The harvest
From Leaf to Cup
At Kyoto Ritual, every step is performed entirely by hand in Uji, Kyoto. From shading the tea plants to packaging, here is our expertise.
Shading
Four weeks before harvest, our tea plants are covered with dark canvases. Deprived of light, the leaves produce more chlorophyll and L-Theanine. This ancestral technique gives our matcha its intense jade green color, natural sweetness, and reduces any bitterness.
4 weeks of shading, zero bitternessHand-picking
Our matchas come exclusively from the first spring harvest, at the end of May. Only the youngest, tenderest, and most nutrient-rich leaves from the top are picked one by one. This meticulous work can only take place once a year.
1 harvest per year, maximum qualitySelective Sorting
The harvested leaves are carefully sorted to retain only the most perfect ones. Stems, veins, and impurities are removed. This rigorous selection guarantees exceptionally fine powder, regardless of the chosen grade.
Steaming
The leaves are briefly steamed for only a few seconds. This step stops oxidation and preserves the intense green color, nutrients, and all the freshness of the tea.
Drying
After steaming, the leaves are hot-air dried in large nets. It is said that the leaves dance during this stage. This results in tencha, the base of matcha, which can be stored for several months without losing its properties.
Stone Grinding
The tencha is slowly ground between two heavy granite millstones, handmade in Japan. This delicate process preserves all the nutrients and reveals the aromatic finesse specific to each grade. To obtain 30g of powder, it takes approximately 1 hour of grinding.
1h of grinding for 30g of matchaArtisanal Roasting
Our matcha benefits from a light artisanal roasting process, a rare step in the world of high-end matcha. This expertise reveals the full aromatic complexity of each grade: deep umami notes, refined vegetal aromas.
Packaging
Each bag is weighed, sealed, and carefully packaged. Our matcha is ground only a few weeks before shipment to guarantee maximum freshness. From the tea plant to your cup, there is no intermediary between our producer in Uji and you.
Direct from producer, freshness guaranteed
8 steps, 0 compromises
This expertise is what you'll find in each of our matchas. Find the one that matches your ritual.
Hikari
Smooth, vegetal, without bitterness. The ideal introduction to true matcha.
Discover HikariSaku
Perfect for lattes, pastries, and recipes. Intense and versatile.
Discover Saku