Our Matcha Cultivar Selection Guide

Much like wine, where different grape varieties produce distinct flavor profiles, matcha cultivars define the taste, aroma, and quality of your tea. When shopping for matcha, knowing which cultivar it’s made from helps you anticipate the flavor profile—whether it’s rich umami, mellow sweetness, or a more astringent character. 

This guide provides a general overview of what you can expect from each cultivar, but keep in mind that the flavor can also vary depending on the region, farm, and producer. Understanding cultivars ensures you're selecting matcha suited to your taste preferences and intended use, whether for everyday drinking, ceremonial enjoyment, or premium experiences.

 Below, we explore the most notable matcha cultivars, their estimated prevalence in Japan, price range, and what makes each one special.

1. Yabukita (About 70%)

• Flavor Intensity: Medium
• Tasting Notes: Fresh, slightly grassy, mild bitterness
• Best For: Everyday matcha, lattes, and baking
• Price Range: $$ (Affordable)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Typically found in blends, though it can be used as single-origin for lower to mid-grade matcha.
• Availability: Most common cultivar found across Japan, particularly in Shizuoka.
• Description: Yabukita is the most prevalent cultivar used for matcha production in Japan. It offers a balanced flavor with slight grassy notes and mild bitterness. It’s often the go-to choice for everyday matcha, as well as in lattes and baking recipes.

2. Okumidori (About 3-5%)

• Flavor Intensity: Medium
• Tasting Notes: Smooth, mellow sweetness, minimal bitterness, rich umami
• Best For: Latte, Usucha, Koicha
• Price Range: $$$ (Moderate to premium pricing)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Works well both as a standalone matcha and in blends to enhance smoothness.
• Availability: Less common than Yabukita but still widely available in high-quality matcha.
• Description: A cultivar known for its vibrant green color and rich umami flavor, Okumidori is often blended with other varieties to enhance smoothness. It produces a soft, naturally sweet matcha with very low bitterness, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a smoother taste profile.

3. Saemidori (About 2-3%)

• Flavor Intensity: Low-to-Medium
• Tasting Notes: Light fruity notes, floral, earthy
• Best For: Latte, Usucha, Koicha
• Price Range: $$$ (Moderate to premium pricing)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Often used in high-quality, single-origin matcha or as a key component in blends.
• Availability: Mainly found in Kagoshima and Shizuoka, with some production in Uji.
• Description: Saemidori, meaning "bright green," is known for its smooth and light flavor profile. It offers fruity, floral, and earthy notes with a balanced sweetness and a minimal bitter aftertaste. Saemidori is ideal for ceremonial matcha, delivering a less astringent and delicate experience.

Note: Emeri's Classic Ceremonial Matcha is made of 100% Saemidori cultivar.

4. Gokou (About 1%)

• Flavor Intensity: High
• Tasting Notes: Rich, rounded umami with creamy texture
• Best For: Latte, Usucha, Koicha
• Price Range: $$$$ (Premium pricing)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Typically used as a single-origin matcha for high-end ceremonial teas.
• Availability: Rare, cultivated mainly in Uji and certain areas of Kyoto.
• Description: Gokou is a cultivar prized for its creamy texture and rich umami flavor. It has a rounded, smooth taste that is often considered ideal for ceremonial matcha. Its delicate flavor profile is less bitter and more balanced compared to other cultivars, making it a luxurious option for discerning tea drinkers.

5. Asahi (About 1-2%)

• Flavor Intensity: Medium-to-High
• Tasting Notes: Bright, sharp umami with a smooth finish
• Best For: Usucha, Koicha
• Price Range: $$$$$ (Ultra-premium, rare)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Typically used for single-origin matcha but can also be blended.
• Availability: Rare, mainly cultivated in Uji, Kyoto.
• Description: Asahi matcha is known for its bright, sharp umami flavor with a clean finish. The cultivar offers a distinct green tea aroma and a refreshing taste, with medium bitterness that is often well-balanced. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a crisp, clean matcha experience.
• Best for: Usucha, koicha

6. Zairai (Less than 1%)

• Flavor Intensity: High
• Tasting Notes: Intense, robust flavor with pronounced astringency
• Best For: Traditional, high-grade matcha
• Price Range: $$$ (Premium pricing)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Typically used as a single-origin matcha for traditional matcha experiences.
• Availability: Rare, found mostly in small family-owned farms in Kyoto and Shizuoka.
• Description: Zairai matcha is made from ancient Japanese tea plants, known for their robust and intense flavor. It offers a strong, earthy taste with pronounced astringency. This cultivar is not for the faint-hearted, offering an authentic, full-bodied matcha experience that’s appreciated by true tea connoisseurs.

7. Uji Hikari (Less than 1%)

• Flavor Intensity: Medium-to-High
• Tasting Notes: Deep, lingering umami, exceptional smoothness, no astringency
• Best For: Usucha, Koicha
• Price Range: $$$$$ (Ultra-premium, rare)
• Blend or Single-Origin?: Typically single-origin due to its outstanding quality.
• Availability: Extremely rare, found in top-tier Uji matcha.
• Description: One of the rarest and most prestigious matcha cultivars, Uji Hikari is known for producing matcha with an unparalleled depth of umami and minimal bitterness. Its vibrant green color and creamy, full-bodied taste make it a favorite for top-tier matcha competitions and high-end ceremonial use.

Note: Emeri's Uji Hikari Reserve Matcha is made of 100% Uji Hikari cultivar.

Choosing the right matcha cultivar can elevate your tea experience, bringing out unique flavors and characteristics that align with your preferences. Whether you’re drawn to floral notes of Saemidori, smoothness of Okumidori, or deep umami of Uji-Hikari, understanding the differences between cultivars empowers you to find the perfect matcha for any occasion. Take the time to explore the diverse world of matcha and savor the taste that best suits your personal ritual. With the right cultivar, every cup of matcha becomes a delightful journey into flavor, tradition, and mindfulness.