Producer: Minato Tea Farm
Region: Wazuka, Kyoto, Japan
Cultivar: Saemidori
About the Region
Our relationship with Minato began in 2023, when we travelled to the rolling hills of Wazuka, Kyoto to spend time in a region blessed with hilly terrain and misty valleys. These growing conditions help produce some of the highest quality teas in Japan.
While Wazuka is known as the heartland of Uji tea, one of Japan’s most famous tea-growing regions, it still accounts for only around 2% of Japan’s total tea production. That small share makes each harvest feel even more precious.
About our Partner Farm
It’s rare to find this mix of high-level skill and genuine heart. The Minato family has been growing tea for generations, and that legacy is very much alive.
When we visited during harvest, we saw it firsthand: multiple generations out in the fields, working side by side to draw the most vibrant flavor out of each crop. They are literal champions of the craft, winning national and regional awards since the 1850s, but they don’t rest on their history.
They are active, curious, and incredibly generous. They welcomed us into their process with total openness, from how they raise seedlings to how they shade and process each batch.
About the Cultivar
Saemidori is already known for being vivid and creamy, but Minato’s expression hits differently. They raise their own seedlings in Wazuka and use sheltered racks instead of laying shading material directly on the crop.
This method gives the plants room to breathe and grow without overheating, which translates into a smoother, more aromatic finish. Minato doesn’t chase volume; they harvest early, while the buds are still soft and tender.
You can taste these decisions in the cup: a bright, low-astringency matcha with dense umami and a long, gentle finish.
