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AKI Matcha: Organic Producer in Shizuoka Since 1935

AKI Matcha produces certified organic, stone-ground matcha in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, with ceremonial grades made from shade-grown tea leaves.
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Who is AKI Matcha?

AKI Matcha is a Japanese matcha producer based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, sourcing notable tea from Tenryu Mountains. Its organic matcha spans ceremonial, premium, and culinary grades, with shade-grown leaves stone-ground for color, aroma, and texture.

Company traces roots to 1935 and holds JAS, USDA, EU, and Canada organic certifications. Ceremonial range includes Okumidori and Saemidori; Imperial AKI88 uses hand-picked leaves bamboo-shaded 30–35 days, while first-flush tencha is steamed, dried, sorted, then granite-milled.

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AKI Matcha in details

AKI Matcha brings the authentic taste of Shizuoka Prefecture to your cup through traditional stone-grinding methods perfected over generations. Sourced from shade-grown tea leaves in Hamamatsu, this certified organic matcha honors Japanese tea culture while meeting the exacting standards of ceremonial grade quality. Every batch reflects a commitment to purity, process, and the distinct terroir of one of Japan’s most respected tea-growing regions.

Rooted in Shizuoka’s Tea Heritage

Hamamatsu sits in the heart of Shizuoka, a region responsible for nearly 40% of Japan’s tea production. AKI Matcha sources exclusively from shade-grown tea plants, a cultivation method that increases chlorophyll content and produces the vibrant green color and umami-rich flavor that defines premium matcha. The shading process, typically lasting three to four weeks before harvest, also boosts L-theanine levels, creating the calm alertness matcha drinkers seek.

Stone-Ground the Traditional Way

While many producers have moved to mechanical grinding for efficiency, AKI Matcha maintains the artisanal approach of granite stone mills. This slow process—yielding just 30-40 grams per hour—prevents heat buildup that can compromise flavor and nutritional integrity. The result is a silky-smooth powder with no bitterness, preserving the delicate balance of sweet and savory notes that ceremonial grade matcha demands.

Certified Organic From Leaf to Package

AKI Matcha carries organic certification, ensuring tea plants grow without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This commitment extends beyond health benefits to environmental stewardship. The certification process verifies every step from cultivation through processing, giving you confidence in what you’re consuming.

What Sets AKI Matcha Apart

Three factors distinguish this brand in a crowded marketplace:

  • Single-origin transparency – Every package traces back to Hamamatsu tea gardens, not blended from multiple sources
  • Ceremonial grade consistency – The finest first-harvest leaves only, suitable for traditional whisking or modern lattes
  • Artisanal production scale – Small-batch grinding maintains quality control impossible in mass production

For matcha enthusiasts who value authenticity and traditional methods, AKI Matcha offers a direct connection to Japanese tea culture. The vibrant color, smooth texture, and balanced flavor profile make it equally suited for meditative morning rituals or creative culinary applications.

About the AKI Matcha Matcha

AKI Matcha produces organic Japanese matcha spanning ceremonial, premium and culinary grades, each tied to a specific cultivar and use.

Ceremonial grades

  • Superior Ceremonial (AKI01) — the Okumidori cultivar, delivering rich umami and a smooth, complex profile.
  • Imperial (AKI88) — the most exclusive grade, hand-picked and bamboo-shaded 30-35 days to maximise chlorophyll and amino acids.
  • Ceremonial — the Saemidori cultivar from the youngest leaves, vibrant green with a naturally sweet flavour, smooth texture and rich umami for koicha and usucha.

Premium and culinary

Premium grade may feature the balanced, adaptable Yabukita cultivar, suiting smoothies, lattes and daily use. Culinary grade is the most economical, less vibrant and slightly more bitter yet antioxidant-rich for cooking and baking.

Harvest location

AKI Matcha sources from the renowned tea-growing region of Shizuoka, Japan, with a notable portion from the pristine Tenryu Mountain area. This elevated location offers consistent mist, pure air, high altitude and ample rainfall, well away from the air pollution of other matcha-producing areas.

