(Ships in Mid-December) AOI Seicha: Nishio Matcha – Aoi no Homare, Imperial Ceremonial Grade Usucha (30g) 御薄茶、葵の誉 AOI Seicha

This Aoi no Homare matcha is the highest grade usucha from AOI Seicha. It is very low in bitterness and has a balanced harmony that is rich with umami, sweetness, and pleasent aroma. Highly recommended for those who are looking for a higher quality matcha. Since this usucha matcha utilizes a very high ratio of varieties of tea leaves, it can also be used to make a koicha.

The matcha sommeliers at AOI rate this matcha 5/5 in terms of umami flavor, 5/5 for sweetness, and 1/5 for bitterness (See graph for a visual representation). 

Product Info

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Japanese name: 御薄茶、葵の誉
• Net Weight: 30 grams, can
• Cultivar: Blended
• Harvest Season: Spring
• Cultivation & Processing Notes: Shaded for 4 weeks before harvest.
• Region: Nishio, Aichi Prefecture

Instructions 

• Tools: matcha, chashaku bamboo scoop, chasen bamboo whisk, matcha bowl, cooling bowl or tea pot
• Take 2 grams (about 1.5 chashaku bamboo scoops) of matcha, and place it into your bowl
• Using the tips of your chasen bamboo whisks break apart any clumps (using a sifter may also help).
• Take boiling water and place it into a teapot or other cooling bowl. Allow the water to cool to 70-80C/158-176F degrees.
• Pour the water into your bowl, and using the whisk, slowly make an “M” shape in your bowl.
• As you speed up the whisk, bubbles (froth) will form.
• For Koicha, use about 50-70 ml of water. For Usucha, use 150-200 ml of water.

Vendor Info

• Name: Aoi Seicha
• Type: Factory
• Established: 1910, company incorporated as AOI Seicha in 1966.
• CEO: Ayano Honda
• Employees: 60
• Address: Kamiyashiki-7 Kamimachi, Nishio-shi, Aichi-ken 445-0894

Matcha for the North American market can be bought from U.S. subsidiary AOI Tea