Hekisui 碧翠 translates to “blue-green” or “sapphire green jade precious stone.” It is one of the most remarkable matcha grades we import from Uji, crafted by our longtime friend Hisaki Horii, an 8th-generation Gyokuro and Matcha producer. Horii-san leads his family’s Kyoto-based tea company, Hekisuien, which was established in 1867.

Only prestigious lots of hand-picked tencha from the Joyo area of Uji are selected to create this premium matcha. Mr. Horii’s philosophy and specialization are not focused on single-cultivar production but rather on blending various cultivars of exceptional quality, richness, and traditional vintage aging. Each year, his allocations use different materials and vintages, yet his expression of superb quality remains consistently outstanding.

His style of producing high-end Matcha and Gyokuro relies solely on local Uji cultivars that are hand-picked and shaded using the traditional tana frame-and-thatch method. The lovely blue-green color of this matcha showcases meticulous cultivation and careful production. The energy of this matcha is fantastic, and its taste is particularly special—vibrant, rich in umami, with subtle floral Gyokuro notes.

Hekisui Matcha stands among the top-class Uji matcha, rivaled only by Houju (“happy treasure”), which is also crafted by Mr. Horii.