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“May 2022 harvest I’ve had another of this matcha master’s Asahi cultivar matcha from a vendor based in Japan. Looking to skirt the high shipping charge from Japan, I ordered from Rishi. This is...” Read full tasting note
Origin: Uji-Shirakawa, Kyoto, Japan
Cultivar: Asahi
Harvest: May 2022
Elevation: 250m
Kiyoharu Tsuji is the fifth-generation owner of the Tsujiki farm in the Shirakawa region of Uji, Kyoto. This area has an ancient history of tea production of more than 800 years and is where some of the top qualities of matcha and gyokuro are produced.
Tsuji San has received various awards for his teas and is known as a master tea artist. His teas consistently have the highest amino acids scores and L-theanine contents of any matcha in Japan and the world. Tsuji San is one of the most awarded and highly regarded tea artisan farmers in all of Japan.
Rishi is one of the few direct importers of his matcha allocations for North America. Tsuji San focuses on the farming and total processing of single origin and single cultivar selection. We don’t offer blends of his matcha. The Asahi cultivar characteristic is enriched and deep umami. Typically the Asahi from Tsuji San has nearly double the amino acid (richness scores) of any other matcha. This is due to Tsuji San’s unique organic and intense fertilization tactics as well as the core value of the cultivar and terroir synergy.
Tasting Notes
Silky, deep umami, vanilla cream, rich mouthfeel with hints of macadamia nut
Ingredients
Japanese green tea.
Traditional Preparation
Sift 1 tsp (2g) into a chawan
Add 2.5 oz (75ml) water at 170°F (75°C)
Use a chasen to whip into a smooth, rich foam
Rishi Tea specializes in sourcing the most rarefied teas and botanical ingredients from exotic origins around the globe. This forms a palette from which we craft original blends inspired by equal parts ancient herbal wisdom and modern culinary innovation. Discover new tastes and join us on our journey to leave ‘No Leaf Unturned’.
May 2022 harvest
I’ve had another of this matcha master’s Asahi cultivar matcha from a vendor based in Japan. Looking to skirt the high shipping charge from Japan, I ordered from Rishi.
This is good matcha, though nowhere near as great as the other one. Great color and foam, muted aroma; flavor is a little watered down for the amount of powder used and leans rather floral and like cucumber. Texture is not as silky as I’ve experienced with the other Asahi cultivar matcha. In fact, it’s kind of chalky. Perhaps this a function of age, since it was probably milled late last year or early this year (it is now October).
Not worth the high price to me.
Flavors: Algae, Cacao, Chalk, Cucumber, Custard, Floral, Macadamia, Moss, Roasted Nuts
