Matcha "Hana" (For Matcha Latte)

西尾抹茶

Harvest
Spring 2024

Origin
Nishio, Aichi 

​​Introducing an exciting new option for matcha latte, Matcha “Hana” from Nishio, Aichi. 

We found this amazing matcha on our sourcing trip to Japan last month, and fell in love with it instantly. It sits well alongside our other options for matcha latte, Yamabuki and Kakegawa, offering something entirely different, and uniquely sweet.

On our sourcing trip we visited 9 matcha producers in Nishio, some big and some small. Some of them were well established companies, while others were small tea farmers who grow, harvest, and craft their own matcha independently. After sampling over 50 matcha from this region, we honed in on Matcha Hana. It stood out, both as a high quality and well balanced example of matcha from this region, and for an incredible sweetness that sets apart from the Yamabuki and Kakegawa we carry. 

Matcha Hana has an impressive intensity of flavour without being weighty or mouth coating. Its light, silky mouthfeel is refreshing, and delivers an exhilarating bouquet of floral notes underlaid by sweetness. Its clean finish leaves only the taste of sugar on the tongue, like a flowery hard candy the second after it has dissolved entirely. 

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.