{"product_id":"tsuji-k-ceremonial-matcha-uji-shirakawa-heritage-collection","title":"TSUJI K. MATCHA | Uji Shirakawa Heritage Collection","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 105, 254);\"\u003eUnbelievable single-cultivar and blended matcha from Japan's most decorated matcha grower — proudly shared at O5.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe pinnacle of craftsmanship and farming skills. Based in Uji (Shirakawa),  the beating heart of Japan's tea scene Tsuji San life is devoted to the question: \u003cem\u003ehow much more can a bowl of matcha become?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHis answer, fortunately, is some of the most exeptional matcha we can drink! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eWho Is Tsuji Kiyoharu?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTsuji Kiyoharu is one of Japan's most accomplished masters of \u003cstrong\u003eUji matcha\u003c\/strong\u003e, renowned for producing some of the highest-grade tea of the 21st century. A fifth-generation tencha farmer from the historic \u003cstrong\u003eShirakawa district of Uji, Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e, he blends time-honoured cultivation methods with meticulous scientific precision — earning him repeated recognition at Japan's national tea competitions, including multiple editions of the prestigious \u003cstrong\u003ePrime Minister's Award\u003c\/strong\u003eand honours from the \u003cstrong\u003eMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_2914_480x480.jpg?v=1776283738\" alt=\"Tsuji Kiyoharu, Tamura Kei, Villalon Pedro. Uji Matcha\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTsuji San (right)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHis pursuit of extraordinary umami began at just 20 years old. When he sought guidance from Japan's leading tea experts, the counsel was always the same: \u003cem\u003e\"Start by learning in the fields.\"\u003c\/em\u003e He took this to heart. Tea fields, as Tsuji came to understand them, are a universe of constantly shifting variables. Soil chemistry, canopy density, rainfall, the precise timing of harvest — each season is its own conversation, and he has spent decades learning to listen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe results of that listening are measurable. Tsuji's fields are shaded up to \u003cstrong\u003e95%\u003c\/strong\u003e — far beyond conventional practice — and his organic fertilisation programme delivers roughly \u003cstrong\u003edouble the nutrients\u003c\/strong\u003e of standard farms, deliberately saturating the leaves with the amino acids that define umami, sweetness, and depth. His tencha leaves are \u003cstrong\u003ehand-picked just once per year\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving a single, fleeting moment of optimal composition. Bushes are replanted once they pass their peak amino acid years, prioritising flavour over agricultural efficiency. And in an era where blending across farms and harvests is standard — even celebrated — Tsuji rejects it entirely. His matcha is \u003cstrong\u003esingle-origin in the most literal sense\u003c\/strong\u003e: one producer, one field, one harvest, one season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/IMG_0077_480x480.jpg?v=1765324253\" alt=\"Tsuji San's tea field - Uji Shirakawa\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTsuji San's tea field - Uji Shirakawa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eThe Tsuji K. Uji Shirakawa Heritage Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWe are proud to offer four single-cultivar and blended matchas from Tsuji-san, each grown in a \u003cstrong\u003eShizen-Shitate (自然仕立て)\u003c\/strong\u003e field — meaning the tea trees are allowed to grow freely, then strictly pruned and harvested entirely by hand. All four are freshly stone-milled and packed by Tsuji-san at origin, and offered in \u003cstrong\u003e20g refill packs\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003eAsahi Shirakawa — The Crown Jewel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monster umami. Natural sweetness. Almost no bitterness. A creamy, velvety mouthfeel with a long, lingering finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe cultivar \u003cstrong\u003eAsahi (朝日)\u003c\/strong\u003e — meaning \"morning sun\" — is arguably the most coveted in Japan for competition-grade matcha. It is notoriously difficult to work with and yields relatively little, but the intensity and complexity it produces are unrivalled. This is not a tea that eases you in — it overwhelms, in the best possible way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTsuji-san's mastery of organic fertilisation and traditional hay-canopy shading elevates the Asahi's already formidable character into something that feels almost sculptural: layered, architectural, and dense with amino acid richness. An umami bomb of the first order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended preparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Koicha (thick tea) to fully experience its depth, or an extra-loaded usucha. If you have ever wanted to understand what competition-grade matcha tastes like, start here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(9, 104, 246); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSamidori Shirakawa — The Gateway\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth and buttery. Effortless on the palate. Gentle umami warmth, with a distinctive chlorophyll finish that lingers pleasantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe cultivar \u003cstrong\u003eSamidori (さみどり)\u003c\/strong\u003e — meaning \"early green\" — is a cornerstone of top-quality Uji matcha, and for good reason. Where some cultivars demand patience and familiarity, Samidori welcomes you with open arms. If Asahi is the crown jewel for the devoted connoisseur, Samidori is the open door — an invitation into the world of single-cultivar matcha at its most accessible and joyful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThink of it as matcha in dessert form: the kind of cup that makes you stop mid-sip and simply appreciate it. Buttery texture, warmth without weight, and that clean green finish that is the hallmark of Uji's best shade-grown teas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended preparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loaded usucha or koicha. An ideal entry point for those new to single-cultivar matcha — and endlessly satisfying for those who already know the path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(6, 105, 254); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eUji Hikari Shirakawa — Clarity in a Bowl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright, grassy freshness. A clean vegetal clarity. Just enough umami warmth to keep you coming back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe cultivar \u003cstrong\u003eUji Hikari (宇治光)\u003c\/strong\u003e — meaning \"Uji light\" — is something of a quiet specialist. Largely unregistered and little-known outside the Kansai region, it has long earned its place as a trusted component in some of Japan's finest shade-grown teas: kabuse, gyokuro, and matcha alike. Blenders reach for Uji Hikari when they want a crisp, luminous green edge to lift and sharpen a cup — and as a single cultivar, that character takes full centre stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhere Asahi overwhelms with depth and Samidori seduces with softness, Uji Hikari distinguishes itself with \u003cstrong\u003eprecision\u003c\/strong\u003e. Vivid, almost radiant greenness. A focused clarity of flavour. A brightness that feels genuinely alive. This is a cup for those who love the green in green tea — the clean, uncluttered expression of what a perfectly shaded tencha leaf can become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended preparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loaded usucha or koicha. Particularly rewarding for those who appreciate gyokuro or kabusecha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(4, 101, 246); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eS29 Shirakawa | Samidori + Yabukita — The Daily Treat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e A walk in the forest. Notes of pine leaves, pine nuts, and steamed fiddleheads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eS29\u003c\/strong\u003e is Tsuji-san's artful blend of two cultivars: \u003cstrong\u003eSamidori (さみどり)\u003c\/strong\u003e, which provides the core structure, body, and richness, and \u003cstrong\u003eYabukita (やぶきた)\u003c\/strong\u003e — Japan's most popular and versatile cultivar — which contributes bright aromatic accents and a refined clarity that lifts the overall flavour. Together, they form a balanced and deeply expressive matcha that showcases Tsuji-san's precision and his intimate understanding of Uji's traditional tea-crafting heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf the single cultivars are each a solo performance, the S29 is the ensemble — where Tsuji-san's judgment as a blender comes to the fore, and the result is a tea that is both grounded and lively. The forest floor notes make it distinctive and memorable, while the balance keeps it eminently drinkable, every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended preparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Koicha (at least once — you'll be glad you did), or a generously loaded usucha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eA Note on Freshness \u0026amp; Packaging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAll four matchas are offered in \u003cstrong\u003e20g refill packs\u003c\/strong\u003e, freshly stone-milled and packed by Tsuji-san at origin in Japan. For those who want the full experience, we recommend pairing with our \u003cstrong\u003erefillable Japanese airtight matcha tin\u003c\/strong\u003e — both collectible and practical, designed to preserve freshness between sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg height=\"228\" width=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/Matcha_Tin_-_Refillable_1_480x480.jpg?v=1615937997\" alt=\"\"\u003e      \u003cimg height=\"228\" width=\"228\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/Matcha_Tin_-_Top_480x480.jpg?v=1615938014\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O-FIVE RARE TEA BAR","offers":[{"title":"Asahi | 20g * 1 refill pack","offer_id":19570107777112,"sku":"O5-215","price":101.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Samidori | 20g * 1 refill pack","offer_id":51945623814455,"sku":null,"price":93.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Uji Hikari | 20g * 1 refill pack","offer_id":51960784126263,"sku":null,"price":96.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"S29 | 20g * 1 refill pack","offer_id":51448015618359,"sku":"O5-215","price":46.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2059\/0699\/files\/tsuji-k-matcha-uji-shirakawa-heritage-collection-1495266.jpg?v=1776347948","url":"https:\/\/www.o5tea.com\/products\/tsuji-k-ceremonial-matcha-uji-shirakawa-heritage-collection","provider":"O5 RARE TEA BAR","version":"1.0","type":"link"}