Article: 5 Popular Matcha from Kyoto, Uji

5 Popular Matcha from Kyoto, Uji
From 794 until 1868, Kyoto (京惽, Kyōto) was the capital and residence of the Japanese emperor. With 1.5 million residents and a contemporary appearance, it is among the top ten largest cities in the nation.
Despite being devastated by numerous wars and fires over the ages, Kyoto was spared from atomic bomb destruction during World War II because of its extraordinary historic significance. The city is still home to countless temples, shrines, and other historically significant buildings.
In addition, Kyoto is famous for green tea cultivation. In this article, we will focus more on Uji Kyoto, and matcha, particularly from this region.
Uji, Kyoto: What Makes This Region Famous for Matcha?
The Camellia sinensis is the plant from which all varieties of tea are derived. The leaves of Camellia sinensis are ground into a fine powder for matcha, and they are processed in various ways to make black tea, green tea, and even matcha tea.
The youngest tea leaves are used to make uji matcha powder, which is considered to be the best matcha in Japan. It originates from the Uji region of Japan, which is located on Kyoto's southeast border, hence its name. The area is thought to produce the best matcha, and the little city of Uji is well known for its tea. The highest-quality green tea leaves are guaranteed to grow because of Uji's climate and geographic location, which features hot, sunny summers and brutally cold winters.
The Japanese tea ceremony originated in Uji as well. In the 13th century, a Japanese Zen Buddhist priest named Myōan Eisai traveled to China and returned to Kyoto with tea seeds and the process for making green tea powder.
Today Unquestionably, Uji is a tea-focused city, and the riverside wooden tea houses there contribute to the air's distinctively delicate tea aroma. Beautifully flavored matcha and green tea are produced here and exported all over the world, including the well-known Tsuen tea, which comes from Japan's oldest tea house, which has been in operation since 1160.
5 Popular Matcha from Kyoto, Uji
Kyoto Geisha Matcha
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About this brand: "Kyoto Geisha Matcha" presents Japan's rare organic matcha to the world. Working with skilled tea masters who have 270 years of experience in Kyoto, we create premium, rare, single-origin matcha that is exclusive to the city.
This dedication ensures that the flavor and aroma of our matcha will remain unaltered, offering a true flavor experience.
In addition, we are committed to preserving matcha quality and Japanese culture in general. We also contribute to the preservation of Kyoto's rich cultural heritage through its "1% for Kyoto" campaign, which emphasizes our commitment to the local community and culture.
Matcha Recommendation: Super Ceremonial Grade Matcha
Price: $31.99 / $52.99
Taste: Rich umami & mellow sweetness
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Size: 30g, 1.06 oz / 100g, 3.53 oz
Ippodo Tea
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About this brand: Three hundred years ago, in 1717, Rihei Watanabe opened a shop called Omiya to sell tea and ceramics, marking the beginning of Ippodo's history. The shop was renamed Ippodo, which means "preserve one," in 1846. Because he loved Ippodo tea and wanted to uphold one tradition—serving great tea—Prince Yamashina gave the store its name. Ippodo has remained dedicated to offering high-quality Japanese tea ever since, while also changing with the times.
Ippodo's tea is mostly grown in the hills between the Uji and Kizu River basins in Kyoto, Nara, and Shiga Prefectures, all of which have comparable climates and natural settings.
Shrouded in river mist and grown at a high elevation with notable morning and evening temperature variations, Ippodo tea is prized for its delightful aroma and umami flavor.
A lot of manual labor is required in tea fields on steep hillside slopes, including constant daily care and hard work during picking season. High-quality tea production depends on the diligence and passion of experienced tea growers.
Matcha Recommendation: Ummon
Price: $58
Taste: Rich & Robust
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Size: 40g/ 1.4oz
Ocha & Co.
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About this brand:
Ocha & Co. delivers fresh quality matcha for you to taste incredible taste and quality, Japan's top tea farmers grow premium teas organically. Weekly small-batch shipping to our U.S. warehouse guarantees that you will be able to enjoy tea at its freshest. Ocha & Co., based in Japan, communicates with the growers every day to ensure that the teas are delivered to our warehouse in the USA as soon as they are produced.
Matcha Recommendation: Japanese Kyoto Uji Matcha Green Tea Powder
Price: $25.00
Taste: Mellow with a pleasant natural sweetness
Grade: -
Size: 50g/ 1.76 oz
KIMIKURA
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About this brand: KIMIKURA was established in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan, approximately 90 years ago.
Making Japanese tea requires a combination of our spirit, inherited abilities, and the gifts of nature.
The name "貴美蔵 KIMIKURA" comes from a warehouse where these exquisite and noble goods congregate.
Matcha Recommendation: Matcha Kyoto 京都
Price: $46.00
Taste: Fine umami and rich sweet flavor, with a luscious aftertaste
Grade: Premium Ceremonial Grade
Size: 30g/ 1 oz
Nio Teas
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About this brand: The vision is to discover the best pesticide-free green tea in Japan and distribute it to people worldwide.
To get the best Japanese green tea, we at Nio Teas go straight to the source. In order to speak with tea farmers and discover more about their delectable teas, we journey through towns, villages, and mountains.
Every farmer we collaborate with is dedicated to producing green tea without the use of chemicals or pesticides. We discover that this affects the ecosystem in which Japanese green tea is grown as well as the benefits of the tea.
Matcha Recommendation: Uji Tea Chanoka Silver
Price: $34.00
Taste: smoothness, depth, and complexity
Grade: Ceremonial Grade
Size: 30g/ 1oz