Premium Ceremonial Matcha (Hatsu Mukashi)

Description

Crafted exclusively for Maison Koko by Shinsuke Tsuji, heir to the Tsujirihei Honten legacy. This is a bespoke blend, developed for us alone, and it represents the highest expression of our partnership with the house.

Hatsu Mukashi is a carefully composed assemblage of Okumidori, Samidori and Sayamakaori cultivars. Okumidori creates the foundation with rounded umami, gentle sweetness and body. Samidori adds clarity, refinement and brilliant colour, while Sayamakaori brings structure, complexity and length.

It opens softly with gentle sweetness rather than pronounced bitterness. Rounded umami develops across the palate, followed by freshness and quiet complexity. The texture is silky, creamy and refined, leading to a clean, elegant finish that lingers.

• Cultivars: 85% Okumidori, 15% Samidori and Sayamakaori
• Appearance: Deep jade with brilliant green clarity
• Style: Umami-rich, gently sweet and elegantly structured
• Finish: Clean, refined and long-lasting

Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, GMO-Free, Sugar-Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian.

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 Hatsu Mukashi?

The defining feature of Hatsu Mukashi is its deliberate three-cultivar composition. Okumidori forms the body and umami-rich foundation, while the smaller proportion of Samidori and Sayamakaori acts as an accent, adding aromatic depth, flavour definition, complexity and a longer finish.

Each cultivar retains its individual character while contributing to one balanced expression: body, elegance and structure in a single bowl.

Prepared by sixth-generation tea master Shinsuke Tsuji, this blend was developed exclusively for Maison Koko and is not part of the house’s standard range.

Ingredients

Ceremonial-grade green tea fine powder

Character

• Sweetness: Gentle and natural, introducing the bowl without sharpness
  
• Umami: Deep, rounded and pronounced through the centre of the palate
  
• Aroma: Fresh leaves, young bamboo, green herbs, subtle roasted nuts and refined shade-grown notes
• Bitterness: Restrained rather than dominant
• Astringency: Low and delicate, adding definition to the finish
• Mouthfeel: Silky, creamy and refined without feeling heavy
• Finish: Clean, elegant and exceptionally long

Origin

Uji, Kyoto, Japan