Honai by Tsuchiyama Tea

Honai (本愛) comes from Tsuchiyama-cho in Shiga Prefecture — a distinctly different terroir from the Uji-grown matchas most drinkers know, and one increasingly prized by connoisseurs for its own character. Made from the first May harvest of shade-grown tencha, grown and processed entirely within Tea Tsuchiyama's own gardens, Honai delivers a velvety-smooth aroma with a hint of chocolate, rich nutty umami, and a signature thick, creamy foam that develops when whisked — the mark of real freshness and careful processing.

Why Honai?

• Rich, nutty flavor: Real umami depth with a delicate natural sweetness and no bitterness — closer to hazelnut and dark chocolate than the bright, grassy notes typical of ceremonial matcha.
• Built for koicha: Ceremonial grade suited to koicha (thick tea), where it whips into a dense, creamy foam — a clear sign of quality and freshness. Also excellent as usucha for those who prefer it thinner.
• Careful, exacting cultivation: Grown from shaded tencha leaves harvested in the first flush of May under meticulous fertilizer management — the deep green color and clarity reflect the care in every step.
• Single-estate craft: Grown, harvested, and processed entirely within Tea Tsuchiyama's own gardens in Koka City, Shiga — single-estate matcha rather than a blend.
• Best for: Matcha drinkers who want to explore beyond Uji, and anyone who appreciates a rich, nutty, chocolate-tinged cup with real body.