{"product_id":"asahi-competition","title":"ASAHI（朝日）","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFrom a Kyoto estate with over 350 years of heritage, Asahi represents a competition-level expression of tencha cultivation—defined by precision, restraint, and structural depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSituated in the historic Kizu River basin, the estate benefits from mineral-rich alluvial soil, excellent drainage, and pronounced day–night temperature variation. These conditions slow leaf development, allowing for higher amino acid accumulation and a more refined internal composition within each leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe estate has been recognized at Japan’s highest-level tea competitions, including the National Tea Fair (Tencha Division), and is a recipient of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award—one of the most distinguished honors in Japanese tea production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOnly first harvest leaves are selected through traditional hand-picking. This allows precise control over leaf maturity and eliminates coarse fibers, resulting in greater clarity and a smoother, more controlled texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA double-layer shading method is applied prior to harvest. By gradually reducing light exposure, L-theanine and chlorophyll levels increase while bitterness is suppressed—deepening umami, softening sweetness, and stabilizing the overall structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eProduction is intentionally limited, allowing consistency to be maintained at every stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eStone-milled in small batches under controlled conditions, the matcha achieves exceptional fineness. The texture is dense and velvety, with a quiet sense of weight and cohesion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eDeep emerald in tone, with a thick, creamy body. Refined sweetness unfolds alongside soft, oceanic umami, supported by a stable and composed structure. The finish is long, controlled, and enduring—leaving a lasting impression of depth, purity, and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e⸻\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Competition · Single Cultivar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eKumiyama, Kyoto — Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e First Harvest (Ichibancha) · Hand-Picked · Double-Layer Shading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep Emerald · Thick Cream · Refined Sweetness · Umami\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense · Velvety · Structured · Profound · Long Finish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcessing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Double-Layer Shading · Hand-Picked · Stone-Milled\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Koicha\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20g\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SO MATCHA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52247495770399,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/9328\/4383\/files\/Hojicha_F_1edd9093-b881-468b-8e77-21acfc8cef84.jpg?v=1778669326","url":"https:\/\/somatchaofficial.com\/products\/asahi-competition","provider":"SO MATCHA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}