Naoki Matcha (Seasonal First Spring Blend, 1.4oz / 40g) – Authentic Japanese Matcha Green Tea Powder Ceremonial Grade from Kagoshima, Japan

I like Naoki First Spring Blend matcha a lot, at least as koicha (thick matcha). I’m not as excited about it as usucha (thin matcha). First, the koicha. It’s amazing! That said, I have to be in the right mood for it. The flavor is very bold, one of the boldest matchas I’ve had. It’s a seasonal spring blend, but the taste always reminds me of a grassy meadow in late summer. The endless aftertaste is pleasant and invigorating. As usucha, First Spring Blend is not as outstanding. It’s fine, but it’s a little mild. Given it’s strong koicha characteristics, it seems wasteful to use it as usucha. I should also note that Naoki’s packaging is beautiful. They make my favorite matcha containers. I always save the tins when I’m done with the matcha.

Due to my personal opinion and experience, I have been disappointed by this matcha. I have been present at tea auctions and visited matcha factories in Japan and I can tell that this is an inexpensive matcha, not the highest grade and quality I am used to. If you don't know the grades of matcha, it doesn't make any difference. This matcha is smooth, but umami is still average. Actually I noticed that the high grade matchas do tend to be bitter at first but finish in a sweeter umami taste. Unless they have a higher grade version (kotobuki grade), I am not sure if this is actually for me. However I will rate it 4 stars, as it is pretty smooth for the price.

So when I first looked to Amazon to order my usual batch of tea I happen to see the Naoki brand Matcha. I looked at the reviews and pictures they had on display and said o.k let me give this brand a try. I am content with the brand I currently purchase because I have not found any other brand as good. So I order the Naoki and to my surprise not only was there way more in the container, the color of the Matcha was vibrant and the aroma was light yet alluring. I took my smallest measuring spoon and spooned out some and tasted the product and I was shocked. The quality was rather good. I then proceeded to make me a cup of Matcha and I have to say this brand has some quality backing it. I will be trying their other ceremonial MATCHA products. Great job Naoki...You all have a new customer on board.

I've tried 3 different matchas including this one and drank matcha occasionally growing up. This matcha is the most bitter of the 3 I've recently tried (1 from a local tea shop, the other is Ippodo Matcha - Balanced - Ikuyo-no-mukashi). I liked the other two but the 1st tasted like seaweed and the 2nd was so balanced it didn't have much flavor. This one was really bitter when I tried it with just hot water. I tasted nothing but bitterness. I drink it as a latte with a teaspoon of sugar in 6 oz. It tastes good as a latte but it's not good quality matcha. It lacks the complexity in flavor of good matcha. It should be a mix of umami, bitterness and sweetness. The description for this one in the table that shows all their different matchas, this one is "Balanced nutty flavor with a touch of bitterness", which I really disagree with.Other than flavor, matcha was a good, vibrant green (indicates high level of chlorophyll from leaves, not old and oxidized). It was finely ground. I use a sieve to get rid of clumps then use an electric whisk.

I'm a huge tea lover and tea collector. Black, green, red, white or herbal tea - I love them all. However, most of the matcha teas that I tried before were either too bitter, too clumpy or just not what I liked. Since I discovered the NAOKI Matcha ceremonial teas I became addicted to them!!! The flavor is so superior to the other brands, and the packaging is lovely. I highly recommend this brand, particularly the Organic one and First Spring.

Here is a beautiful matcha blend from the Kagoshima region on the island of Kyushu, Japan.Kagoshima is famous for growing some of the best green tea in the world. In this area of Japan it's quite volcanic and as a result the island of Kyushu has the most natural hot springs (onsens) in all of Japan and also is blessed with having some of the best volcanic soil for growing green tea in all of Japan.Naoki Matcha brings you a beautiful blend of craft matchas, from the mountainous Chiran region of Kagoshima prefecture.It's definitely a very vibrant green matcha, that brings notes of spring and bright sweet grass without any bitter astringency.It can be prepared as a (koicha) which is more of an espresso way of drinking matcha, (usucha) which is more of like an americano style of enjoying matcha, or as a cold brew. All of which are great and different in their own right.I highly recommend to you, if you appreciate good matcha to get one of these before they're gone.

The only downside is the packaging; I wish it came in a resealable bag. I can't imagine the steel container would keep it air tight and fresh.However it's much better than store-bought matcha that's been sitting on a shelf. It foams easily and the scent reminds me of spring.

Price is right but the flavor is too bitter. You taste strong bitterness up front and it lingers. The Naomi Fragrant Yame blend is better IMO.