It is almost 10 years since I placed my first order with MaikoTea JAPAN, but I remember as if it were yesterday. I was excited and little bit worried because I haven't bought from an overseas website before.

Although I wasn't very impressed by the Matcha I bought at that time, I very much appreciated to have an japanese tea source, where I could purchase high quality Japanese goods that I could not get in my country.

I sometimes like to browse through the japanese Website of MaikoTea JAPAN. Last December I discovered that they were selling a New year's Matcha, which was limited to 100 pieces.
I couldn't resist and bought one - and what should I say? I just loved the complex and multi-layered taste of this high quality Matcha.
It is only a pity, that this Matcha is only available on the japanese website of MaikoTea JAPAN.

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by Maiko Tea prepared as Usucha

MaikoTea JAPAN writes about Matcha:

• [New Year's Matcha]
• [limited to 100 pieces]
Source: Shoufuku no Haru. MaikoTea JAPAN. http://www.maiko.ne.jp/shopping/kansha2017.htm#spring (Retrieved 28.12.2017)(link no longer available)

Matcha Tin of Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru

Packaging:

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN was shipped in a gift box.

Inside of the gift box was a hermetically and doubly sealed washi paper covered tin, that is designed with traditional Japanese patterns.

The Matcha tin has an inner lid to ensure airtight storage. Inside the metallic tin, the Matcha powder was stored in a plastic bag that was easy to open and allowed an effortless transfer into a Natsume.

non-sifted vs sifted Matcha powder

Appearance of the Matcha:

When I opened the plastic bag my eyes were delighted by the gorgeous, vibrant green color.

The Matcha powder was bit clumpy. So sifting the Matcha powder was necessary to whisk or knead it into into a deliciously smooth green tea.

The smell, so fresh and bright, was a little more on the savory side than sweet.

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN prepared as thin tea

Prepared as Usucha

Dry Powder Amount: ca. 2g
Water Amount: ca. 70ml
Water Temperature: 85-90°C
Type of Whisk: thin pronged
Preparation Method: traditional
Whisking Action: rapid "w"-action
Consistency: thin with froth

Once I added the hot water, I vigorously whisked for about 5 seconds to produce a semi-fine froth, because too much whisking can make it taste bitter.

Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN frothed up nicely with a light green, velvetine head of foam.

The first sip is always the best.
The mouthfeel was really smooth and creamy with a wonderfully fragrant blend of sweetness and umami.

The finish lasted for several minutes, which was utterly delightful and delicious.

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN prepared as Koicha

Prepared as Koicha

Dry Powder Amount: 3,7g
Water Amount: 35ml
Water Temperature: 90°C
Type of Whisk: Chuaraho
Preparation Method: traditional
Kneading Action: circular kneading motion
Consistency: thick with no froth

As koicha, the taste was bold and complex, but slightly one-dimensional toward the sweetness. I detected no bitterness and the texture was unbelievably smooth.

Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN prepared as Usucha

Summary of the most important points:

• no bitterness, especially with the koicha
• smooth texture
• good foam
• umami at its finest

There is nothing much I can add to that, other than to say that Uji Matcha Shoufuku no Haru by MaikoTea JAPAN is all-around an excellent Matcha.

How often do you drink Matcha?