Samidori — Hand-picked Uji Matcha / Highest Grade
Umami: ★★★★★★
Sweetness: ★★★★★★
Bitterness: ★
Color: ★★★★★★
Origin: Uji, Kyoto
Variety: Samidori (First Flush)
Packaging: 20g Premium Tin
※Extremely Rare Hand-picked Matcha (Traditional Harvesting Method)
※Award-winning Matcha
“Samidori” is regarded as one of the most prestigious cultivars in Uji matcha.
This exceptionally rare, highest-grade matcha is celebrated for its rich umami, elegant sweetness, and remarkably smooth mouthfeel.
Carefully harvested using traditional hand-picking methods — a practice that has become extremely rare even within Japan today — only the youngest and most delicate tea leaves are selected. This meticulous process minimizes bitterness while creating a deep, refined, and sophisticated flavor profile.
Its vibrant jade-green color reflects the exceptional quality of first flush tea leaves. From the very first sip, intense umami and natural sweetness gently unfold across the palate, accompanied by delicate aromas reminiscent of fresh cream and white chocolate. Soft floral nuances linger beautifully, leading to a long, clean, and naturally sweet finish.
Highly regarded for both Koicha (thick tea) and Usucha (thin tea), Samidori offers the elegance, depth, and refinement that define authentic premium Uji matcha.
Honzu Cultivation — A Tradition Passed Down Since the Muromachi Period
Unlike modern covering methods that place synthetic materials directly over the tea plants, “Samidori” is cultivated using the traditional Uji technique known as “Honzu cultivation.”
Honzu cultivation is a historic shading method passed down in Kyoto and Uji since the Muromachi period. Shelves are built above the tea fields, where reed screens (yoshizu) and straw are carefully layered to gently block sunlight while allowing soft, natural light to pass through.
This extremely labor-intensive cultivation method enhances the tea leaves’ natural sweetness, umami, and aroma, producing tencha leaves of the highest quality — the essential ingredient for premium matcha.
The result is a uniquely mellow, complex, and refined flavor that cannot be replicated through mass production.
A truly special cup that embodies the heritage and craftsmanship of traditional Uji matcha.
Recommended for those seeking an authentic and uncompromising matcha experience.
