Keiko Uchida
Single Estate "Kyoto Blend" Matcha - Harukaze
Keiko's Tasting Notes: A blend of Samidori and Asahi varieties, with a gentle and sweet note. Single estate and hand-picked leaves. Produced by an award-winning 7th-generation tea farmer who produces Matcha tea exclusively.
Best Enjoyed As: Usucha, Matcha Latte, or Iced Matcha Latte
Uji, Kyoto · Blend
- Description
- About the Producer
- Storage & Care
The Samidori & Asahi Matcha Blend combines two premium matcha cultivars for a smooth, balanced flavour.
- Samidori offers a vibrant green colour and a rich, umami sweetness with a creamy texture.
- Asahi brings a delicate, floral aroma and a subtle sweetness, creating a refined and harmonious finish.
Ideal for Matcha lovers transitioning onto their own path to make matcha.
The Asahi variety, discovered in Gokasho, Uji, where the tea farm is located, was named by Jinnojo Hirano, who described it as standing out among native varieties. Its soft, thin, large leaves are vulnerable to the strong summer sun and late spring frosts, requiring the use of cheesecloth as a sunshade. This makes cultivation labour-intensive and challenging, with a short harvest period that limits yield and expansion.
Blended with the delicate and early harvested samidori variety, this blend is not one to miss out on.
Tea picking in Uji takes place for three weeks each spring, with 30 to 40 pickers working around the clock in shifts from 6 am to 6 pm daily.
Uji tea is grown using high-quality organic fertilisers, including rapeseed, sesame, and fish fertiliser. Pressed fertilisers are preferred over chemical-based fertilisers, with the fish fertiliser offering a pleasant scent upon delivery.
Each tea ridge in the tea farm has its own unique aroma, distinct from matcha but recognisably "tea." As the leaves open, a powdery fragrance fills the air, enhancing the tea-picking experience.
All In Japan, the japanese camellia 'tsubaki' by which matcha is from comes in a variety of types. Known to be used in Japanese tea rooms, the camellia is a flower with an eternal beauty. All of our Keiko Uchida matcha is named after different camellia varieties.
Please note that all best before dates are in the Japanese format YYYY.MM.DD
Keiko Uchida is a deeply enthusiastic lover of tea and has a personal mission to introduce the very finest Japanese matcha green teas to a wide global audience. Her own brand, the Keiko Uchida Matcha and Hojicha Collection, focuses on the very best organic flavours.
About the tea makers process:
Tea picking in Uji takes place for three weeks each spring, with 30 to 40 pickers working from 6 am to 6 pm daily. Traditionally, local housewives participated, but now retired men and Japanese tea instructors are also joining the workforce due to societal changes.
Uji tea is grown using high-quality organic fertilisers, including rapeseed, sesame, and fish fertiliser. Pressed fertilisers are preferred over chemical-based fertilisers, with the fish fertiliser offering a pleasant scent upon delivery.
Each tea ridge in the tea farm has its own unique aroma, distinct from matcha but recognisably "tea." As the leaves open, a powdery fragrance fills the air, enhancing the tea-picking experience.
We recommend storing your matcha in the refrigerator once opened. For the best flavour and colour, we recommend finishing the tin within 8 weeks of opening.
Gift Wrapping Service
For a special finishing touch, add our gift wrapping service to your cart and your order will be carefully wrapped in a reusable Japanese furoshiki cloth, reflecting the beauty and tradition of Japanese gift giving. Available for an additional £5.50.
Understanding Japanese Best Before Dates
Our best before dates follow the Japanese system (YY/MM/DD). You can find the best before date on the bottom of the tin.
Our tea is produced by some of the most prestigious tea makers in Japan. As they take great pride in their Matcha, they give it a six month best before date once ground.
Shipping & Returns
Delivery
We generally use Royal Mail for our deliveries:
- UK Standard Delivery (dispatched in 3–5 working days) – £4.95
- UK orders over £60 – FREE
- Store Collection (1–2 working days) – FREE
- EU Delivery – £19.00
- US Delivery – from £15.00
- Everywhere Else – from £16.00
Delivery times are estimates and may vary during busy periods or due to customs.
Customs & Import Charges
For EU orders under €150 (excluding shipping), VAT is collected at checkout. Orders over €150 may be subject to additional customs charges on arrival.
For deliveries outside the EU, any customs duties, taxes or import fees are the responsibility of the customer.
For full Delivery details, please see our Delivery & Returns Policy.
Returns
We want you to be happy with your purchase. If you’re not completely satisfied, we’re happy to help.
- Full-price items: return within 14 days
- Return postage: paid by the customer, unless the item is faulty, incorrect or not as described
- Food items: unfortunately cannot be returned for hygiene and safety reasons
For full Returns details, please see our Delivery & Returns Policy.
Single Estate "Kyoto Blend" Matcha - Harukaze
How to Prepare Matcha
1. Sift 1.5–2g of matcha into a tea bowl.
2. Add 70ml of hot water (around 80°C).
3. Using a bamboo chasen, whisk briskly in a vertical zigzag motion for around 15 seconds, until the matcha is completely smooth.
4. Enjoy immediately.
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