Tsuen Tea

We didn't think we would ever be able to offer another matcha comparable to the famous Manten we currently carry; yet it has come to pass! Like Manten, we realize Uji Matcha Taiko-San is an expensive matcha and we make no bones about it - this is about as an exclusive matcha as you will ever find. If you are in search of the absolute best matcha available anywhere, however, then your search is over! Until O-Cha.com obtained this gem from Japan's oldest teashop, this matcha had never been sold outside of Japan.

A few words about this item...

The farm where Taiko-San is grown is known as "Taikou-tsutsumi" and is located not too far from our supplier Tsuen tea's shop in Uji Japan. The area is both a tea farm as well as an archaeological site. The matcha is produced in this small field by the river beside an ancient levee, which is being studied for its construction methods. The grower, Mr. Fukui, farms several strains of tea in this plot and he adjusts the blend every year according to the plants condition to create the specific flavor. As with Manten, the plot is small and the yield is limited.

This handpicked tea has an abundance of umami, which has been described by Tsuen as sweet with a hint of bitter and having a fresh green smell. The color is a rich and dark, very intense green froth. Compared with Manten, this matcha has a more masculine taste. Again, the grower has an extremely small production, and is currently supplying only the local market with this grade so the supply is extremely limited. O-Cha.com will have this item in stock as supplies are available, which may be very hit and miss. Because of limited space and the age of the tea plants used for this item the grower will never be able to increase his production. There is no competition for this grade - this is a connoisseur's class matcha. As with matcha Manten, O-Cha.com is the first to carry this matcha outside of Japan. Koicha (matcha which can be made thick) is sweeter, milder tasting than usucha (the normal matcha which is made in a thinner consistency). Because twice the amount of tea powder is used to make a thicker tea, a milder, less bitter product is required. While you can brew a thick matcha in the normal "thin" manner, the opposite is not true and there are really very few matcha green teas which one can make a true thick style matcha. Taiko-san, along with Manten, however, is one of those.

If you wish to brew this in a thick manner, you may want to consider obtaining a tea whisk made especially for koicha

Net Weight 30gm

The highest grade of gyokuro sold from Japan's oldest continuously operating tea shop. O-Cha.com is honored to offer this superb green tea supplied to us from the Tsuen family who have operated their teashop from same location on the banks of the Uji river since 1160.

Uji Gyokuro "Yume no Uki-hashi" is a very high quality, first-flush gyokuro, this green tea is hand picked and is a proprietary blend of "Gokou" and "Yabukita" breeds of green tea, with the "Gokou" being prominent. Gyokuro is shade grown before harvesting, giving it a greener color and sweeter taste. Once you learn to make it properly, you wil be hooked for life! Since this is a connoisseur grade of gyokuro and is not considered a beginner's green tea, make sure to read our brewing instructions as it is brewed differently than sencha.

Available in 100g packaging.

The highest grade of gyokuro we sell from Japan's oldest continuously operating tea shop, Tsuen in Uji near Kyoto. Note that Uji Shirakawa Gyokuro is a very limited-edition item, we are supplying it because the opportunity to offer it presented itself to us and we strive to supply the best of the best. We do not recommend that you purchase this rare item unless you have previously practiced brewing gyokuro. O-Cha.com is honored to offer this superb green tea supplied to us from the Tsuen family who have operated their teashop from same location on the banks of the Uji river since 1160.

Grown in nearby Shirakawa, this is an extremely high quality gyokuro. Gyokuro is shade grown before harvesting, giving it a greener color and sweeter taste. Less that 0.5 % of all green tea harvested in Japan ends up as gyokuro, and among those, this gem is near the top. This green tea is hand-picked (rare - see video tab) and is pure "Gokou" cultivar. Another unique aspect is that unlike the majority of gyokuro grown today, the shading is not done with modern shade cloth but instead using traditional straw and reed screening. The combination of hand-picking and traditional shading methods makes this a very "old school" gyokuro.

Once you learn to make it properly, you will be hooked for life! Since this is a connoisseur grade of gyokuro and is not considered a beginner's green tea, make sure to read our how to brew gyokuro page as it is brewed differently than sencha.

Because this is a rather rare and expensive, we are offering it at this time in 30-gram packaging.

O-Cha.com is delighted to offer the exclusive Tsuen blend "Musashi" from Japan’s oldest teashop, now available in a generous 140-gram package. This unique proprietary blend features karigane sencha made from the Yabukita breed, enhanced with stems from gyokuro leaves, which infuse the tea with a distinctively strong astringency and a sharp, tart flavor profile.

Musashi is crafted for those who appreciate a robust green tea experience. It shares similarities with Tsuen’s Otsūsan but offers less sweetness and more astringency, catering to connoisseurs who prefer their tea with a bit more bite. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Japanese green teas or looking to expand your palate, Musashi is a remarkable choice that stands out for its intensity and depth.

Try Musashi today and consider taking advantage of our convenient automatic monthly delivery service, ensuring you never run out of your favorite robust green tea.

O-Cha.com is proud to offer the beloved Tsuen blend "Otsūsan," a karigane sencha from Japan’s oldest tea shop, Tsuen Tea, located in Uji. Esteemed as one of the most popular green teas at the Tsuen tea shop, Otsūsan is a special proprietary blend crafted from Yabukita breed karigane sencha. Enhanced with stems from gyokuro leaves, this tea boasts a unique tartness and sharpness in flavor, distinctively setting it apart.

Otsūsan is known for being a bit sweeter and greener than its counterpart, the Musashi blend, providing a delightfully vibrant tea experience. Its refined sweetness and pronounced green tea characteristics make it a favorite among both new enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs.

Invite the taste of Uji, Japan, into your home with a 100-gram package of Otsūsan. Experience the unique tart and sharp flavors of this esteemed green tea. Try it today and discover why it stands as a highlight in the Tsuen tea lineup.

This product is also available for automatic monthly delivery!

Introducing our Organic Hōjicha from Uji, Japan, a uniquely roasted green tea that transforms into a delightful red hue with an enticing flavor profile. The roasting process not only enhances its taste but also significantly reduces its caffeine content, making it a popular choice in Japan for hospital patients and children alike.

This Hōjicha is exceptionally versatile and is known for its refreshing qualities, especially when served iced—a common practice in Japanese restaurants. Its distinct flavor and aroma provide a comforting, almost nostalgic tea experience, appealing to tea lovers of all ages.

Certified organic, our Hōjicha adheres to the highest standards of quality and sustainability. Each batch is carefully packaged in nitrogen-filled bags to preserve freshness and ensure that the rich, smoky essence of the tea is maintained.

Each package contains 100 grams of this exquisite tea, inviting you to savor its refined and unique character. Whether you're a longtime tea enthusiast or new to the world of Japanese teas, our Organic Hōjicha offers a taste experience that's both invigorating and soothing.