Smooth, Sweet-leaning Usucha Matcha with Elegant Umami
Iwai no Shiro (祝の白) is a premium Japanese ceremonial matcha powder crafted for usucha (thin tea) — the style most people drink day-to-day in traditional settings. It’s refined, calm, and exceptionally smooth, with a vivid green colour and a creamy mouthfeel that makes you immediately understand what “high-end matcha” means.
If you’re looking for a ceremonial matcha that drinks beautifully on its own — without needing sugar, milk, or flavouring — this is a standout choice.
Chef Director’s Tasting Notes
In our comparative tastings, Iwai no Shiro exceeded in the following aspects:
- Bitterness: nearly negligible
- Finish: smooth → subtle umami
- Texture: creamy, refined
Why “High-End Matcha” Is Different (Beyond the Word “Ceremonial”)
"Ceremonial" is often used as a marketing label, not a universal standard. There is currently no single international grading system for matcha — but in practice, price and sourcing usually correlate with leaf selection, processing care, and (most importantly) freshness handling.
The best matcha is difficult to produce and difficult to obtain:
- Tea plants are shade-grown for weeks to build sweetness and amino acids
- Tender leaves are harvested in spring, then steamed and dried into tencha
- Tencha is cut, then stone-milled slowly (a traditional stone mill can produce only about 40g per hour)
- Final flavour is shaped by expert blending, lot selection, and strict handling
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) — among the highest ranks in Japanese tea appraisal.
Freshness-first: 注文挽き (Ground-to-order)
Shogyokuen ships matcha as "注文挽き"(ground-to-order): they don’t treat matcha like a warehouse commodity. Grinding closer to the order helps preserve aroma, vibrancy, and the “alive” mouthfeel that defines top matcha.
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
- Usucha (thin tea) as a daily ceremonial matcha
- Drinkers who want smoothness + umami without bite
- Gifting to someone who appreciates premium tea and refined flavour
Ingredients
100% stone-ground Japanese matcha (green tea)
Storage Tips
- Matcha is sensitive to heat, moisture, light, and odours.
- Keep sealed airtight
- Store cool and dry (fridge is recommended after opening)
FAQ
Is this good for lattes? It can be used, but this is designed to be enjoyed pure. Milk and sweeteners can mute the nuance you’re paying for.
Why does ceremonial matcha cost more? Cultivation, selection, and freshness handling are stricter — and the best lots are limited by nature.
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.
