Tasting 100 Matchas: My First Step into Tea Study
In 2024, something shifted inside me. Pieces of a puzzle I had been quietly carrying for years suddenly began to connect.
I realized how deeply matcha had taken root in my life—how curious, inspired, and emotionally connected I felt to it
This realization pushed me toward a decision:I would study matcha seriously
I began by tasting nearly one hundred different matcha available in Japan and France—comparing textures, sweetness, aromas, terroirs, and milling styles.
At the same time, I enrolled in the program to become a Certified Japanese Tea Advisor (日本茶アドバイザー).
From April 2024 onward, my days became a cycle of:
- learning
- tasting
- researching
- visiting tea regions
- searching for producers whose values aligned with mine
Two Non-Negotiables: Organic and Truly Premium
From the beginning, I knew my future brand required two things:
- It had to be organic.
- It had to be truly premium ceremonial matcha.
Organic living became essential for me after moving to France—but with matcha, the stakes are even higher.
Matcha is the only tea where you consume the entire leaf. I could never offer something unless I believed in it 100%, ethically and personally.
As a Japanese woman, I felt responsible for sharing matcha in its truest form—authentic ceremonial-grade tea that honors centuries of craftsmanship.
The Reality of Organic Matcha in Japan
Organic matcha producers are extremely rare in Japan—especially in Kyoto, the birthplace of matcha.
Organic conversion requires:
- extraordinary labor
- expertise
- years without income
- deep commitment
Many farmers simply cannot take on that sacrifice. But a few do. And those few carry stories worth protecting.
Meeting a 350-Year Tea Family in Wazuka
They converted all their tea fields to organic cultivation. This meant many years without income—matcha fields take nearly five years before the first harvest.
Yet they chose health, integrity, and future generations over convenience.
Standing in their fields, hearing their story, watching their process, I felt their passion in every detail.
Then I tasted their highest-grade matcha. I knew instantly: this was the matcha I had been searching for.
The organic matcha I first discovered came from Wazuka, a region with 800 years of tea history. You can learn more about its heritage and aging traditions here:
Wazuka – The Heart of Uji Matcha → Read the article
The Birth of MUSUBI MATCHA
From that moment, everything accelerated. I designed the brand, shaped the concept, built the identity, and prepared for launch.
We opened pre-orders in April. And in May 2024, MUSUBI MATCHA was officially born— a brand rooted in authenticity, organic craftsmanship, and profound gratitude for the farmers who make true matcha possible.
A dream that began quietly in 2019 had finally found its form.
If you wish to experience the matcha that inspired this journey, you can explore our Premium Organic Uji Matcha here.
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