“Shuppin” is Japanese for “competition grade.” This top-shelf Uji Gyokuro comes from our friend Mr. Hisaki Horii, an 8th-generation Gyokuro and Matcha producer. Horii-san leads his family’s Kyoto-based tea business, Hekisuien, which was established in 1867 and is renowned for its mastery of traditional Gyokuro and Matcha production. This exceptional Gyokuro is a vintage blend composed of 90% hand-picked teas and 10% scissor-harvested high-end lots from the Kyotanabe, Ujitawara, and Maizuru regions of Kyoto Prefecture. Each micro-lot in the blend was selected from competition-grade teas specifically crafted for Kyoto’s annual tea contest. The inclusion of aged tea portions lends a rich depth and long-lasting umami sweetness, which harmonizes beautifully with the fresh, lively character of newer vintages. The luxurious taste of this blend is primarily derived from the Gokou cultivar, while the Tsuyuhikari and Houshun cultivars contribute layers of brightness, complexity, and aromatic refinement to the 2025 Shuppin Gyokuro vintage.
