Matcha "Hikari"

In Japanese Hikari means "light," but not "light" as in pale or airy; "light" as in the kind that comes 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 gently astringent finish lifts it into the roof of our palates. As intense as it is, Matcha Hikari is so balanced it leaves us feeling enlivened evenly, in every dimension.

While full bodied and umami-forward, this matcha from Nishio is slightly sweeter and brighter than matcha from the Yame region. It still feels rich, saline, and slippery, but stands out for the way it counters its own density. You could think of it as an uplifting counterpart to the distinct, downward pull we find in high quality matcha from Yame.