Shade cultivation

Time-honored shade-growing covers plants for 20-35 days before harvest, depending on grade. The Imperial Grade (AKI88) is bamboo-shaded for 30-35 days to build chlorophyll and L-theanine for vibrant color and umami.

Harvest and stone-grinding

The finest matcha comes from the spring first flush, ichibancha, hand-picked in early May by skilled farmers who select the best leaves to preserve flavor and color. Leaves are steamed to prevent oxidation, dried, and sorted into tencha, then slowly stone-ground on granite mills to protect aroma and texture.

AKI Matcha History

AKI Matcha Co., Ltd. is based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and traces its origins to 1935, building roughly 90 years of experience in the matcha industry on the region's long-established tea-cultivation techniques.

Later milestones

  • 2020: achieved JAS, USDA (NOP), EU and Canada organic certifications and expanded its global reach.
  • 2024: launched its exclusive Imperial Grade (AKI88) matcha.
January 1, 1935

AKI Matcha Co., Ltd. began its journey in the matcha industry, establishing 90 years of experience as a matcha supplier. The company was founded during Japan's traditional tea cultivation period, building on centuries-old techniques in Shizuoka Prefecture.

January 1, 2020

AKI Matcha achieved comprehensive organic certifications including JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards), USDA (NOP), EU, and Canada certifications. The company expanded its global reach, establishing presence on major marketplaces including Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart while maintaining traditional production methods.

January 1, 2024

AKI Matcha introduced its most exclusive Imperial Grade (AKI88) matcha, representing the pinnacle of ceremonial grade quality. This limited-edition product features extended 30-35 day shade periods with bamboo covering, hand-picked leaves from Tenryu Mountain farms, and traditional stone-grinding methods.

January 1, 2025

Due to surge in global demand, AKI Matcha implemented strategic supply management for their 2025 first harvest matcha. The company extended lead times to 6-8 weeks for wholesale orders and projected inventory completion by November 2025, demonstrating the growing international recognition of their premium matcha quality.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What makes AKI Matcha's AKI88 Imperial Grade different from their AKI01 Superior Ceremonial Grade?

AKI88 Imperial Grade represents the pinnacle of AKI Matcha's collection, produced in extremely limited quantities from tea leaves grown exclusively on their Tenryu Mountain farm. The leaves undergo an extended 30-35 day shading period with bamboo covers and are hand-picked by skilled farmers.

AKI01 Superior Ceremonial Grade features the Okumidori cultivar with a 9.5/10 roast level, delivering rich umami and smooth complexity perfect for special tea ceremonies. While both are ceremonial quality, AKI88 offers the ultimate exclusivity and extended cultivation process that maximizes chlorophyll and amino acid content.

How long does AKI Matcha's stone-grinding process actually take?

AKI Matcha uses traditional granite mills in a deliberately slow process that takes up to an hour to produce just 20 grams of their superior matcha. This meticulous grinding speed prevents overheating, which could damage the delicate aroma, creamy texture, and nutritional properties that make their matcha exceptional.

Which AKI Matcha grade should I choose if I want the Saemidori cultivar?

The Saemidori cultivar is featured in AKI Matcha's Ceremonial Grade offerings. This cultivar is prized for its vibrant green hue and naturally sweet flavor profile with minimal bitterness, making it perfect for traditional tea ceremonies where you'll prepare koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea).

Why does AKI Matcha source specifically from the Tenryu Mountain region in Shizuoka?

AKI Matcha chose the Tenryu Mountain region for its pristine growing environment that includes:

  • Consistent mist coverage that naturally protects the tea plants
  • Pure air quality free from pollution found in other matcha-producing areas
  • High altitude conditions with ample rainfall
  • Fertile soil ideal for tea cultivation

This specific terroir allows them to produce matcha with exceptional quality characteristics that reflect the unique environmental conditions of this mountain region.

Can I contact AKI Matcha directly, and what certifications do they hold?

You can reach AKI Matcha Co., Ltd. at sales@akimatcha.com from their headquarters in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. They maintain rigorous organic certification standards with JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards), USDA (NOP), EU organic, and Canada organic certifications, ensuring their matcha meets international quality benchmarks for organic cultivation and processing.