宝寿 “Houju” means “Happy Treasure,” and it is the most precious Uji matcha produced by our friend Hisaki Horii, an 8th-generation gyokuro and matcha producer. He runs his family’s Uji, Kyoto-based tea business, Hekisuien, which was established in 1867. Only the highest-quality hand-picked tencha from the Joyo area of Uji is selected to create this premium matcha.

Mr. Horii’s philosophy and specialization is not focused on single-cultivar or single-farm origins but on blending various cultivars of exceptional quality and richness. His matcha blends are outstanding examples of how an artisan tea master’s blend can be greater than the sum of its individual lots. His matcha follows traditional vintage aging and blending practices, with each year’s allocations incorporating different materials and vintages while maintaining a consistently exceptional expression.

His style of producing high-end matcha and gyokuro utilizes only local Uji cultivars that are hand-picked and shaded by tana frame-and-thatch. The vivid depth of blue-green seen in this matcha reflects the meticulous cultivation and care behind its production. The energy of this matcha is high and heady, with a special floral vibrancy and vanilla-cream taste.