Ocha & Co. Single Cultivar Yabukita.

This is an exceptionally well-made Shizuoka Yabukita. For context, Yabukita is the most common tea cultivar in Japan and is typically reserved for Sencha or lower-grade cooking matcha. The fact that Ocha & Co. has managed to wrestle a premium ceremonial offering out of it is impressive and fully justifies the price tag.

Visuals:
As you can see from my photo, the colour is incredibly vivid. It has those soft, fresh clumps in the powder that indicate high quality, which translates to a vibrant neon green suspension in the glass.

Taste:
I prepared this as usucha at 80C using an electric frother. It is starkly different from their standard organic Gokou tin! You get a highly toasted, nutty profile that sits on a surprisingly smooth and heavy texture. It has real weight on the palate but snaps shut with a super clean finish.

You are definitely paying for the artisanal craftsmanship here rather than a rare plant breed. They have taken a workhorse cultivar and processed it into a luxury experience. A strong 4 stars.