One of the rarest single-cultivar matchas to leave Japan. 2026 first harvest Ooiwase from Yame, Fukuoka. Layered, fresh, and warmly umami-rich — with a clean, elegant finish worth every sip.
Description
An exceptionally rare single-cultivar ceremonial matcha crafted from 2026 first harvest (ichibancha) Ooiwase tea leaves grown in Yame, Fukuoka, one of Japan's most celebrated and storied tea regions. Seldom produced, rarely exported, and almost never offered as a single-cultivar expression outside Japan, this is a matcha that earns its Imperial Grade designation.
This is a matcha of considered layering. It opens with fresh, lively vegetal notes, transitions through gentle sweetness, and settles into a warm, satisfying umami that lingers cleanly. The result is a cup that is balanced and refreshing, approachable on first sip, yet complex enough to reward the attentive drinker, with a finish that is clean, elegant, and quietly lasting.
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Best for: Usucha, daily rituals, matcha enthusiasts seeking rare single-cultivar experiences
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Cultivar: 100% Ooiwase (extremely rare single cultivar)
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Harvest: First harvest, 2026
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Style: Layered, balanced, refreshingly approachable
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Finish: Clean, elegant, and warmly lingering
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 Ooiwase Cultivar?
Ooiwase is among the rarest cultivars produced in Yame, seldom seen outside of Japan and rarely available as a single-cultivar offering. Where most commercial matcha relies on well-established cultivars like Saemidori or Yabukita, Ooiwase stands apart for its distinctive layered character and the particular intensity it draws from Yame's mineral-rich mountain terroir.
Its profile is defined not by a single dominant note, but by a smooth, considered progression, from a fresh vegetal opening through to sweet mid-palate and a warm umami close. This transition is what makes Ooiwase compelling, and what sets this Imperial Grade apart from the rest of the Maison Koko collection.
- Exceptionally rare, seldom available as a single-cultivar outside of Japan
- First harvest 2026 — the freshest crop available, picked at peak flavour and potency
- A layered flavour profile that moves from fresh and vegetal to sweet and umami-rich
- Grown in Yame, Japan's benchmark region for sweetness, depth, and mellow umami
- Intense green pigment, a hallmark of careful shading and first-harvest quality
Ingredients
Ceremonial-grade green tea fine powder (100% Ooiwase single cultivar, first harvest 2026)
Character
- Thickness: Light to medium, lively and clean
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Sweetness: Gentle, emerging mid-palate
- Umami: Warm and satisfying, lingers on the finish
- Vegetal Notes: Fresh and lively on the opening, fading gracefully
- Astringency: Low and well-integrated, clean throughout
Origin
Yame, Fukuoka, Japan
