Tasting profile
Primary tasting notes
- LilyA stunning floral bouquet!
- Shiitake MushroomBroth-like umami that fills the whole palate.
- MossThe sweet smell of old lichens in the rain.
Origin and farming
- Terroir
- Somada Microterroir, Wazuka, Japan
- Farming method
- Biodynamic
About Wild Yabukita
Yabukita is the most popular (by a huge margin) tea cultivar grown in Japan. It generally produces very well-balanced teas.
This particular Yabukita, however, is very special. The farmer cleared the undergrowth from a forested portion of their land, then planted these Yabukita bushes there. All shading of this Tencha is thanks to the canopy of the trees that were left behind - not straw mats, nor plastic sheets, but the dappled light of a forest. As far as we know, this is unheard-of in the world of modern Tencha farming.
Whether it's because of the unique shading, the skill of the farmer, or some combo of the two (most likely answer), this "forest matcha" really stands apart as particularly smooth, aromatic, and rich, with floral and fruit notes on the nose and a sweet, earthy moss-like flavor on the finish.
About Somada and this farm
Somada is a sub-region of southeast Wazuka, the main tea town of Uji. The East Bank of the river is generally considered the most prized for growing shaded teas, as it receives more fog later into the Spring.
This matcha is from a portion of our favorite biodynamic farmer's land that has been left relatively wild, with natural tree cover providing the shading. Additionally, as with so many of our partner farmers, he is committed to natural farming without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Milled-To-Order: The perfect intersection of craft, terroir, and freshness.
Fresh milling is the final step in bringing our Wild Yabukita Matcha to life. Every single tin on our site is milled-to-order. Given that we value complexity so highly, we consider this necessary - milling shortly before consumption allows the more volatile aromatic compounds of matcha to still reach your bowl, allowing the artistry (and nature) behind each tea to truly shine!
