TBD° - Tea Be Defined

Our Brand Story

  • Where It Began

Founded in 2025

TBD° was founded in September 2025 in Tokyo by Lasse (Germany) and Haruka (Taiwan/Japan).

Rooted in years of tea practice in Taiwan and shaped by a design-driven approach to experience, their paths crossed in Taiwan.

What began as a conversation soon became a shared vision: to reimagine and modernize the tea experience for today’s world.

Two people standing in front of a large window with sheer curtains. On the left Haruka co-founder of TBD°; on the right Lasse , co-founder of TBD°
  • From Vision to Experience

TBD° × grass

TBD° entered its first partnership with grass, a café and co-working space in Shimokitazawa, where our tea is served and experienced in a hand-drip style.

grass Shimokitazawa

◼︎ 2-21-22 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku Tokyo 〒155-0031 Japan

◼ 0-minute walk from the southwest exit of Odakyu Line Shimokitazawa Station

visit grass Shimokitazawa
  • Tea, Rediscovered in Shibuya

First Pop Up Event

Our First Pop Up event at Shibuya brought together both local and international guests, offering a moment to rediscover tea.

With bold, additive-free flavors, TBD tea resonated even with those coffee drinkers.

TBD first pop up store in Shibuya Modi
2025 Founded
First Partnership
First PopUp

Our Philosophy

We respect tradition, but we also believe tea can evolve. Traditional tea ceremonies are beautiful

but often too slow, complex, and inaccessible for modern lifestyles.

At TBD°, we take inspiration from Le Labo, APFR, and Blue Bottle Coffee,

focusing only on what is truly necessary.

We strip away excess, while embracing modern brewing science to unlock deeper flavors.

Our mission:

One cup, full of flavor. A tea experience that is minimal, modern, and unforgettable.

Looking Ahead

We are building toward opening our first TBD° tea café in Tokyo in 2026.

A place where tea is given the same stage as coffee:

freshly brewed, beautifully presented, in a calm and modern space.

For coffee lovers who want another choice,

and for tea lovers who want something more. TBD° is here.

Shop Now

Taiwanese Golden Lily Oolong Tea

¥500 JPY

Taste
Creamy, buttery texture with orchid and magnolia florals. Notes of nectarine and apricot sweetness, light caramel. Low astringency; clean, sweet, lingering finish. 

Origin
Taiwan — Alishan Mountain region at high elevation (~1,200-1,500 m). Spring harvests emphasized for floral and milk-like qualities.

Process
Lightly oxidised (≈10-20-15 %) Oolong. Leaves ball rolled. No added flavouring; the “milk” character is natural to the Jin Xuan cultivar.

Selection
Jin Xuan (TRES #12) cultivar. Hand-picked. Minimal chemical inputs; high-altitude microclimates with mist & cool nights help develop flavour.