River & Stone Tea
River & Stone Tea presentation
River & Stone Tea operates one of the few authentic matcha mills in the United States, grinding fresh ceremonial matcha daily using traditional methods that honor centuries of Japanese tea culture. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company sources premium tencha from Uji, Japan—the historic heartland of matcha production—and mills it to order on imported, hand-carved granite stones.
The Art of Daily Milling
Unlike commercially pre-ground matcha that sits on shelves for months, River & Stone Tea mills each tin only after you order. This approach maximizes aromatic complexity and preserves the health-promoting compounds that degrade rapidly after grinding. Their authentic stone-ground process produces just 40 grams per hour, ensuring the finest powder and creamiest texture possible.
The difference is immediately noticeable. Their matcha delivers the smooth, umami-rich character of true ceremonial grade tea without the bitterness or astringency common in lower-quality products.
Commitment to Natural Quality
River & Stone Tea specializes in matcha grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers—even fewer inputs than standard organic certification requires. This dedication to natural cultivation methods produces cleaner, more vibrant tea that reflects the authentic terroir of each harvest.
The company offers an exceptional range of single-cultivar matchas, including rare varieties like Asahi, Okumidori, Samidori, and Old Bush Zairai. Single-cultivar teas remain uncommon in the ceremonial matcha market, where blends typically dominate. These distinctive offerings allow tea enthusiasts to explore subtle differences in flavor profiles shaped by cultivar genetics and seasonal variations.
From Tea House to Your Cup
River & Stone Tea emerged as a sister company to Northeast Tea House, a Minneapolis retail location that opened in 2020. The original matcha mill still operates daily at the tea house, while additional mills run nearby in a dedicated space for milling and packaging.
Their product line spans from approachable daily-drinking options like Mill City Blend and Kagoshima Blend to premium selections suitable for traditional koicha preparation. Every offering—from entry-level to rare single estates—meets the same rigorous standards: shade-grown for optimal amino acid development, spring-harvested for peak flavor, and traditionally stone-milled for authentic texture.
For matcha drinkers seeking unparalleled freshness and genuine Japanese quality without traveling to Japan, River & Stone Tea delivers an experience that respects both tradition and the discerning modern palate.
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Matcha produced by River & Stone Tea
House-Milled Ceremonial Matcha Collection
River & Stone Tea offers an exceptional range of ceremonial-grade matcha products, all milled fresh to order using traditional Japanese granite mills in Minneapolis. The company specializes in single-cultivar matcha varieties, providing tea enthusiasts with the rare opportunity to experience the distinct characteristics of individual tea cultivars.
Featured Single-Cultivar Matcha Products
- Asahi of Kokyo, Wazuka – A naturally grown ceremonial matcha from the renowned Wazuka region, celebrated for its harmonious blend of sweetness and umami (savory taste). Available in 20g tins for $50.00.
- Samidori – Esteemed for its vibrant emerald hue and velvety texture, this single-cultivar matcha showcases the distinctive qualities of the Samidori cultivar. Priced at $45.00 for 20g tins.
- Okumidori – The Somada Okumidori offers a refreshing, subtly grassy flavor profile characteristic of this cultivar, available for $45.00 per 20g tin.
- Gokou Matcha Powder – A premium single-cultivar option priced at $45.00 for 20g, known for its complex flavor development.
- Old Bush Zairai – A rare zairai (seed-grown) matcha from old tea bushes, offering unique terroir characteristics for $60.00 per 20g tin.
Signature Blends
- Mill City Blend – River & Stone’s signature ceremonial blend, crafted specifically for their Minneapolis location, available for $40.00 per 20g tin.
- Kagoshima Blend – A natural ceremonial-grade blend from the Kagoshima region, offered at $35.00 per 20g tin.
- Wild Yabukita – A distinctive wild-grown version of the classic Yabukita cultivar, priced at $50.00 per 20g tin.
Specialty Products
The Matcha Tin Sampler provides an excellent introduction to River & Stone’s range, featuring multiple varieties in a convenient sampling format for $105.00 (regularly $125.00). The company also offers a Ceremonial Matcha Sampler Set for $35.00, perfect for those beginning their matcha journey.
All matcha is milled from the highest quality tencha (shade-grown tea leaves) sourced from Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture, specifically from the Uji region. The tencha is grown without pesticides and artificial fertilizers, using natural farming methods that exceed organic standards. Each product is milled to order in small batches, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor complexity. Learn more about their products at River & Stone Tea’s ceremonial matcha collection.
