One of the top three matchas in our range — and our signature. 2026 first harvest Saemidori from Yame, Fukuoka, carefully selected in very limited quantities. Exceptionally vivid green, mellow and creamy, with rich umami balanced by a natural sweetness that makes every cup quietly extraordinary.
Description
Sourced from Yame and made exclusively from 2026 first harvest Saemidori cultivar, this Koko Edition represents one of the most refined expressions of ceremonial matcha in the Maison Koko collection and one of the top three matchas in our range by quality score.
This is our signature ceremonial matcha, carefully selected from a very limited pool of exceptional batches — only those that earned their place in our range. The one we reach for every morning, the one we recommend first, and the one that has quietly become a daily ritual for thousands of people who never thought of themselves as matcha lovers. Until they tried it.
The colour is exceptionally vivid green. The mouthfeel is rounded and creamy, not sharp, not thin, but full and smooth in a way that coats the palate gently. The umami is rich and present, balanced by a natural sweetness that is unmistakably Saemidori. Very low astringency. No harsh edges. Just a mellow, refined cup that is as satisfying on the hundredth preparation as it was on the first.
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Cultivar: 100% single cultivar Saemidori
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Harvest: 2026 First Harvest, handpicked mid-May and shade-grown
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Colour: Vivid green
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Style: Mellow and smooth, rounded creamy mouthfeel
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Taste: Rich umami and natural sweetness — sweetness-forward
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Astringency: Very low — smooth from first sip to last
Saemidori (さえみどり) means "clear green" in Japanese — and the name fits in every sense. The cup is luminous. The flavour is clean and composed. The experience is exactly what ceremonial matcha should be, made accessible without being simplified.
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 Saemidori Cultivar?
There is a reason we chose Saemidori for our signature matcha. Of all the ceremonial cultivars grown in Japan, few offer the combination of accessibility and refinement that Saemidori does, a cultivar that rewards first-time drinkers and experienced ones equally, without asking either to compromise.
Saemidori — "clear green" — registered in 1990
Saemidori (さえみどり) was bred from a cross between Asatsuyu and Yabukita, inheriting the deep, natural sweetness of Asatsuyu and the resilience and balance of Yabukita. Registered in 1990 and now one of the most valued ceremonial cultivars in Japan, it has earned its reputation simply by tasting extraordinary.
Sweetness as a defining character
Most ceremonial matchas lead with umami, with sweetness arriving later as a soft finish. Saemidori reverses tha; the natural sweetness is present from the very first sip, threading gently through the cup alongside the umami rather than underneath it. The result is a matcha that feels complete and resolved from the start, with nothing sharp and nothing missing.
A creamy mouthfeel that is genuinely unusual
Saemidori is among the few ceremonial cultivars that produces a distinctly creamy, rounded texture, not through any processing technique, but through the cultivar's own character. The mouthfeel coats the palate smoothly, making each sip feel full and satisfying in a way that lighter matchas simply don't.
Vivid green, the colour that reflects quality
The vivid, luminous green of Saemidori is not cosmetic; it is a direct result of shade growing, which stimulates chlorophyll production in the tea plant. In Yame's mountain conditions, with extended shading and cool highland air, Saemidori's natural green character is at its most intense and saturated.
Ingredients
Ceremonial-grade Japanese green tea fine powder (100% first harvest Saemidori cultivar)
Character
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Mouthfeel: Rounded and creamy, smooth, full, and coating
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Sweetness: Natural and forward, present from the very first sip
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Umami: Rich and present — balanced by natural sweetness throughout
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Character: Mellow and refined, gentle, composed, and deeply satisfying
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Astringency: Very low, smooth from first sip to finish
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Finish: Clean and lingering
Origin
Yame, Fukuoka, Japan
