NEW YORK -- Japan's best-selling bottled green tea is coming to the United States.
Ito En Inc.'s Oi Ocha will be distributed nationwide beginning this spring.
The announcement comes at the same time Kroger Co. begins stocking Ito En's Teas' Tea Organic in its 1,500 grocery and convenience stores across the United States.
With Cincinnati-based Kroger placing greater focus on natural and better-for-you beverages in its stores, Teas' Tea, known for its distinct clean finish and purity of taste of the tea leaf, according to the company, offers both unsweetened and slightly sweetened options with natural occurring catechin tea antioxidants and vitamin C.
"We are extremely happy that Teas' Tea and Oi Ocha will be available to the Kroger shopper," said Jim Hoagland, chief operating officer of Ito En. "With our tea-making expertise of over 50 years, we are confident that the refreshing taste of our fresh-brewed teas will appeal to the Kroger customer seeking a healthier beverage that captures the true taste of tea."
With consumer demand for healthier beverages, Teas' Tea has been gaining rapid distribution for its non-GMO teas, the company said.
"We are very excited to partner with Kroger nationally in their quest for innovation in healthy and organic beverages," said Adam Hertel, Ito En's senior vice president of grocery and alternative channels. "It is a strong indicator that the Kroger customer is demanding healthier options. We are proud to be a part of this forward-thinking initiative as our teas deliver perfectly on these growing trends."
Teas' Tea is available in natural and mainstream retailers in a variety of flavors with a suggested retail price of $1.99 to $2.49.
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