Morisakiさん Okumidori (おくみどり) Wazuka Matcha. 20g
Chartreuse. Summer Greens. Brisk.
A brisk and refreshing Okumidori, with loud herbal notes similar to French Chartreuse. Roasty notes on aroma.
Stone-Milled: Fresh Ground in Lawrenceville, NJ
About this Matcha
2023 Vintage
Chartreuse. Summer Greens. Brisk.
A brisk and refreshing Okumidori, with loud herbal notes similar to French Chartreuse. Roasty notes on aroma.
Good weather in 2023 has created a particularly good vintage, though with a lower overall yield. Robust, clean, brisk — tannic and forward, with a brief, but soothing, finish that leaves some electricity across the top surface of the back of the tongue. Sesame, gourd, light shoyu. Not medicinal, but greenly herbal — think Chartreuse. Touch of Ka (a gentle tastiness) and sweet mint. Bouquets of green foliage, herbs, and late summer vegetables. Inviting color, attributable to the Okumidori cultivar that is renowned for such features.
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Wazuka is one of the larger production areas in the prefecture, certainly larger than the exclusively smaller Uji region. Though, it’s worth remembering that “larger” is relative. Shizuoka prefecture produces 10X the tea as Kyoto Precture, Wazuka included.
Shorter shading durations will result in a Matcha that is sharp, fresh, and bright—versus longer-shaded Matcha that will be more savory, deep, and complex. We hope you’ll enjoy this vibrant Matcha as the colder months draw upon us.
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To make a fresh and smooth bowl of Usucha or Koicha, follow our brewing instructions.
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Long-term Storage: Store unopened Ooika Matcha in the refrigerator. Consume within 6 months.
Room-Temp Short-term Storage: Store opened Ooika Matcha in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. Consume within 3 months.
Refrigerator Short-term Storage: Opened Matcha can be stored in the refrigerator to help maintain freshness, however, the Matcha is at risk of condensation when cooler than ambient air. For this reason, if you choose to store an opened Matcha in the refrigerator, be sure to take the Matcha you need and then immediately place it back in the refrigerator to minimize exposure to the warm air.
Ochairinikki (御茶入日記)
Category Green tea (お茶) |
Subcategory OISHITACHA (おおいしたちゃ) |
Grade Ceremonial |
Terroir Wazuka, Kyoto, Japan |
Vintage 2023 |
Cultivar Okumidori (おくみどり) |
Harvest Method Sentei Ki (剪定機) |
Shading Style Jika Kabuse (Direct shading) |
Shading Duration 20 days |
Milling Ishi-Usu (石臼) Stone-Milled by Ooika |
Packaging Cold-stored, oxygen-free bag |
Use Usucha, Koicha |
Morisakiさん
Tokyo-born, IT/Environmental engineer turned tea farmer, Morisakiさん.
Many of the native tea plants, known as Zairai (在来) in his garden are over a century old.
This is very uncommon, as old bush trees produce less tea, and are less attractive on the commercial market.
Morisakiさん protects them, giving us access to the wild authenticity of the land.
Visiting Morisakiさん’s Farm
Nestled in a valley, among the rolling hills of Wazuka. Morisakiさん watches over various cultivars, as well as wild tea bushes (known as Zairai.)
Maintaining Zairai wild bushes is an uncommon practice - as these bushes are more unpredictable in yield, harvest time, and taste.
The Steep Hills of Wazuka
We drive through the rain on steep slopes to get to the tea fields.
The road is barely wider than the truck, which shutters and slips along the mud.
Many times I think we’ll become fertilizer for the plants down the valley below.
2022 Vintage - Sold Out
Herbal. Grassy. Bright.
Bright, fresh, and herbal Okumidori cultivar matcha from Morisakiさん of Wazuka, Kyoto.
Delicate aroma like easily damaged floral petals. Raw spring peas, cucumber, or raw zucchini-like bitterness and pointed tannin, with a weighty base - like a triangle with dulled rather than sharp points. Appropriate for a cold spring, softer than the briskness of the winter season but not quite as mellowed as humid summer days. Sweet bitterness, like burnt caramel. Note the herbal aromas that layer over the grassy base of the tea. A light, refreshing bitterness on the tail complements its pleasant sweetness. Round, bounce, and fair—all words to describe this friendly Matcha.
