie and Natalie Winkworth-Smith — who developed the brand after studying food chemistry at doctoral level in the UK — more than two-thirds of Saicho’s global sales come from the 750ml format.There are two major reasons for this.1. By-the-glass serviceThe 750ml format is ideal for:brunchesafternoon tea pairingsnon-alcoholic pairing menusUnlike wine, Saicho is far less affected by oxidation. Properly sealed and stored under pressure, the sparkling tea maintains its quality for up to a week after opening.This has made the 750ml format particularly successful in hospitality settings.In overseas markets such as Hong Kong, demand for 750ml bottles has surged, especially at premium retailers such as city’super, where consumers increasingly seek sophisticated alcohol-free alternatives for gifting and home consumption.2. Retail giftingElegant premium gift boxes make Saicho a refined alternative to wine gifting.Supporting Sommeliers & Global InitiativesSaicho actively collaborates with hospitality professionals and the sommelier community, positioning itself not simply as a non-alcoholic beverage, but as a premium pairing option designed to elevate cuisine.In the UK, Saicho serves as the exclusive non-alcoholic sponsor of the prestigious “Top 100 Sommeliers Award 2024.”The brand has also launched its “Art of Pairing” initiative, inviting leading chefs and sommeliers around the world to create dishes specifically paired with Saicho Sparkling Tea. These collaborations are shared through social media and industry networks to foster engagement within the global Saicho community.Saicho has also partnered with luxury hotels on charitable initiatives.Last October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Saicho collaborated with Shangri-La The Shard, London to host the “Pink Afternoon Tea,” inspired by the internationally recognised Pink Ribbon campaign. The full Saicho range was featured throughout the event, further strengthening the brand’s presence within the luxury hospitality sector.As demand for premium non-alcoholic beverages continues to rise — driven both by changing drinking habits and increasing international tourism — Saicho offers a sophisticated, uncompromising alternative beyond traditional alcoholic drinks.We invite you to discover Saicho Sparkling Tea for yourself.