{"product_id":"premium-ceremonial-matcha-powder-imperial-grade","title":"Premium Ceremonial Matcha (Imperial Grade)","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDescription\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn exceptionally rare single-cultivar ceremonial matcha crafted from \u003cstrong\u003e2026 first harvest (ichibancha)\u003c\/strong\u003e Ooiwase tea leaves grown in Yame, Fukuoka, one of Japan's most celebrated and storied tea regions. \u003cstrong\u003eSeldom produced, rarely exported\u003c\/strong\u003e, and almost \u003cstrong\u003enever offered as a single-cultivar\u003c\/strong\u003e expression outside of Japan, this is a matcha that earns its Imperial Grade designation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a matcha of considered layering. It opens with fresh, lively vegetal notes, transitions through \u003cstrong\u003egentle sweetness\u003c\/strong\u003e, and settles into a warm,\u003cstrong\u003e satisfying umami\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usucha, daily rituals, matcha enthusiasts seeking rare single-cultivar experiences\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultivar:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Ooiwase (extremely rare single cultivar)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e First harvest, 2026\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Layered, balanced, refreshingly approachable\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish: \u003c\/strong\u003eClean, elegant, and warmly lingering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDairy-Free, Gluten-Free, GMO-Free, Sugar-Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tin and pouch colours may vary. Colours are assigned at random and cannot be selected at this time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Please note that the image is for reference purposes only. The actual colour may vary slightly due to differences in the seasonal batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Ooiwase Cultivar?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOoiwase 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptionally rare, seldom available as a single-cultivar outside of Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst harvest 2026 — the freshest crop available, picked at peak flavour and potency\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA layered flavour profile that moves from fresh and vegetal to sweet and umami-rich\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrown in Yame, Japan's benchmark region for sweetness, depth, and mellow umami\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntense green pigment, a hallmark of careful shading and first-harvest quality\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to Prepare\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsucha – Light \u0026amp; Frothy (1 Serve)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSift 2g (1 tsp) of matcha into a warm bowl.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 60ml of water heated to 70°C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhisk briskly in a zig-zag motion until a fine froth forms on top.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKoicha – Bold \u0026amp; Velvety (1 Serve)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSift 4g (2 tsp) of matcha into a warm bowl.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 20ml of water (70°C) and knead with your whisk until smooth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd another 20ml and whisk until thick and silky.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Golden Matcha Ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBase Ratio (4:40):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e4g matcha + 40ml hot water (70°C)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHot Matcha Latte (200 ml):\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 4g matcha + 40ml hot water (70°C) + 160ml milk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIced Matcha Latte (300 ml):\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 6g matcha + 60ml hot water (70°C) + 240ml milk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Whisk matcha with hot water before adding cold milk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is best to use our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/maisonkoko.com\/products\/matcha-whisk-120-prong\" title=\"Maison Koko Bamboo Matcha Whisk (120 Prongs)\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBamboo Matcha Whisk\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/maisonkoko.com\/products\/glass-matcha-bowl-with-spout\" title=\"Maison Koko Glass Matcha Bowl with Spout\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGlass Bowl with Spout\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeremonial-grade green tea fine powder (100% Ooiwase single cultivar, first harvest 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCharacter\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThickness: \u003c\/strong\u003eLight to medium, lively and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweetness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle, emerging mid-palate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUmami:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm and satisfying, lingers on the finish\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVegetal Notes: \u003c\/strong\u003eFresh and lively on the opening, fading gracefully\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAstringency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low and well-integrated, clean throughout\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYame, Fukuoka, Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Maison Koko","offers":[{"title":"30g Pouch","offer_id":45744372089058,"sku":"1005-1","price":74.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100g Pouch","offer_id":45744372121826,"sku":"1005-2","price":224.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30g Tin","offer_id":47818840146146,"sku":"1005-3","price":79.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/1800\/5218\/files\/Premium_Ceremonial_Matcha_Imperial_Grade_Powder_Maison_Koko.png?v=1779563047","url":"https:\/\/maisonkoko.com\/products\/premium-ceremonial-matcha-powder-imperial-grade","provider":"Maison Koko","version":"1.0","type":"link"}