First harvest single cultivar Saemidori from Shizuoka, Japan. Vivid green, remarkably smooth, with natural sweetness, gentle umami, and very low astringency.
Description
2026 first harvest. Single cultivar. Grown in Shizuoka from Saemidori tea leaves picked at the earliest flush of the season, when the plant's energy is most concentrated and the leaves carry their fullest flavour. The best batch of this matcha we have sourced to date.
Saemidori means clear green, and the colour delivers on it. A vivid green, the result of shade growing and an exceptional harvest.
The texture is where this one stands out. Remarkably smooth and rounded, whisking into a fine, even foam. The flavour follows the same character, with natural sweetness present from the first sip, gentle umami underneath, and low astringency throughout.
Approachable enough for anyone new to ceremonial matcha, refined enough to hold its own for anyone who is not. One of the highest quality matchas available at this price.
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Cultivar: Saemidori (single cultivar)
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Harvest: 2026 first harvest
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Aroma: Fresh and clean, gently sweet
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Style: Smooth, rounded, naturally sweet
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Finish: Clean and lingering, very low astringency
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, GMO-Free, Sugar-Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian.
Please note: the 30g Tin is final stock from our previous batch from Yame and differs from the 2026 Shizuoka first harvest described on this page. Both are ceremonial grade, though origin and flavour profile vary between batches.
A note on packaging: Tin and pouch colours may vary. Colours are assigned at random and cannot be selected at this time.
*Tasting notes and colour descriptions reflect general sensory perception and data provided by our supplier, and may vary by individual preference, preparation method, and seasonal batch. We do our best to describe each product as accurately as possible.
*The image is for reference purposes only. The actual colour may vary slightly due to differences in the seasonal batch.
Why Saemidori Cultivar?
Most ceremonial matcha is blended from multiple cultivars. This one is not, and that is deliberate.
Blending is a practical decision. It smooths out variation between harvests and delivers a consistent cup year after year. But it also averages out the character of each cultivar, and what you gain in reliability you lose in identity.
Single cultivar matcha does the opposite. There is nothing to hide behind and nothing to soften the edges, so the cultivar's true character comes through undiluted. That only works if the cultivar can carry a cup on its own.
Saemidori can. Bred from a cross between Asatsuyu and Yabukita, it inherits a natural sweetness that most cultivars only develop through careful blending, along with a smooth, rounded texture that is genuinely uncommon.
The name means clear green, and both the colour and the character follow. Bright rather than heavy, sweet rather than sharp, and smooth from the first sip to the last. What you taste in the bowl is Saemidori itself, expressed clearly, with nothing else in the way.
Ingredients
Ceremonial-grade green tea fine powder
Character
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Thickness: Smooth and rounded
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Sweetness: Natural and forward, present from the first sip
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Umami: Gentle and balanced
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Astringency: Low
Origin
Shizuoka, ChΕ«bu, Japan
