ORGANIC ZEN MATCHA | Shibushi

Silken Texture, Complex Deep Umami, and Lasting Finish

Zen Matcha is a true koicha-grade expression. Exceptionally fine in texture and vivid in colour, it reveals deep, creamy sweetness and a pure, balanced umami.

Grown in the rich volcanic soils of Shibushi, Kagoshima, and shaded for 30 days, it is made exclusively from the Seimei cultivar, developed specifically for shaded cultivation, and crafted from gyokuro rather than tencha. This rare approach results in a naturally high concentration of amino acids and remarkable depth.

In the bowl, the powder appears vivid green with a soft satin lustre, whisking effortlessly into a dense, vibrant froth. The aroma opens with gentle sweet ooika. On the palate, poised delicacy deepens into savoury umami, layered with notes of aonori, steamed edamame, and subtle nuttiness across a calm, broth-like mid-palate. The finish is clean and persistent, marked by refined floral and mineral nuances.

Velvety and full without heaviness, it coats the tongue and leaves a serene, creamy aftertaste. Best enjoyed slowly as koicha or prepared as a deeply satisfying usucha.

About the Tea Garden

Nestled in Kagoshima on Japan’s southern Kyushu Island, this prestigious tea garden is guided by a third-generation award winning tea grower and recognized as a true master of organic tea cultivation.

Specializing in organic gyokuro, the farm thrives in the fertile volcanic soils of Kagoshima, where each leaf develops remarkable depth, vitality, and natural sweetness. Guided by the belief that only a “tea leaf full of life” can yield truly nourishing tea, the farmer has spent over 35 years perfecting his craft, rebuilding his soil, and rejecting synthetic fertilizers to achieve purity and vigour.

Through the use of his own home made fermented organic fertilizer (bokashi), mineral-rich soils, meticulous hand-picking (tezumi), advanced multi-layer shading, and a once-a-year harvest that preserves plant strength, every leaf is cultivated for exceptional umami, balance, and richness. Matcha Seimei Zen represents the pinnacle of this lifelong dedication, a rare matcha shaped by living soil, patient craftsmanship, and an unwavering respect for nature.

Preparation method: Koicha

Cultivar: Seimei certified organic, shizen-jitate, single-cultivar

Method: JAS organic certification

Origin: Shibushi, Kagoshima

Grade: Koicha

Elevation: 190mt above sea level

Harvest: First flush, Hand-picked (tezumi), Spring - April 2025

Shade: Tana Ooishita, 3-layer method, shaded for 30 days before harvest

Fertilising: Bokashi, organic fertilezer, sedimentary rock, composted soybeans and rice bran

Steaming: Light (asamushi)

Flavour profile: Aonori, edamame, sweet savoury Umami finish

Producer: Sakamoto family

Content: 20g