Type: First flush green tea, deep steamed (Fukamushi / 深 蒸 し), kabusecha

Origin: Soo, Kagoshima, Japan

Cultivation: Utilizes Chagusaba Agriculture, shaded for extra umami flavor

Mataki Takefumi practices the Chagusaba agricultural method for growing tea leaves in which grass (primarily suzuki) grown around the fields are cut, dried, and laid between the tea hedges to prevent weed growth and to fertilize the soil.

Cultivar: Saemidori

Awards:
2020-2021 Superior Taste Award (International Taste Institute’s jury of the world’s best Chefs & Sommeliers)
Great Taste Awards 2019 (2 stars)
Great Taste Awards 2020 (1 star)
Great Taste Awards 2021 (3 stars)
Teas of the World 2019 Gourmet Medal
Japanese Tea Selection Paris 2019 (Silver Medal)
Japanese Tea Selection Paris 2020 (Gold Medal)
Japanese Tea Award 2018 (Fine Product Award)

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness 4/5
Astringency 1/5
Bitterness 2/5
Umami 5/5
Green Roast 3/5

About the Farmer
Mataki Takefumi, 3rd generation tea farmer and CEO of Sueyoshi Tea Atelier, believes tea brings forth connections. With this philosophy in mind, they strive to deliver their delicately and finely grown teas to as many people as possible. They also aspire to promote a meaningful way of living that will extend beyond one’s cup of tea.

The Sueyoshi farm and factory is located in the Soo district (pronounced “Soh-oh”) in Kagoshima Prefecture. A stunning volcanic mountain range rich with biodiversity, the region is on the southern end of the beautiful Kirishima Mountain Range. Mataki-san takes pride in selecting the highest quality tea leaves (harvested once a year), leaves that have been grown with time and deep care.

He is also proactive in preserving the biodiveristy of the region thru the practice of Chagusaba Agriculture from Shizuoka Prefecture, recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in 2013 by UNESCO.

50 g - 18 € 

100 g - 32 € (with original washi paper package)