Yamamasa Koyamaen-Matsukaze

Matsukaze Matcha from Yamamasa Koyamaen is a straight forward whopper of a matcha. It's bold with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and citrus peel. The mouthfeel is somewhat creamy and astringent, with very little umami.

As the first in the Yamamasa lineup, Matsukaze is an entry-level tea suitable for usucha (thin tea), lattes, and culinary uses. Despite its affordable price and entry-level status, this matcha offers excellent value for those who appreciate a robust flavor profile.

Yamamasa Koyamaen is a traditional and historic tea company based in Ogura, Uji, Japan, founded in 1861. They are well regarded for maintaining very high standards for their raw material, processing, and stone milling. Masajiro Koyama, a former president of the company, helped develop the Samidori cultivar in Ogura.

A typical serving for usucha is 2 grams, while a typical serving for a matcha latte is 4 grams.