Competitive Grade Tea.
Beyond the time of 600 years.
As Ashikaga Shogunate acknowledged the good quality of Uji Tea in the Muromachi Period (1338–1573), he designated seven tea gardens in Uji which were later called Uji Shichimeien (meaning “seven distinguished tea gardens of Uji”). Most of these gardens disappeared with the urbanization and now only “Okunoyama” tea garden (owned by Horii Shichimeien) remains.
This garden used to grow more than 1500 indigenous tea plants that can be considered as the roots of Uji Tea. In 1981, however, as they did a replanting of the whole garden, they selected the tea plants that are best suited for Uji Tea to be passed down to the next generation. 53 kinds were selected first and after years of testing and research on the quality (the flavor, the fragrance, and the color of tea leaves and made tea) and the strength and the yield, they were narrowed down to 2 kinds in 1994. They then had 6 years of experimentation period in cultivation until they were sure they had the finest Uji Tea they can be proud of in the future. They applied for registration in the Registry of Plant Varieties in 2000 and Uji Tea was registered in November of 2002.
20 years after the replanting in 1981, they finally came up with the 2 kinds of tea that are truly suited for tencha. One of them was named “Narino.” Narino received the Minister’s Award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2010. It means Narino was recognized as the number one matcha in Japan for its rich fragrance and tasty flavor without bitterness. It is Horii Shichimeien’s original, non-blended, single-breed matcha, which is truly rare in the market. Please give it a try and I’m sure you will enjoy it!
Its exquisite fragrance instantly captivates, exuding fantastic freshness and a special intangible beauty and boasts a unique, sweet, creamy flavour. A lighter and far sweeter tea than Mumon, its innate beauty and brilliant flavour will send your senses soaring.
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Item code: HSM001
Origin: Kyoto Pref., JAPAN
Ingredients: green tea powder
Best before: DEC / 2021
Dimensions: ø 7.5 cm, H: 3 cm
As Usucha:
STEP 1) Put 2g (0.4 US tsp, 1 teaspoon or 2 chashaku scoop) matcha powder into a suitable tea bowl.
STEP 2) Pour 70 ml (2.4 fl oz) 80℃ (176°F) water over the matcha powder.
STEP 3) Whisk with a chasen (tea whisk) until foamy.
As Koicha:
STEP 1) Put 4g (0.8 US tsp, 2 teaspoon or 4 chashaku scoop) matcha powder into a suitable tea bowl.
STEP 2) Pour 30 ml (1 fl oz) 80℃ (176°F) water over the matcha powder.
STEP 3) Gently knead with a chasen (tea whisk) until all lumps are gone.
❖ Before Step 1, warm up the tea bowl with hot water, then dry it with a cloth to create the perfect temperature so make the most delicious matcha with a fresh scent while preparing. (Optional)
❖ To prevent clotting of the matcha powder, sift it through a fine strainer before use. (Strongly recommended)
❖ After the matcha is done, drink it immediately, because as it cools down it gets more and more bitter. (Recommended)
❖ Freshness is the most important thing for the enjoyment of Matcha. It is best to use up the tea within one month of opening. (Strongly recommended)
Latest Product Reviews
Co******, 2021-05-06 18:04, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
So good! I decided to treat myself to some more high-end matcha and I was not disappointed. Very nice as koicha, the flavor profile is vegetal and full-bodied with no bitterness or astringency. It has a pleasant grassy aftertaste that makes you want to sip slowly to savor the flavor. Mellow yet energetic! I couldn't recommend this matcha more.
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Ga******, 2021-02-06 16:34, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Superb matcha indeed. I totally get what another another reviewer was saying: this blows away any medium-high end Marukyu Koyamaen.
I think I have found my daily default after months of searching, thank you Sazen!
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Fe******, 2020-12-20 16:33, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Well, here it is again: I am easily satisfied with the best. Formidable as koicha! The aroma! The taste! An hour-long aftertaste. Excellent matcha.
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ha******, 2020-12-11 20:45, CANADA
SUPER round (if to use geometric shape to describe taste, this one is a full circle, you poke it at any angle and it bounces back smoothly). Its level of balance beats all the medium-high range Marukyu Koyamaen I tried so far (though serious competition Tenju is up next)
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Ky******, 2020-10-04 21:09, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
This is my favorite matcha. I continuously search for the most premium matcha available to me in the United States, and have had many that were exceptional...
Reading the info on this matcha gave me the confidence to start with a 100g tin -- i'm so glad I did. I was truly blow away by the color and rich, intoxicating savory aroma when I first opened it.. I continued to open the can to marvel at the smell all throughout the day! It's smooth, balanced, rich yet creamy. It's so good that it's almost ineffable to describe. I had matcha before this that I considered to be my favorite, but this one is like the pinnacle of matcha.. Just perfect in every way.
It's one of the least bitter matchas I've had as koicha, not overpowering at all, simply pure green tea essence umami in a cup -- and as usucha the flavors are still rich! It's absolutely wonderful.
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Me******, 2019-07-01 15:26, FRANCE
It is one of my favorite... the umami flavor is really amazing. when someone really loves matcha someone must test this one ... and thanks to sazen !! thanks to you european tea lovers can taste it
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Sh******, 2018-10-14 16:18, SINGAPORE
Absolutely amazing.
Smooth clean and clear umami mouthfeel.
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G******, 2018-01-15 23:00, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
This matcha is very special. The scentwas reminded me of smelling something creamy. This matcha truly delighted my senses form the scent to the taste when made as Koicha. An excellent matcha!
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At******, 2017-07-02 13:05, SINGAPORE
An excellent matcha for koicha. Has a sweet taste no matter the temperature of the water. Will buy again.
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Be******, 2016-10-06 09:15, UNITED KINGDOM
Absolutely delicious! I was excited to hear that Sazen Tea were bringing a new supplier on board. They don't disappoint. Lovely flavorful non blend Matcha. I'm ordering some more!
Did you find this review useful? (1)
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