(Ships in Mid-December) AOI Seicha: Nishio Matcha – Shoju no Shiro, Imperial Ceremonial Grade Usucha (30g) 御薄茶、松寿の白 AOI Seicha

The Shoju no Shiro from AOI Seicha is a high grade imperial ceremonial grade usucha that is well-balanced with respect to umami, sweetness, and aroma. It’s a wonderful matcha to enjoy at home when you would like to add a luxurious touch or to simply relax and enjoy your bowl of matcha. The Shoju no Shiro is also popular as a matcha for the tea ceremony.

The matcha sommeliers at AOI rate this matcha (see graph for a visual): 

• 5/5 in terms of umami flavor,
• 4/5 sweetness,
• 1/5 for bitterness. 

Product Info

• Ingredients: Green tea
• Japanese name: 御薄茶、松寿の白
• Net Weight: 30 grams, can
• Grinding: Ground upon order by Yunomi (see procurement date)
• 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