Collection: matcha

Matcha - it's the purest form of green tea. 

Japanese green tea can trace its roots to China. Today, it is easy to distinguish between Japanese and Chinese tea due to the different processing methods.
  

Japanese tea is produced by steaming the tea leaves to stop fermentation, which yields a greenish-blue color and a distinct flavor that balances umami and astringency.

Although all Japanese tea is produced from the same tea plant (chanoki), the tea is classified into different categories depending on the area of cultivation and the production method. Since each tea has a distinct aroma and flavor, they can be enjoyed for different occasions.

Matcha, one of the oldest types of tea in Japan, has in recent years gained popularity as an ingredient in confections, even overseas. Originally, however, it was dissolved in hot water and consumed on occasions like the Japanese tea ceremony - Chado. 

Matcha is cultivated mainly in Kyoto (Uji), Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Aichi (Nishio), and Shizuoka Prefectures, but Uji City in Kyoto prefectures is known as the BRAND OF MATCHA and the birth of the city of green tea.

From April to May, you can view the oishita (covered) cultivation landscape of the tea farms in Uji City. To preserve the beautiful landscape and the cultivation methods, the city is now undertaking efforts to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How To Choose The Best Matcha?

True matcha tea is produced only in Japan, but even in Japan the taste and quality of matcha is not the same. 
It's like with wine: some people appreciate these sweet notes, others like the adult tartness.

You also need to understand - for what do you even buy matcha?

 If you are in search of a base for matcha latte, cake, chocolate or other desserts, then pick up a tea with more bitter and even slightly rough taste. Accordingly, this matcha is very different from ceremonial matcha; it is lower in quality and price. 

The generally accepted main criteria for high-quality matcha, which is used pure in CHADO/SADO tea ceremonies, is a mild taste, delicate aroma with a delicate unobtrusive sweetness and a beautiful green color with a slightly golden tint. Such tea cannot be cheap and since it is delicate and soft, it is less suitable for confectionery and latte. 

I tried a lot of japanese ceremonial matcha to find for myself that elusive sweetness and amazingly vibrant green color.

The KITSUNE tea is on the right. 

Also, you can grind the matcha powder with your fingertips. 
The tea literally dissolves on your skin, absorbing like a cream. 

How long does matcha stay fresh for? 

Of course, the fresher the tea, the tastier and more aromatic it is. 
The Japanese never store tea for years and especially value the first cut of tea leaves, which is collected in May - "ichiban-cha" 

In Japan, tencha tea leaves (raw materials for matcha) can be stored for 1 year.....

Tencha is stored in special refrigerators, similar to those in which maguro tuna is stored.

The time really starts ticking as soon as the leaves have been ground and the powder has been produced. From the moment tencha is grated into the final product - matcha powder, the shelf life of unopened matcha  is 6 months. The manufacturing date is much more meaningful if you really care about the beneficial properties of Matcha Powder. 

When I order tea from farmers, the tea is ground into powder after my order. In principle, this is how all production works in Japan - before ordering and sending tea to a business partner, tencha tea raw materials are carefully stored and await their time to be ground into matcha powder, thereby retaining all the beneficial properties, aroma and color.

After opening the package, consume the tea soon (within around 1 month) for the freshest flavor and aroma. Keep in mind that even unopened tea will lose its freshness steadily after the 6 months best-before period.

KITSUNE Matcha are sourced at the renowned Ujitawara Town (UJI), Obukudani.

A renowned matcha region, the matcha produced here it's highly reputed for it's delicious tea with little bitterness. Its gentle taste makes it the perfect matcha for beginners. KITSUNE has implemented the latest pulverization tool that uses the same methods as a stone mill.

Such technology allows KITSUNE to prepare fine powdered tea.

Exploring the birthplace of Japanese green tea which transformed Japanese tea culture. 

Ujitawara Town, Kyoto, is known as the birthplace of the “Aosei Sencha Seihou,” a green tea processing method developed by Nagatani Soen during the Edo Period. This method became the foundation for green tea processing methods used today.

Embraced by small mountains, Ujitawara is home to sprawling tea farms. Nagatani Soen, known as the “Father of Japanese green tea,” was born at Yantan, Ujitawara Town. In 1738, he devised the Aosei Sencha Seihou, a tea processing method which steams new tea leaves before they are dried and hand-rolled on an equipment called hoiro. This method became the foundation for Japanese green tea processing methods used today.

Obujukudani, a valley at the end of a narrow forest path of Ujitahara. Tea cultivation at Ujitawara Town began during the Kamakura Period. A disciple of a noted priest, Mejo-e, introduced the cultivation method and planted the first tea seeds at Obukudani, which is located at the foot of the sacred Mt. Jubu. The climate and fertility of Obukudani made it an ideal place for tea cultivation, producing teas of superior taste. The hosakicha tea from Obu was offered to the Imperial court and to the Kamakura Shogun, and highly praised for its profound aroma.


matcha
  • uji matcha super premium samidori 40g uji matcha super premium samidori 40g
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha super premium samidori 40g

    KITSUNE Matcha are sourced at the renowned Ujitawara Town, Obukudani. A renowned matcha region, the matcha produc...
    Regular price
    ¥5,400
    Sale price
    ¥5,400
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  • uji matcha super premium samidori 100guji matcha super premium samidori 100g
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha super premium samidori 100g

    Cetemonial Grand Kyoto Uji Matcha. From Nagatani`s Family Factory to Your Cup! Freshly ground when you order for ma...
    Regular price
    ¥9,990
    Sale price
    ¥9,990
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  • uji matcha super premium samidori 40g (50 cans)uji matcha super premium samidori 40g (50 cans)
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha super premium samidori 40g (50 cans)

    Cetemonial Grand Kyoto Uji Matcha. From Nagatani`s Family Factory to Your Cup! Freshly ground when you order for ma...
    Regular price
    ¥154,400
    Sale price
    ¥154,400
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  • uji matcha for latte (premium) 100guji matcha for latte (premium) 100g
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha for latte (premium) 100g

    stonemill matcha for latte drinks, cocteiles and cakes All KITSUNE matcha, including matcha for lattes, comes directl...
    Regular price
    ¥5,100
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    ¥5,100
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  • uji matcha for latte (regular) 100guji matcha for latte (regular) 100g
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha for latte (regular) 100g

    stonemill matcha for latte drinks, cocteiles and cakes All KITSUNE matcha, including matcha for lattes, comes directl...
    Regular price
    ¥4,400
    Sale price
    ¥4,400
    Regular price
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  • uji matcha super premium samidori 500guji matcha super premium samidori 500g
    Vendor:
    KITSUNE

    uji matcha super premium samidori 500g

    Cetemonial Grand Kyoto Uji Matcha. 500g ( 100g / 5 pcs) From Nagatani`s Family Factory to Your Cup! Freshly ground ...
    Regular price
    ¥46,000
    Sale price
    ¥46,000
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