Ceremonial Grade Matcha [100% Hand-Picked & Stone-Ground]

This matcha is made exclusively from 100% hand-picked tea leaves harvested that year, grown on naturally shaped “shizen-shitate” tea bushes. It contains a high proportion of hand-picked leaves from the rare cultivar “Asatsuyu,” often referred to as a “phantom tea” for its scarcity, giving this hand-picked-only matcha a particularly rich umami and satisfying depth of flavour. Although this natural-style cultivation is usually reserved for teas specially produced for competitions, at KOKAEN all hand-picked teas are grown in this way in pursuit of the best possible flavour. It is characterized by a highly fragrant aroma and deep, rich umami, and can be enjoyed both as usucha (light, thin tea) and as koicha (thick, concentrated tea).
The entire process – from cultivation and manufacturing through finishing and stone-grinding – is carried out solely by the owner of KOKAEN, a champion of the Kyoto Tea Appraisal Technique Competition.
Production takes place in Yoshiwara Town, a historic tea-growing region dating back to the Edo period, where the soil is enriched mainly with organic-based fertilizers and the tea is grown with an emphasis on living in harmony with the natural environment.
By carefully carrying out each step, from soil preparation in the fields to the final stone-ground matcha powder, this tea is crafted to deliver a rich flavour and an elegant, lingering aroma.
Note: For international shipments, this matcha is handled as “Air Shipment MUST” in order to maintain quality during transport.