by Kawaguchi Kinsuien川口金水園
Kawaguchi Kinsuien's Yame Matcha (八女抹茶) is a stone-milled ceremonial matcha sourced from the Yame region of Fukuoka — one of Japan's most prestigious tencha-growing areas, famous for the same nutrient-rich mountain mist and shading techniques that produce their award-winning gyokuro. Though offered primarily in tea bag format (8g × 50 and 100 bag packs), the matcha itself is produced from first-flush Yame tencha and carries the hallmark character of the region: pronounced umami, natural sweetness, minimal bitterness, and a rich, lingering finish. As a small family producer, production is limited and frequently sells out.
Editorial verdict
A genuine Yame matcha from a family producer celebrated for hand-rolling mastery. Rare and worth seeking out — the regional depth of Yame comes through clearly even in a tea bag format.
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Rich umami, mellow sweetness, low bitterness, characteristic Yame depth
Other blends from Yame
Kawaguchi Kinsuien Shop — Matcha Tea Bags
Supports: Matcha tea bag format (8g×50 and 8g×100 bags), Yame origin, frequently sold out
About the brand
川口金水園
Kawaguchi Kinsuien (川口金水園) is a fourth-generation family tea producer based in Kuroki Town, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, founded on January 1, 1951. Located deep in the mountainous Kuroki district of southwestern Yame — the heart of Japan's finest shaded-tea country — the family business specializes in authentic Yame tea (八女茶), producing and selling sencha, gyokuro, shiraore, and matcha directly from their growing area. What sets Kawaguchi Kinsuien apart is their mastery of the near-extinct art of hand-rolling: the current owner Kawaguchi Kenji is one of only a handful of producers designated as an official 'Yame Tea Hand-Rolling Technique Holder' (八女茶手揉み技術保存者). In this traditional method, freshly steamed tea leaves are rolled and dried by hand on a heated paper board called a hoiro at around 100°C, building depth of flavor impossible to replicate with machines. The brand ships its Yame teas nationwide through direct mail-order, maintaining the local spirit of a family farm with national reach.
View all Kawaguchi Kinsuien blendsRich umami, mellow sweetness, low bitterness, characteristic Yame depth
Yame Matcha is sourced from Yame, Japan.
Yame Matcha is recommended for usucha. Thin tea — the standard way to prepare matcha, whisked with about 2g of powder and 70ml of water.
You can buy Kawaguchi Kinsuien Yame Matcha directly from Kawaguchi Kinsuien's official website. Current availability: Seasonal / Limited.