TEAS’ TEA TAKES TOP AWARDS AT WORLD TEA EXPO

April, 2005 – Las Vegas, NV — TEAS’ TEA, a line of all natural, unsweetened teas manufactured by Tokyo-based ITO EN, has been awarded ‘best flavor,” and “best packaging” in the ready-to-drink tea category during the recent World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, NV. Additionally, ITO EN was awarded “best flavor” in the commercially brewed category for looseleaf teas. Numerous companies entered the competition with submissions judged on a range of factors including overall taste, visual appeal and aftertaste. TEAS’ TEA is available nationwide at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, independent health and gourmet shops and delicatessens.

“We are extremely proud of the success TEAS’ TEA found at the World Tea Expo,” said Rona Tison, vice president of corporate relations, ITO EN (North America) INC. “We use a fresh brew method, as opposed to a powder or concentrate base to produce our teas, and it really makes a difference in both taste and appearance.”

TEAS’ TEA is produced by Tokyo-based Ito En, the world’s largest green tea company. A variety of flavors are available in 16.9 oz, light weight, break-resistant PETE bottles which include Pure Green, Golden Oolong, Green Jasmine, Green Genmai, Green White, Green Hoji, Lemongrass Green, Rose Green and Mugi Cha, which is a barley tea. The suggested retail price is $1.99. TEAS TEA also produces a line of pre-heated hot bottled teas in Pure Green, Green Jasmine and Golden Oolong which have a suggested retail price of $1.49 for a 9.3 oz bottle. ITO EN’s looseleaf teas can be purchased in the ITO EN shop located at 822 Madison Avenue in NYC or online at www.itoen.com.

The World Tea Expo is the premier marketplace and tea conference for the U.S. tea business industry and is produced annually. Debuting in 2002, it has become the largest tea show in the U.S. This year the event brought in an estimated 2,500 people, with more than 185 exhibit booths featuring the latest teas, tea equipment, accessories, special tasting and numerous product launches.

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Established in 1966, Japan-based ITO EN, LTD. was founded to market green tea, a traditional Japanese beverage. Today, ITO EN, LTD. is firmly positioned as the world's leading supplier of green tea leaves and green tea beverages, developing a steady stream of new products that specifically address customer needs and lifestyles. Known as a trendsetter in Japan's beverage industry, intensive research and development has allowed the company to cultivate better tea, and positioned them as the first company to create a patented method of bottling green tea in a manner that carefully preserves its distinct flavor and integrity. Additional information can be accessed through www.itoen.com

Committed to growth, ITO EN has posted increases in annual sales every year since its establishment. After an initial public offering in 1992, its shares were listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September 1996 and on the First Section in October 1998.

Contacts: Laura Picco Patrick Morris
518.272.2400, ext. 17 518.272.2400, ext. 12