{"product_id":"nakamura-tokichi-bessei-hatsumukashi-no-1-matcha-20g","title":"Nakamura Tokichi Bessei Hatsumukashi No. 1 Matcha 20g（別製初昔 壱號）","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn springtime Shirakawa, Uji, only the year’s first and second leaves are selected and carefully hand-picked for this rare tencha. After unhurried maturation, it is slowly stone-milled into an exceptional matcha for koicha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cultivar is Asahi, considered especially suited to tencha. Highly regarded at Japan’s National Tea Competition, it brings sweetness, umami, aroma, and color into beautiful harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaturation softens the flavor’s edges: pure sweetness opens on the palate, followed gradually by deep, quiet umami. Bitterness and astringency are exceptionally low, while the finish lasts remarkably long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts aroma unfolds in layers—floral brightness, nori-like depth, and the gentle toasted fragrance known as \u003cem\u003eroka\u003c\/em\u003e—creating a multidimensional bouquet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts beautiful green is another defining appeal. Rich and vivid yet transparent and deep, this “natural green” lets you appreciate matcha’s beauty with the eyes as well as the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eContents\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20g tin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest before\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 months unopened\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIngredients\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen tea (Japan)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eNutrition facts\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer 20g: Energy 47.4kcal; Protein 5.9g; Fat 1.1g; Carbohydrate 7.9g; Salt equivalent 0g.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTin: 5.9 × 5.9 × 6.8 cm; box: 7.2 × 7.2 × 7.6 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStorage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStore in a cool, dry place away from heat, humidity, and strong odors.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShirakawa, Uji, Kyoto, Japan. Cultivar: Asahi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended preparation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest enjoyed as koicha (thick matcha).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to prepare koicha\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace 4 chashaku scoops (4 g) of matcha in a tea bowl.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 40 ml of water at 80°C (176°F), a little at a time in several additions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing a chasen (bamboo whisk), knead until smooth. If it is too thick, add a small amount of hot water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePreparation notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd the matcha and hot water, then whisk (or knead) thoroughly with a chasen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatcha can form clumps. Before adding hot water, sift the powder or gently loosen any clumps with a dry chasen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finest tencha is never shipped immediately after harvest. It is slowly matured at low temperature in dedicated storage for more than a year—sometimes as long as two. This patient process brings deep harmony to both aroma and flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBessei Hatsumukashi No. 1 is an exceptionally accomplished matcha whose appeal has been fully drawn out through time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor — Koicha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen prepared as koicha, it opens with a clear, pure sweetness without heaviness or stickiness. Bitterness and astringency are almost absent, followed by a deep, long-lasting umami finish that unfolds quietly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsahi’s floral brightness is layered with the nori-like depth created by shaded cultivation, then finished with the fragrant toasted note known as \u003cem\u003eroka\u003c\/em\u003e, developed during drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extraordinarily vivid green with both absorbing clarity and profound depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlavor profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/7242\/8801\/files\/nakamura-tokichi-bessei-hatsumukashi-no-1-flavor-profile-final.png?v=1789621602\" alt=\"Nakamura Tokichi Bessei Hatsumukashi No. 1 Matcha 20g（別製初昔 壱號） flavor profile\" style=\"display:block;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0 auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nakamura Tokichi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50336878592257,"sku":"NAKAMURA-TOKICHI-mc17","price":961.54,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/7242\/8801\/files\/nakamura-tokichi-mc17-1.jpg?v=1789614747","url":"https:\/\/japaneseselect.com\/products\/nakamura-tokichi-bessei-hatsumukashi-no-1-matcha-20g","provider":"Japanese Select","version":"1.0","type":"link"}