VerifiedOrganicTraditionalPremium

Kyoei Seicha

共栄製茶株式会社共栄製茶

Kyoei Seicha (共栄製茶株式会社) is the company behind the celebrated Morihan (森半) brand — one of Japan's most storied tea houses, founded in 1836 (Tenpo 7) by Morishita Hansaemon in Ogura-cho, Uji, Kyoto, the very birthplace of gyokuro. Today operating under representative Morishita Yasuhiro with approximately 105 employees, Kyoei Seicha manufactures and sells matcha, green tea, coffee, and black tea under multiple brands including Morihan, Minton, and MJB. Their Morihan matcha lineup is exceptional in depth: it spans single-cultivar ceremonial teas (Hoshun, Asatsuyu, Komakage), tea-school-endorsed ceremony grades for both Omotesenke and Urasenke, organic JAS-certified Uji and Kyoto Minamiyamashiro matchas, and accessible everyday practice grades. Kyoei Seicha has won the National Tea Judging Competition championship twice and received the Agricultural Minister's Award. They pioneered cold-brewed 'ice tea' (kooricha) in the 1930s and claimed the world's first foaming matcha latte. In 2023, they opened TEA SQUARE MORIHAN, a matcha café and heritage tea space in Uji.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 共栄製茶株式会社
Founded: 1836
Headquarters: Uji, Kyoto
Origin regions: Uji
Certifications: JAS Organic
Official site: www.kyoeiseicha.co.jp
Ships to: Japan
Price/gram range: ¥20–¥270/g
Blends tracked: 6

Origin regionsUji

CertificationsJAS Organic

Brand Flavor Trends

Average across 6 scored blends. Individual blend scores may vary significantly.

Blend Lineup

6 blends

Where to Buy Kyoei Seicha in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Uji, Kyoto

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kyoei Seicha been producing matcha?: Kyoei Seicha was founded in 1836, making it over 190 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Uji, Kyoto.
Where is Kyoei Seicha matcha grown?: Kyoei Seicha sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
What tea cultivars does Kyoei Seicha use?: Kyoei Seicha works with 2 tea cultivars: Asatsuyu, Hoshun. Different cultivars contribute distinct umami, sweetness, and color profiles to each blend.
Is Kyoei Seicha matcha stone-milled?: Yes, all Kyoei Seicha matcha is stone-milled (石臼挽き). Stone grinding at low RPM preserves the tea's color, aroma, and umami by avoiding heat damage during processing.
Does Kyoei Seicha offer single-origin matcha?: Yes, all of Kyoei Seicha's blends are single-origin, meaning the tea leaves come from one specific farm or region rather than being blended across multiple sources.
What does Kyoei Seicha matcha taste like?: Across its lineup, Kyoei Seicha matcha tends toward color (8.2/10) with notable umami (7.7/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.
Which Kyoei Seicha matcha is best for lattes?: Kyoei Seicha has 2 blends suitable for lattes: Okeiko, Organic Uji Matcha. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.
How many matcha products does Kyoei Seicha offer?: Kyoei Seicha currently offers 6 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Koicha, Everyday). The lineup ranges from Asatsuyu to Organic Uji Matcha, covering different preparation styles and price points.
Why is Kyoei Seicha matcha more expensive?: Kyoei Seicha matcha ranges from ¥20 to ¥270 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods — and Kyoei Seicha's 190-year heritage.
Where does Kyoei Seicha ship to?: Kyoei Seicha ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Kyoei Seicha matcha in Japan?: Kyoei Seicha has 6 retail locations in Japan, including Kyoei tea Higashiyama factory in Uji.
Is Kyoei Seicha matcha organic?: Yes, Kyoei Seicha matcha is certified organic, meaning it is produced without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kyoei Seicha Corporate Site

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Company overview, Morihan brand, founded 1836, Uji Kyoto

Morihan Official Shop

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Full matcha product lineup with prices

Kyoto Prefecture Business Introduction

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 96%

Supports: National Tea Judging Competition champion twice, Agricultural Minister's Award, 105 employees, founding year 1836

Compare brands

How does Kyoei Seicha compare?

See side-by-side comparisons of blends across brands on our compare pages.

Browse comparisons →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kyoei Seicha been producing matcha?

Kyoei Seicha was founded in 1836, making it over 190 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Uji, Kyoto.

Where is Kyoei Seicha matcha grown?

Kyoei Seicha sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

What tea cultivars does Kyoei Seicha use?

Kyoei Seicha works with 2 tea cultivars: Asatsuyu, Hoshun. Different cultivars contribute distinct umami, sweetness, and color profiles to each blend.

Is Kyoei Seicha matcha stone-milled?

Yes, all Kyoei Seicha matcha is stone-milled (石臼挽き). Stone grinding at low RPM preserves the tea's color, aroma, and umami by avoiding heat damage during processing.

Does Kyoei Seicha offer single-origin matcha?

Yes, all of Kyoei Seicha's blends are single-origin, meaning the tea leaves come from one specific farm or region rather than being blended across multiple sources.

What does Kyoei Seicha matcha taste like?

Across its lineup, Kyoei Seicha matcha tends toward color (8.2/10) with notable umami (7.7/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.

Which Kyoei Seicha matcha is best for lattes?

Kyoei Seicha has 2 blends suitable for lattes: Okeiko, Organic Uji Matcha. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.

How many matcha products does Kyoei Seicha offer?

Kyoei Seicha currently offers 6 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Koicha, Everyday). The lineup ranges from Asatsuyu to Organic Uji Matcha, covering different preparation styles and price points.

Why is Kyoei Seicha matcha more expensive?

Kyoei Seicha matcha ranges from ¥20 to ¥270 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods — and Kyoei Seicha's 190-year heritage.

Where does Kyoei Seicha ship to?

Kyoei Seicha ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.

Where can I buy Kyoei Seicha matcha in Japan?

Kyoei Seicha has 6 retail locations in Japan, including Kyoei tea Higashiyama factory in Uji.

Is Kyoei Seicha matcha organic?

Yes, Kyoei Seicha matcha is certified organic, meaning it is produced without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kyoei Seicha Corporate Site

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Company overview, Morihan brand, founded 1836, Uji Kyoto

Morihan Official Shop

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Full matcha product lineup with prices

Kyoto Prefecture Business Introduction

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 96%

Supports: National Tea Judging Competition champion twice, Agricultural Minister's Award, 105 employees, founding year 1836

Kyoei Seicha

Brand Facts

Brand Flavor Trends

Blend Lineup

Where to Buy Kyoei Seicha in Japan

Uji, Kyoto

Osaka

宇治市, 京都府

Shibuya, Tokyo

Toyonaka, Osaka

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Sources (3)

How does Kyoei Seicha compare?

Kyoei Seicha

Brand Facts

Brand Flavor Trends

Blend Lineup

Where to Buy Kyoei Seicha in Japan

Uji, Kyoto

Osaka

宇治市, 京都府

Shibuya, Tokyo

Toyonaka, Osaka

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Sources (3)

How does Kyoei Seicha compare?