History
Founded by an American and his Japanese wife, Kettl has become one of the premier Japanese tea companies in the United States, with tea houses in both New York and Los Angeles. The company works directly with small Japanese producers and is known for sourcing exceptional teas that are often difficult to find elsewhere. Their locations even house traditional stone mills used to grind tencha into fresh matcha, preserving a centuries-old method that produces an exceptionally fine powder.
This matcha is made from the Saemidori cultivar and produced by Shuichiro Sakamoto, one of Japan's most respected tea growers.
Flavor
This matcha is deeply umami-forward with pronounced sweetness, balanced by just a hint of saltiness and bitterness and virtually no astringency. It has layers of nutty, lightly smoky flavors alongside subtle fruity notes that remind me of cherries. It is one of the most complex and satisfying matchas I have tasted.
My Thoughts
This tea is exceptional, especially considering its price. It makes one of my favorite usuchas and my single favorite koicha. If you're ever in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, I highly recommend stopping by Kettl for a bowl of matcha or to browse their selection of Japanese teas. It is one of my favorite tea shops anywhere, and a place that every serious tea enthusiast should visit at least once.