Vivid Green Ceremonial Matcha for Both Koicha and Usucha
Chiyomukashi (千代昔) is for matcha lovers who want strong umami, striking colour, and enough depth to work beautifully as both:
- Koicha (thick tea) — formal, slow, intensely concentrated
- Usucha (thin tea) — lighter, frothier, everyday ceremonial style
It’s one of those matchas where the visual alone — that vivid green — signals quality before you even taste it.
Chef Director’s Tasting Notes
- Umami: very strong
- Sweetness: naturally sweet
- Colour: absolutely beautiful, vivid green
- Versatility: suitable for both koicha and usucha
Why “High-End Matcha” Is Different (Beyond the Word “Ceremonial”)
Many brands label products "ceremonial", but the term isn’t regulated by a single global standard. For truly high-end matcha, quality shows up in:
- Shade-growing that builds sweetness and amino acids
- Gentle processing into tencha
- Slow, cool stone milling (often ~40g per hour per mill)
- Skilled blending and strict handling to preserve aromatics
Supervised by Shogyokuen’s 5th-generation tea master
This matcha is supervised by Shogyokuen's 5th-generation tea master Hiroshi Kobayashi (茶審査技術 十段 / Judan, Level Ten).
Freshness-first: 注文挽き (Ground-to-order)
Shogyokuen ships matcha as "注文挽き"(ground-to-order) to protect aroma, sweetness, and depth.
Because ground-to-order freshness is the point, we only carry a small amount at a time and restock in limited drops — rather than holding large inventory for long periods.
Best For
- People exploring koicha for the first time
- Matcha drinkers who prioritize umami + vivid green colour
- Traditional tea practice (casual or formal)
Ingredients
100% stone-ground Japanese matcha (green tea)
Storage Tips
Seal tightly; store cool; keep away from spice cupboards and coffee (matcha absorbs odours). We recommend refrigerating after opening.
FAQ
Is this “too intense” for beginners? In usucha, you can dilute slightly to match your preference. The quality holds up.
Why use it for koicha? Its umami strength and sweetness make it satisfying even at high concentration.
For baking and making lattes, we recommend using Copper Tea’s line of matcha as the presence of astringency and bitterness balances the sweet and creamy nature of baked goods and mixed beverages.
