Obukucha by Maruyasu (New Year Limited Edition)

Obukucha (大福茶) – New Year Limited Edition is a ceremonial-grade matcha created exclusively for the Japanese New Year celebration by Maruyasu Tea, the historic tea producer from Omi, Shiga Prefecture. This seasonal blend marries the elegant creaminess of Asahi cultivar with the smooth, traditional umami of Samidori cultivar—two of Uji's most prestigious tea varieties—resulting in a light-bodied usucha with complex fruity aromatics, subtle toasty notes, gentle creaminess, and a mellow, slightly astringent finish that embodies the spirit of renewal and good fortune.

The Obukucha Tradition:

Obukucha, meaning "Good Fortune Tea," carries over 1,000 years of history dating back to 951 AD, when Buddhist priest Kūya distributed tea during a devastating epidemic in Kyoto to help people recover. Emperor Murakami drank this special tea at New Year and was cured, establishing the tradition of drinking Ōbukucha on the first days of the year for good health and prosperity. Originally spelled 皇服茶 (the tea the Emperor drinks), it evolved into 大福茶 (great fortune tea), symbolizing the wish for happiness, good health, and fortune in the coming year. This tradition continues today throughout Japan, particularly in Kyoto, where tea is ceremonially served at temples and homes to usher in blessings for the new year.

Why This Limited Edition Matcha:

• Perfect for: New Year celebrations, tea ceremonies, meaningful gift-giving during the holiday season, special gatherings with family and friends, and anyone seeking to participate in an authentic Japanese cultural tradition with over a millennium of history.
• Prestigious Cultivar Blend: Combines Asahi—known for its elegant, creamy character and exceptional smoothness—with Samidori—celebrated for its traditional Kyoto-style umami, creating a harmonious balance of refinement and depth found only in premium Uji matcha.
• Complex Aromatic Profile: Opens with fruity notes reminiscent of peach and apricot, followed by nutty undertones and light toasty accents from the aging process—a sophisticated sensory experience that sets this seasonal blend apart from everyday matcha.
• Light-Bodied Usucha Character: Slightly astringent yet gentle on the palate with smooth creaminess—accessible for matcha beginners while offering complexity that ceremonial tea enthusiasts appreciate, making it perfect for New Year gatherings and special occasions.
• Seasonal Limited Availability: Released exclusively during the winter holiday season to honor the ancient tradition—a rare opportunity to experience a matcha crafted specifically for celebration, renewal, and auspicious beginnings.
• Heritage Craftsmanship: From Maruyasu Tea, established 1872 in Tsuchiyama along the historic Tōkaidō route—over 150 years of tea-making expertise combining traditional stone-grinding methods with careful cultivar selection from Shiga Prefecture's tea fields.
• Ceremonial Grade Quality: Mellow, no sharp or bitter notes—suitable for both traditional usucha preparation and koicha thick tea, offering versatility for tea ceremony practitioners and home tea lovers alike.
• Symbolic Significance: Share this matcha with family and friends to honor Japanese New Year customs, bringing wishes of good fortune, health, and happiness—a meaningful gift that carries centuries of cultural tradition and blessings for the year ahead.