Single-cultivar Matcha from Yame, Fukuoka, Japan (KUMAEN)

This Kirari 31 matcha is a rare single-cultivar release from KUMAEN — and the first time the farm is making Kirari 31 into a matcha. In the bowl it feels clear and precise: soft body, straightforward sweetness, and a clean finish that stays light on the palate.

Kirari 31 is a modern cultivar (a cross of Sakimidori × Saemidori) with higher amino acids and lower catechins than Yabukita, which translates into more umami and less bitterness — ideal if you want intensity without harshness. It is know for its balanced chestnut note.

KUMAEN is also the producer behind Yame’s traditional Dentō Hon Gyokuro, a category defined by strict craftsmanship such as honzu straw shading and hand-picking, and the farm has a long track record of top-level competition recognition for their gyokuro and matcha.

Producer: KUMAEN (Yamecha Kumaen)

Origin: Joyomachi, Yame, Fukuoka, Japan

Elevation: 350 m

Cultivar: Kirari31

Harvest: May 2025

Shading: ca. 21 days

Picking: Machine-Harvest