Introduction
At Nara Tea, our mission has always been to share the authentic heart of Japanese tea culture with our community here in the United States. As an official retailer of Marukyu Koyamaen, one of Japan’s most respected and historic matcha producers, we see it as our responsibility to preserve and communicate the true meaning of matcha—beyond trends, hashtags, or aesthetics.
Recently, The New York Times published an article highlighting the global surge in matcha demand and the challenges this rapid growth has brought to the tea industry. While the world has fallen in love with the vivid green powder, few understand the centuries of craftsmanship, discipline, and spiritual philosophy that give matcha its soul.
The Global Matcha Boom
Matcha’s popularity has skyrocketed worldwide—praised for its health benefits, beautiful color, and versatility in lattes, pastries, and smoothies. Yet behind the growing demand lies a complex reality: small, family-run farms and traditional tea makers are struggling to maintain quality and authenticity while meeting mass-market expectations.
Some of Japan’s oldest tea houses, including Marukyu Koyamaen (founded in 1704), have even had to combat counterfeit products and unauthorized resellers online. These fake matchas—often made from ordinary green tea ground into yellowish powder—damage the reputation of genuine artisans and mislead customers about what real matcha should taste like.
The Heritage of Marukyu Koyamaen
For over three centuries, Marukyu Koyamaen has cultivated and refined tea in the historic fields of Uji, Kyoto—the birthplace of Japanese matcha. Their teas are shaded, hand-picked, and slowly stone-milled to preserve the delicate aroma and umami that define true ceremonial-grade matcha.
At Nara Tea, we are proud to represent Marukyu Koyamaen in the U.S. as a bridge between Japan’s timeless tea traditions and modern American tea culture. Our mission is to:
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Introduce Marukyu Koyamaen’s authentic teas to households, cafés, and culinary creators in the U.S.
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Present matcha not as a “trend” but as an experience rooted in respect, mindfulness, and connection.
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Ensure that customers receive genuine, fresh matcha through official and trusted channels.
What We Want to Share
1. Understanding True Value
High-quality matcha is not simply “green and pretty.” It is the result of meticulous shading, careful processing, and generations of knowledge. Each tin of Marukyu Koyamaen matcha reflects harmony between nature and human skill.
2. Cultural Integrity in the U.S. Market
In the West, matcha often appears as a sweet latte or dessert ingredient. But behind that foam lies centuries of tea ceremony practice—the spirit of wa, kei, sei, and jaku (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility). We aim to reintroduce that essence to the American audience through workshops, curated tea tools, and meaningful storytelling.
Wa Kei Sei Jaku
3. Trust the Official Source
With counterfeit and gray-market matcha spreading online, authenticity matters more than ever. When you purchase Marukyu Koyamaen tea from Nara Tea, you can trust that it has been properly handled, stored, and shipped directly through authorized channels—ensuring freshness, quality, and integrity.
How We Share This Culture
Tea Workshops in Portland – Learn how to whisk and enjoy matcha the traditional way, using Marukyu Koyamaen ceremonial teas
In Closing
As the world embraces matcha, we believe it is more important than ever to protect the legacy behind it. True matcha is not just about color or caffeine—it’s about connection. It reminds us to pause, to breathe, to appreciate the quiet beauty of a single cup.
At Nara Tea, we remain deeply honored to represent Marukyu Koyamaen, carrying forward their centuries-old philosophy and offering it sincerely to our community here in the United States.
Experience harmony, one bowl at a time.
— Mari Kawamura
Nara Tea / LYC Japanese Artisans Gift
at our Nara Tea shop