Organic Kyoufu Tencha — Whole Leaf Matcha

Tencha is the leaf tea that becomes Matcha — grown, harvested, and processed specifically for stone-ground, ceremonial-grade Matcha. This Kyoufu Tencha is the exact Tencha we use to make our best-selling Organic Royal Matcha. You can grind it yourself at home with an Ishiusu for freshly milled matcha whenever you want — or enjoy it as a whole leaf tea, which is a hidden gem few tea drinkers get to taste.

Like Gyokuro and Kabusecha, Tencha is shade-grown for about 20–30 days before harvest. Farmers cover the bushes with straw mats or black netting to block sunlight, slow growth, and boost the theanine that creates Tencha’s deep umami sweetness and vivid green color.

Unlike most Japanese green teas, Tencha is never rolled or roasted. The leaves stay flat and open, making them easy to grind evenly into a fine, bright green powder.

Traditionally, Tencha is ground with a stone mill (Ishiusu, 石臼). This traditional, slow process protects the tea from friction heat, keeping the matcha fresh, vibrant, and smooth. A single hand mill makes just 30–40 grams of matcha an hour — but the result is a silky powder that whisks into a vivid green, delicately sweet bowl.

Organic Tencha is rare, since shading, hand-picking, and careful pest control are all demanding to do organically. Only a handful of small farms in Uji, Kyoto, and Kagoshima produce certified organic Tencha today. 

When brewed like Sencha, this Tencha is clean and delicate with a silky texture. Its taste is distinct from Sencha or Gyokuro: the first sip brings a soft, sweet vegetal note like fresh edamame, followed by a gentle, savory layer that reminds us of grilled corn. The finish is smooth and clean, with a light, lingering floral note. There’s almost no bitterness, no grassy edge — and even if you over-steep it, it stays mellow and sweet.

How to Brew Tencha (Sencha-Style)

• Tea: 5g

• Water: 180–200 ml in a teapot or kyusu at 165°F (73°C)

• Steep Time: 17–20 seconds

• You can get 2-3 steeps from the same leaves.

Whether you enjoy it as a rare brewed tea or freshly mill it into your own Matcha at home, this Organic Kyoufu Tencha is an elegant taste of organic Japanese tea craftsmanship at its purest.