History of River & Stone Tea
River & Stone Tea began as a pursuit of genuine ceremonial matcha in Minneapolis. Rooted in the founders’ experiences operating Northeast Tea House since August 2020, the new brand was created to bridge the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship and the modern American palette. Determined to provide unparalleled freshness, flavor complexity, and sustainability, the founders overcame logistical challenges to import tencha from Uji, Japan, and acquire authentic Japanese granite mills. Through rigorous quality assurance and mastery of the delicate stone-grinding process, they established a dedicated milling facility that upholds the time-honored oishita saibai shading ritual, elevating each batch with vibrant color and umami-rich taste. By partnering with small, family-run farms in Wazuka, adhering to natural farming methods, and milling every batch on-site, River & Stone Tea ensures traceability, ecological harmony, and an exceptional matcha experience delivered fresh to enthusiasts nationwide.
4 events from River & Stone Tea's history
August 2020
Northeast Tea House Opens
The parent company Northeast Tea House opened in Minneapolis in August 2020, establishing the foundation for River & Stone Tea. The first imported Japanese granite matcha mill was installed and began daily operation, serving as the testing ground for their fresh-milling concept and validating their vision for authentic matcha production in the United States.
January 2021
River & Stone Tea Launch
River & Stone Tea was founded as a sister company to Northeast Tea House in January 2021, focusing exclusively on small-batch, house-milled ceremonial matcha. This strategic launch allowed the brand to prioritize freshness, quality, and sustainability while leveraging the operational success of the original tea house.
January 2022
Dedicated Milling Facility Established
In 2022, River & Stone Tea opened a dedicated milling and packaging facility adjacent to Northeast Tea House. This expansion enabled simultaneous operation of multiple authentic Japanese granite mills, significantly boosting production capacity without compromising the fresh, made-to-order milling process.
January 2023
Partnership with Wazuka Farmers
River & Stone Tea formalized partnerships with small, family-run farms in Wazuka, Japan, renowned for premium tencha cultivation. These collaborations emphasize natural farming practices, ecological harmony, and traceability, ensuring matcha leaves are grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.
Gallery and medias
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Frequent questions
Find below some answers to the most common questions about River & Stone Tea.
What makes River & Stone Tea's Minneapolis milling process different from other matcha brands?
River & Stone Tea mills ceremonial-grade matcha fresh to order in Minneapolis using authentic Japanese granite mills imported directly from Japan. Unlike mass-produced matcha that sits on shelves for months, their stone mills produce only 30-40 grams of matcha per hour, ensuring each batch maintains optimal freshness and flavor. This slow, deliberate milling process prevents heat buildup that can compromise the delicate tencha leaves, resulting in exceptionally smooth and creamy matcha powder.
How does River & Stone Tea's connection to Northeast Tea House benefit their matcha quality?
River & Stone Tea operates as a sister company to Northeast Tea House, which opened in Minneapolis in August 2020. Their first matcha mill is still operated daily out of the Tea House, serving as a testing ground for their milling techniques. This retail connection allows them to receive immediate customer feedback and continuously refine their milling process. Additional mills now operate from a dedicated facility nearby that focuses entirely on matcha milling and packaging, combining retail experience with specialized production.
Which River & Stone Tea matcha should I choose: Gokou, Komakage, or Old Bush Zarai?
River & Stone Tea offers three distinct single-cultivar options:
- Gokou Matcha Powder – Known for its balanced sweetness and umami characteristics
- Komakage Matcha Powder – Features vibrant emerald color and velvety texture
- Old Bush Zarai Matcha Powder – Offers a unique flavor profile from older tea bushes with deeper complexity
Each represents a different tencha cultivar from their Wazuka farms, allowing you to experience the subtle nuances that single-cultivar matcha provides compared to blended varieties.
Why does River & Stone Tea specifically source from Wazuka rather than other Uji regions?
Wazuka is revered as the cradle of modern tencha cultivation within the broader Uji region of Japan. River & Stone Tea partners with small, family-run farms in Wazuka that practice natural farming methods, rejecting artificial fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. These farms use traditional oishita saibai (shading techniques) for 3-4 weeks before harvest, elevating L-Theanine and chlorophyll production. The region’s legacy of tea cultivation combined with sustainable practices ensures the exceptional quality that River & Stone Tea demands for their fresh-milled matcha.
Is River & Stone Tea's granite milling really superior to modern electric grinders?
Yes, River & Stone Tea’s authentic Japanese granite mills provide significant advantages over modern electric grinders. Stone mills grind the tencha leaves gently without generating heat that can damage delicate flavors and aromas. The granite material and slow milling speed create the optimal particle size for maximum smoothness and creaminess when whisked. While electric grinders work faster, they often produce inconsistent particle sizes and heat that compromises the matcha’s ceremonial-grade quality. River & Stone Tea’s commitment to traditional stone milling reflects their dedication to authentic Japanese methods over mass production efficiency.
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