Two white and green Nakamura Tokichi Matcha Starter pouches
Two white and green Nakamura Tokichi Matcha Starter pouches
Green matcha poured from a black pitcher into a double-walled glass, forming a fine foam
Bowl of whisked matcha beside a bamboo whisk and Matcha Starter pouch
Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Kyoto Ichibancha

Matcha Starter Kyoto First Flush

Matcha Starter is a Kyoto-grown first-flush matcha with smooth umami, gentle sweetness and clean bitterness for lattes, sweets or drinking straight.
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Who is Nakamura Tokichi Honten?

Nakamura Tokichi Honten is a matcha house from Uji, Kyoto, founded in 1854, known for Kyoto-grown first-flush leaves with smooth umami, gentle sweetness, minimal bitterness, and vibrant color. Its ceremonial collection includes Uji-no-Mukashi, Fuji no Shiro, and Seikan no Shiro, while other grades suit daily drinking, lattes, baking, and culinary use.

Matcha production uses kabusecha shade cultivation, with covers held for weeks before later harvesting of tencha at peak flavor. Tender buds are hand-picked, and nearby grasslands follow chagusaba tradition to support soil health.

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Kyoto first-flush matcha for lattes sweets or drinking straight

Matcha Starter 100g Bag 2-Bag Set is made exclusively from first-flush tea leaves grown in Kyoto. It combines smooth umami and gentle sweetness with a clean, refreshing bitterness that lingers softly. The matcha is suited to lattes, sweets, and drinking on its own, with two 100g bags in the set.

How does Matcha Starter taste?

The flavor balances smooth umami with gentle sweetness and a clean bitterness. That bitterness is refreshing rather than heavy and leaves a soft finish on the palate. Its grade sits between Sen’un no Shiro and Sho no Mukashi, placing it between those two matcha products within the same range.

This balance gives Matcha Starter several supported uses without tying it to one preparation style. It can be prepared as a standalone matcha or combined with other ingredients for drinks and sweets.

Where are the tea leaves grown, and how is the matcha milled?

Only Kyoto-grown first-flush tea leaves are used for this matcha. First flush refers to tea leaves gathered during the first harvest period.

The leaves are machine-ground rather than stone-milled. The difference between the two methods is confined to the milling process, not the flavor. This makes the production method clear without changing the stated taste profile of the finished matcha.

What can you make with this matcha?

Matcha Starter can be whisked, mixed, shaken, or sprinkled, giving buyers several source-backed ways to use the powder. Its stated applications include:

  • Whisking and enjoying it on its own
  • Mixing it into matcha lattes
  • Using it in sweets
  • Shaking or sprinkling it as preferred

No water temperature, matcha-to-water ratio, or other fixed preparation formula is specified, so buyers can select among the listed methods without being tied to a single recipe.

What is included in the 2-bag set?

The package contains two 100g bags of Matcha Starter. The 2-bag format is currently available under SKU AS400.

  • Contents: 100g × 2 bags
  • Expiration date: 3 months
  • Allergens: none
  • Variant ID: 49131381489916

The larger two-bag format supports the product’s stated role as matcha for everyday preparation across drinks, sweets, and standalone servings.

Season

Harvested during Ichibancha

Ichibancha is the late-April-to-May first harvest, producing vibrant green matcha with sweet, delicate flavor and characteristic umami.

Origin

Matcha from Kyoto

This matcha comes from Kyoto.

Kyoto is Japan's matcha heartland, where 800 years of Uji tea craftsmanship and shade-grown cultivation produce rich umami and sweet notes.

Frequently asked questions

Kyoto first-flush matcha for lattes sweets or drinking straight Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

Where are the tea leaves for Matcha Starter grown?

Matcha Starter is made exclusively from first-flush tea leaves grown in Kyoto.

What does Matcha Starter taste like?

It has smooth umami and gentle sweetness balanced by clean, refreshing bitterness. The bitterness leaves a soft, lingering finish on the palate.

Can Matcha Starter be used for lattes and sweets?

Yes. Matcha Starter is intended for lattes, sweets, and drinking on its own.

How can Matcha Starter be prepared?

It can be whisked, mixed, shaken, or sprinkled. No specific water temperature or matcha-to-water ratio is provided.

Is Matcha Starter stone-milled?

No. Matcha Starter is machine-ground, with the difference from stone milling applying to the process rather than the flavor.

How is Matcha Starter graded?

Its grade sits between Sen’un no Shiro and Sho no Mukashi.

How much matcha is included, and is it available?

The set contains two 100 g bags, for 200 g in total. The Matcha Starter 100g Bag 2-bag set is currently available.

What is the expiration period, and does it contain allergens?

The expiration period is three months, and the product lists no allergens.