Matcha "Hikari" (For Matcha Latte)

西尾抹茶

Harvest
June 2024

Origin
Nishio, Aichi 

In Japanese Hikari means “light,” but not “light” as in pale or airy; “light” as in that which comes to us from the Sun. This matcha is vibrant in all of its qualities. It has a luminous, lichen green colour that deepens significantly when water hits it. It whisks into a silky liquid that tints milk a dense, limey hue. 

At first taste we are wowed by how powerful this matcha is. It is luscious and full bodied, delivering sweet and umami notes in equal measure. Its finish is gently astringent, lifting its aftertaste into the roof of our palates. As intense as this matcha is, it is so balanced it leaves us feeling awakened evenly, in every dimension. 

Matcha Hikari is slightly sweeter and brighter than our Yamabuki, but very similar in its full body and umami-forwardness. Like Yamabuki, it feels saline, slippery, and rich, but it stands out for the way it counters its own density, leaving us with a sense of levity compared to Yamabuki’s distinct, downward pull. 

Please see here for our blog post on how to make a delicious matcha latte at home!

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The history of matcha production in Nishio dates back 800 years ago, when a famous Zen Buddhist monk began growing tea bushes in Jissoji Temple. Today, it is one of the largest matcha producing regions in Japan, accounting for 30% of Japan’s matcha production. Astonishingly, almost all (97%) of the tea grown in Nishio is matcha, making it the only city in Japan that specializes in this type of traditional tea.